Happy New Year!

As always...a look back at the year in projects, some big some little, but all near and dear to my heart.

Wip Wednesday

Crocheting(and knitting!) ADD

This time of year my cup runneth over. It's filled with friends, festivities, and projects! I seem to jump from one to another. So not like me, for those of you who follow, I am a finisher. I start, at the max 3 projects, and then complete each one, before moving on to the next great thing, so this has flustered me. Here's a peek at some of the madness...



White scarf and hat set for my niece in Colorado....done!
"Baby its cold outside snowman" free pattern form the 'ville...not done....

Six of my Santa ornaments I designed this year, gifts for my co-workers, done!

I also dusted off my knitting needles and started, completed the Loopy scarf from Patons. I am wanting to make a matching hat for it too. maybe the one button Banana Republic knock-off. I also downloaded a felted beret from Ravelry. I am anxious to start my first felting project. My sis is doing the same project from her home down north of Wichita, so we'll have to compare notes as we go - kind of a sister crochet-a-long. Here are the first 2 rows of the beret:

Here is a close up of the yarn I used for the loopy scarf:
Here is a shot of the entire scarf...done!
There you have it, a little of this and that. I can't wait to show you more "Done"! :-)

Oh, I almost forget DH got my Trans-Siberian Orchestra tickets for my b-day. The concert is tonight...can't wait!!!

Thank you for all the positive comments and support. Enjoy your family and friends.

It's beginning to look a lot like ........

Christmas!

Using the same shape as my Christmas Tree pattern, I made up a Santa ornament. Kind of folksy, I'm still playing with the design. Look for more to come.......

Today was my last day of school before the Thanksgiving break. Woot! Woot! I will be baking bread and getting ready to feast. Dinner will be here at 1:00 pm on Thursday.

Santa gnome-free pattern

Materials:
G hook
WW yarn in red, white, peach, and black
9mm safety eyes
Polyester stuffing
Needle
Embroidery thread

Special stitches:
Loop stitch: I used this great tutorial:
http://www.planetjune.com/blog/how-to-crochet-loop-stitch/
Step 1: Grasp the yarn with your left hand and, with your right hand, wrap the yarn clockwise around your left index finger to make a loop. Insert the hook into the stitch so there are two loops on the hook. Rotate the hook clockwise -- in the opposite direction from the way you usually would -- so it goes over the yarn.
Step 2: Pass the hook behind the yarn held by your left index finger. Catch both strands with the hook, and pull them both through the stitch. You should now have 3 loops on your hook
Step 3: You and pull the strand through all loops on the hook.

Front:
Worked in rows.
Chain 4 , turn
Row 1-Sc in 2nd chain from hook, sc in next 2 chains (3sc) turn, ch. 1
Row 2-sc in first sc, then sc in next sc, then 2 sc in last sc, turn, ch. 1
Row 3-sc in first sc, then sc in next 2 stitches, 2sc in last stitch, turn, ch. 1
Row 4-sc in first sc, then sc in next 3 stitches, 2sc in last stitch, turn, ch. 1
Continue this stitch pattern until you have a triangle 21 stitches wide at the base.
Approximately 19 rows.
Attach peach color for face, turn, ch.1
Row 20- sc in every stitch (20 sc) turn, ch. 1
Row 21-28 repeat Row 20.
Attach white for beard, turn, ch. 1
Row 29-Loop stitch in first sc, repeat across (20 lp. st.), turn, ch.1
Row 30-sc in each stitch across, (20sc) turn, ch. 1
Row 31-Loop stitch in first sc, repeat across (20 lp. st.), turn, ch.1
Row 32-sc in each stitch across, (20sc) turn, ch. 1
Row 33-Loop stitch in first sc, repeat across(20 lp. st.), turn, ch. 1
Row 34- sc in each sc across, (20sc)
Attach black, for belt, turn, ch.1
Row 35-39 sc in each sc across(20sc)
Attach red turn, ch.1
Row 40- sc in each sc across(20sc), turn, ch. 1
Dividing the legs:
Row 41- sc in first 9 stitches, turn, ch. 1
Row 42-45 repeat row 41
Fasten off.

