Baby Oh Baby!

After receiving permission from my PT to branch out a little,

I decided to make a foray to Hobby Lobby for some Christmas ornaments.

That little trek did me in for the rest of the day and most of this one. 

I spent this day just lounging around and crocheting.

Above is the day's turn out.

Baby caps are my latest obsession.

I am trying to figure my sizes....

there's lots of difference in a baby's little head and that of a toddler. 

This is the smallest...about a 14-15" circumference.

(I had forgotten how fun pom poms are to make!)

The bigger the better!!

Fun little cap with a multi-colored band and flower topper.
I need a model...this picture doesn't actually do the little cap justice!

The "hubster's" favorite...a baby maroon and white...as in Mississippi State colors.

Go, Bulldogs! 

A Christmas cap...soft white, bright green, red and hot pink.

Tri-colored flower with green pom pom center!

I didn't use baby yarn...which I think is so soft and wonderful for little ones...

but with a toss in the dryer on no heat and with one dryer sheet, they soften up considerably.

I am not sure how many stitches I've crocheted since June 8, but it must be up in the millions.

(And despite what you've heard, I AM trying to stay cheerful during this trial...but "it ain't easy".)

Can NOT wait to be up and out again,

Old Granny Is Finished...No, Not Me!!

It's complete!
My scrap Granny Square afghan is finished.

At least I've accomplished something during this summer.

I am trying to get pictures from all angles...which is your favorite square?

Lots of yarn "used up" on this!

I scattered some loomed and crocheted yarn flowers throughout...

This was one of my favorite squares.

After crocheting an "X" double crochet border, I finished it with a simple chain border.

I also added fun yarns...to jazz it up a little.

Some of the yarn was stiff, so I popped the afghan in a cool dryer with a few dryer sheets for 5 minutes.

That made it nice and  soft.

After yesterday's post about how I LOVE neutrals, this seems like an

odd twist...look at all that color (a riot)..

the afghan matches NOTHING in my house...

Oh, well, it's still fun and it will be warm and snuggly this winter.

Why don't you try one?

The Snuggle Factor

It's here...can't you feel it?

 Temperatures plummeted to the 60's at night...crisp mornings...it's FALLLLLL, Ya'lllll!
My very favorite time of the whole year (unless it happens to snow some time during the 365 days!)

Pull out that yarn and let your fingers fly...if you can't crochet or knit...then do something!!

Don't just sit there...Let the Decorating begin!!

Because I've been more or less confined to the bed since early June,

I've tried to keep busy.

Crochet has been the best thing for me because it only involves

around 500 skeins of yarn and a hook.

Now, the bedroom looks a little fluffy, but painting, mod podging, etc. and bed rest do NOT mix well.

I began with a single color pumpkin...(see My Secret directions below*)

Then I tried a combined two color tweedy look...

and layers of two colors...

Before I knew it...I had a pumpkin patch!!

I added a candle tied with burlap...cute...what else could I use these for?

How about as place cards?
Maybe as a gift for a friend with some candy corn!?
Whatever you use them for, they are cute, fun to do and have kept these old hands