Leg #2
Attach red yarn at last sc opposite other leg to start row 41.
Row 41a-sc in first 9 sc,(9sc) turn, ch.1
Rows 42a-45a-repeat row 41a
Fasten off

Work on face:
Attach 9mm safety eyes between rows 5 & 6.
Embroider mouth in center of row 9.

Nose:
With peach, chain 2.
Work 6sc in second chain from hook,

Rnd. 1-work 2sc in each stitch around(12sc)

Fasten off.
Leave long tail for attaching to face.
With a yarn needle, weave the tail in and out every other stitch around the just finished round of the nose, pull gently, so it coaxes the stitches into a round ball. Attach to center of face between the eyes and mouth.

Back:
Worked in rows:
With red, ch 4.,turn
Row 1-Sc in 2nd chain from hook, sc in next 2 chains (3sc) turn, ch. 1
Row 2-sc in first sc, then sc in next sc, then 2 sc in last sc, turn, ch. 1
Row 3-sc in first sc, then sc in next 2 stitches, 2sc in last stitch, turn, ch. 1
Row 4-sc in first sc, then sc in next 3 stitches, 2sc in last stitch, turn, ch. 1
Continue this stitch pattern until you have a triangle 21 stitches wide at the base.
Row 20 (stop all increases) sc in each stitch across(20sc) turn, ch.1
Row 21-40 repeat row 20
Dividing legs: hold front and back pieces together at this time and make sure they match up evenly. The division for the legs needs to match up for when you stitch the front and back together later
Row 41- sc in first 9 stitches, turn, ch. 1
Row 42-45 repeat row 41
Fasten off.

Leg #2
Attach red yarn at last sc opposite other leg to start row 41.
Row 41a-sc in first 9 sc,(9sc) turn, ch.1
Rows 42a-45a-repeat row 41a
Fasten off.

Arms: (make 2)
Worked in continuous spiral, do not join.
With white, magic ring and single crochet 6 into center.
Row 1- 2sc in each sc around(12sc)
Row2- 2sc in next stitch, then sc, repeat around (18sc)
Row3-5 single crochet in each stitch around
Row 6- sc dec, then sc in next stitch, repeat around (12sc)
Row 7-sc-dec in each stitch around(6sc)
Attach red yarn,
Row 8-12 single crochet in each around
Fasten off.

Assembly:
With right sides facing out, line up the front and backs.
Whip stitch together.
I usually start at the top of the triangle, then proceed down one entire side, over and around both legs and come up around the next side leaving about a 2 inch wide opening so I can insert stuffing. I use the eraser end of a pencil to make sure this leg have stuffing in the corners. Next, I continue my whip-stitching until the opening is almost closed, then I finish stuffing. Close up final stitches.

Attach arms to both sides of gnome.

Making a pom-pom for top of hat:

Using 3 inch square piece of cardboard , wrap white yarn around at least 50 times, more if you want a fuller pom-pom. Cut yarn. Thread needle with a 6 inch piece of yarn, draw underneath one side of the yarn on the cardboard, remove needle, tie ends of this yarn in a really tight knot. Before sliding loops off cardboard, snip the ends of all the loops on both ends of cardboard. Remove cardboard. Shake the pom-pom by holding the yarn that secures the pom-pom in the middle. Trim up, until you achieve the fullness you want. Attach to top of hat.

Sneak peek of what's coming.....

Flower Box Afghan-complete!!!

Christmas gift for my niece!!!

me & taylor

Slowly but surely......

Hi! Long time no blog because we blew our USB ports in our home PC so uploading pictures has been nil. I am working on my work laptop this weekend.

I have several projects going on, but can only post about this afghan. You may have seen it in earlier posts here and here. I am making progress, since it is a Christmas gift I guess the urgency hasn't kicked in yet. I have all the squares connected into strip and have 2 stiched together. I am very happy with the results so far. I sure hope my niece will like it. The colors match her room perfectly.

I love decorating for fall. Here is how my front doorstep turned out this year:
Trick ot treating with friends:

More to come.....

Senior moments.......

Not the kind some of us may think! Remeber when, you could sing along with every new song out? You died a thousand deaths on Valentine's Day until you got your first card? Life ended when you didn't get a call to go somewhere on Friday night? The most awesome pair of jeans cost $49.99? Oh, life was so traumatic! To be a senior in High School again....how many of us would go back?

Her is my darling DD, in all her senior glory. I think she looks darling. She sees an awkward, gawky gal. Too tall, too skinny......I feel her pain. Dentists tell her her teeth are too small and need to be capped. What??? A beautiful smile, that is all her own? They want to lay over big, porcelein teeth? Her friends tell her she has no figure. What? Tall and lean, a perfect clothes hanger for all the new styles. Media tells her she's not fabulous. Why not try fake nails, Fake tan? Oh sure, destroy the nails on those long, lithe fingers and start the melanoma already. But, I digress, I am so proud of her and the young woman she has become and will one day be.

Christmas Tree Ornament or Package Topper: Free Pattern

Christmas Tree Ornament or Package Topper

Original pattern by Caroline Chrisco

Materials:
“G” Hook
Worsted Weight yarn
Small amounts of rickrack and assorted buttons
Polyester Stuffing
Needle and thread

Magic ring, 4 single crochet into ring: do not join, work in a continuous spiral
Round 1 Two sc in each stitch around (8 sc)
Round 2 Sc in each stitch around(8sc)
Round 3 Two sc in next stitch, then one sc in next stitch; repeat 3 more times(12sc)
Round 4 Sc in each stitch around(12sc)
Round 5 Two sc in next stitch then 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches; repeat 3 more times(16sc)
Round 6 Sc in each stitch around
Round 7 Two sc in next stitch, then 1 sc in each of the next 3 stitches, rpeat 3 more times(20 sc)
Round 8 Sc in each stitch around
Round 9 Two sc in next stitch, then sc in each of the 4 stitches, repeat 3 more times(24 sc)
Round 10-16 Sc in each stitch around
Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing bottom together
Do not stuff yet, I find it much easier to sew all the details into place when the tree is "empty" and you can place your hand inside to assist you in sewing items into place.

Decorate:
I took gold rickrack and tacked it down with a needle and thread to resemble garland. Next, I placed buttons for ornaments and tacked them in place with needle and thread.
Finally, I sewed on a star button at the top of the tree.

Hanging Loop:
With the same yarn as the body of the tree, chain 12 ( more or less, depending on your liking). Attach through top of tree. I generally just pull both ends through and tie a knot on the inside. I don't want it falling off the tree or gift!

Stuffing:
Using polyester stuffing, fill your tree. I use the eraser end of a pencil to get it into tight corners and to shape them more sharply., begin sewing the bottom of the tree closed(I use just a plain stitch to do this). As you see the need for stuffing and shaping, do this after every few stitches, you'll be happier with your corners if you do it as you go.

Baby Uglee has arrived!

Baby Uglee
Original pattern by Caroline Chrisco
A little toy who’s so ugly, you can’t help but see how cute it is... make one in every color!

Materials:
WW yarn
G hook
Yarn needle
Small amounts of felt
9mm safety eyes
embroidery needle & thread
polyester stuffing

Chain 22
Row 1: Turn and sc in 2nd chain from hook, then sc in each chain. (20sc)
Row 2: Turn, chain 1 sc in each sc (20 sc)
Row 3-38 Repeat Row 2, fasten off, and leave a long tail for sewing 2 sides together.
*You should have a rectangle that measures approximately 5in. X 10 in. Fold in halfand whip-stitch two sides together.

Face: I work on the facial features now before stuffing and I can easily embroider with my hand inside the “body”.

Eyes:
Since this pattern can fashion more than one particular looking “Uglee” You need to decide how ugly it should be. I choose from a whole host of combinations for eyes.

*2 mis-matched somewhat circular or oblong eyes. ( I use quarters for larger circles and dimes for smaller.
*1 funny shaped eye
*A giant X for one or both eyes.

But this is your Uglee so if you think of an eye that matches the personality of yours, go for it!!!
Trace the pattern of your desired eye shape onto the white felt. Cut it out, also cut a small notch out of the center of the piece of felt so you can slip the safety eye easily through the felt.
Attach the safety eye and felt between rows 7 and 8 on the front of your Uglee. Using white embroidery floss, fasten the felt with very fine stitches all around the edges of the felt to secure it in place.
Repeat with your second eye.

Mouth:
The same “eye” philosophy applies for deciding the personality of the mouth of your Uglee. Choose from these basic mouth styles or design your own.
A “V” shaped smile
A crooked smile
A straight line
Use a WW weight black yarn (RHSS) in a large eye yarn needle and stitch in the mouth.

Teeth/Tongue:
Choose from these basic teeth styles:
1,2, or 3 small square teeth
1 fang
Tongue sticking out
Fashion these the same way as the background for the eyes. Attach the felt pieces with matching thread to correct positon Body:
When you have the facial features completed you are now ready to finish whip-stitching the remaining sides of the square; leaving a small opening to insert the stuffing. Use the eraser end of a pencil to carefully fill in all the corners. When stuffed to your liking, whip stitch the remaining opening closed.


Legs(make 2):
Legs are made in a continuous spiral. Do not turn. Use a stitch marker to move up after every completed row or count your stitches.
Using the main body color, chain 2.
Row 1 6 sc into second chain from hook (6sc)
Row 2 2sc into every stitch around (12sc)
Row 3 *2 sc into next sc then 1sc in next stitch* repeat all the way around (18sc)
Rows 4-8 sc in every stitch
Row 9 *sc dec in next stitch then sc in neighboring stitch* repeat all the way around (12sc)
Row 10 *sc dec in every stitch around(6sc)
Rows 11 & 12 sc in every stitch around
Fasten off
Stuff lightly

*Additional pattern notes:
I use the invisible single crochet decrease. You can find a great tutorial at http://www.planetjune.com/blog/the-ultimate-finish-for-amigurumi

Arms (make 2):
Arms are made in a continuous spiral. Do not turn. Use a stitch marker to move up after every completed row or count your stitches.
Using main body color, chain 2
Row 1 6 sc into second chain from hook (6sc)
Row 2 2sc in next sc, then sc in each of the next 2 stitches, then 2sc in next stitch, rpeat 2 more times(9sc)
Rows 3-7 sc in each stitch,
At the end of row 7,
Row 8 sc dec in first stitch then sc in next 2 stitches; repeat around(6sc)
Rows 9-10 sc in every stitch
Fasten off.
Stuff lightly.
Attach arms and legs to desired sides.

Tri-Ami Animals

My Mouse Ami pattern that has recently been published in the 2011 Pattern-A-Day Calendar has garnered quite a bit of attention lately and I was approached about designing an entire set based on the simple shape and pieces of the original mouse. Well, I have been sketching, crocheting, and ripping out furiously and here are the first few in may what be a new line of amigurumis by me! I had the idea about maybe doing them in thematic sets: Farm(mouse, duck, pig, bunny, chicken, cow), zoo(penguin, lion, tiger, alligator), and maybe alien(little green men...fun!) Sooooo anyway, what do ya think? Any comment, feedback, or suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

Have a fabulous Friday!!!

And BTW....it's NASCAR day here in Kansas! We're off to the track, Pictures to come!

Free Pattern: Rectangle Uglee

Materials:
WW yarn (color of choice)
G hook
Small amounts of felt (white &red)
9mm safety eyes
White embroidery thread w/ needle
Small amount of black yarn
Polyfill stuffing

Chain 21, turn
Row 1 sc in each chain space across (20 sc) turn; chain 1
Row 2 skip first sc, sc in each sc across row; turn, ch. 1
Row 3-54 repeat row 2.
Do not fasten off.

Fold the long rectangle in half, length-wise.
Working from the corner you’ve just completed slip-stich along the long slide of the rectangle, fasten off.

I work on the facial features now before stuffing and I can easily embroider with my hand inside the “body”.

Eyes:
Since this pattern can fashion more than one particular looking “Uglee” You need to decide how ugly it should be. I choose from a whole host of combinations for eyes.

*2 mis-matched somewhat circular or oblong eyes. ( I use quarters for larger circles and dimes for smaller. I free hand football-shaped eyes.)
*1 funny shaped eye
*A giant X for one or both eyes.

But this is your Uglee so if you think of an eye that matches the personality of yours, go for it!!! (Then please share your finished product, so we can oogle it!)

If I am working on 2 mis-matched circular eyes. I trace the pattern onto the felt. Cut it out, also cut a small notch out of the center of the piece of felt so you can slip the safety eye easily through the felt Attach the safety eye and felt about row 9 on the front of your stuffie. Using white embroidery floss, I fasten the felt with very fine stitches all around the edges of the felt to secure it in place.

Repeat with your second eye.

Mouth:
The same “eye” philosophy applies for deciding the personality of the mouth of your Uglee. I choose from these basic mouth styles:

A “V” shaped smile
A crooked smile
A straight line

I choose to use a WW weight black yarn (RHSS) in a large eye yarn needle and stitch in the mouth.

Teeth/Tongue:
I choose from these basic teeth styles:

1,2, or 3 small square teeth
1 fang
Tongue sticking out

I fashion these the same way I do the background for the eyes. I cut out the desired shape from the felt, place it in the desired location, then stitch around the edges to fasten it securely in place.

Body:
When you have the facial features completed you are now ready to finish slip stitiching the remaining sides of the rectangle leaving a small opening to insert the stuffing. I use the eraser end of a pencil to carefully fill in all the corners. When stuffed to your liking, whip stitch the remaining opening closed.

Legs(make 2):
Legs are made in a continuous spiral. Do not turn. Use a stitch marker to move up after every completed row or count your stitches.
Using the main body color, chain 2.

Row 1 6 sc into second chain from hook (6sc)
Row 2 2sc into every stitch around (12sc)
Row 3 *2 sc into next sc then 1sc in next stitch* repeat all the way around (18sc)
Rows 4-8 sc in every stitch
Row 9 *sc dec in next stitch then sc in neighboring stitch* repeat all the way around (12sc)
Row 10 *sc dec in every stitch around(6sc)
Rows 11 & 12 sc in every stitch around
Fasten off
Stuff lightly

Additional pattern notes:

I use the invisible single crochet decrease. You can find a great tutorial at http://www.planetjune.com/blog/the-ultimate-finish-for-amigurumi

Arms (make 2):
Arms are made in a continuous spiral. Do not turn. Use a stitch marker to move up after every completed row or count your stitches.
Using main body color, chain 2

Row 1 6 sc into second chain from hook (6sc)
Row 2 2sc in every stitch around. (12sc)
Rows 3 1 sc in next stitch, then 2 sc in next stitch; repeat around. (18sc)
Rows 4-5 sc in each stitch,
At the end of row 5, chain 3 and sc into the sc at the bottom of the chain. (forms “thumb”)
Row 6 sc in each sc around
Row 7 sc dec in first stitch then sc in next stitch; repeat around(12sc)
Row 8 sc dec in every stitch. (6sc)
Rows 9-10 sc in every stitch
Fasten off.
Stuff lightly.

Attach arms and legs to desired sides. I just use a simple whip-stitch. I like to place each arm in the center of each long side. I sew then behind the slip stitched seams.
Name your Uglee and enjoy!
Rectangle Uglee


Sketches of possible eye and mouth shapes:

Layla the Lion Ami

News!!! Noticias!!!

Well, sitting on my front doorstep was a box marked "Simon & Schuster" Ummmmm, I guess I forgot I ordered something. So, after I got the boys settled with a snack I set about opening my box. There were two 2011 Crochet Patter-A-Day calendars. Ummmmmmm, "Mom has lost it", I thought.Sshe meant to only order me one and accidently got the 2 button pushed, but then a little voice popped into my mind. Could it be one of my patterns made the calendar? I submitted last September, could it be???

I'm published!!!!!! Suffice it to say, it made my day. Thanks Christina and Aurora for encouraging me to submit my patterns.

I have added a pattern page to my home page so just click on the page to see a listing of my free patterns. I am removing the Spider! and Mouse Ami patterns for the year, so cutstomers who
purchase the calendar will get them exclusively.

Thanks for all the support!!!!

Presnting the Fall Hexagon Bag:

The lining is a bit loud, but it was this soft corduroy and I wasn't going to need to put stabilizer behind it, so I decided..."What the heck!!!" This was the first time I used my machine to sew the lining in place. I also made to large pockets inside.

WIP Wednesday

Here is the progress on my Fall Hexagon Bag: all sewn together now I need to assemble!

Drawing with Trenton

Over Labor Day weekend we had some extra time to just laze around and do whatever we wanted. My youngest DS and I pulled out our trusty colored pencils, crayons, and markers and had a drawing fest. Above is a collage of all his work. As you can tell I'm quite proud and I think he may be a chip off the block so to speak. He is very detailed oriented and quite a flair for design. He's only 7!

This one is the one I made for him, he's the biggest Club Penquin fan.

Here is the progress on my Fall Hexagon bag. I only need 7 more before I start assembling.

Have a simply sublime Saturday!

Sharp turn ahead!

Slow down and put on the brakes! I was walking through the craft aisles at WalMart today, not really in the market for anything, but just perusing when it hit me: the colors I neede for my new fall hexagon bag. Don't get me wrong, I like the color palette well enough that I had chosen in the previous post, but it didn't inspire like the summer one did, but in this swatch of material that I passed.....I have my inspiration. These colors want to make me crochet hexagons so fast, I'll be carrying this bag in a week. (Don't hold me to that, but you know what I mean.

2 week break

Hi all! so happy to be back in blogland. With school starting, I decided to focus most of my attention on getting my class together, giving my students that lil' bit of extra TLC, mentoring the new music teacher (who is awesome and going to become a good friend!) and making sure my kiddos have my undivided attention.

I have been toying with the idea of a follow-up project to my Summery Delite bag. Above you see some of the colors I have been playing with. I can only carry my bright colored bag into September, then fashion will dictate that I carry a more seasonally colored bag. What do you think about this pallette for autumn?


My other project that I am getting ready to finish is my Flower Box Afghan. I can't decide wheter to color block it or go diagonally. Any thoughts?

Wow! We have been back in school for 2 weeks now! It has been good to be back in my classroom and seeing little shining faces looking up at me. I tell myself every morning, "These are special gifts, that you must look after carefully, every day until you return them to their parents every afternoon." I try to remember every name and remember every face. They are so dear to me. I hope they know how much they are loved.

Projects are a bit scarce right now because I have been focusing all my attention on my students, class, and family. The flower box afghan has almost all its squares done, so it'll be ready to piece together soon.

Take care blog readers and enjoy the last few days of August, "the times she are a changing......".(To quote a famous song write) Fall will be upon us before to long.

My Hexagon Purse....summery delightfulness is here!!!!

I started the odyssey of this purse about 3 weeks ago. I had never made a hexagon, let alone attached them. So here I am presenting you....the bag that was deep inside the recesses of my mind. It came to fruition!!!!


It all started with this bag as inspiration, then this tutorial helped me out alot! As the song goes...."I get by with a little help from my friends...!"

My Hexagon Bag

It's done! Yipppeeee!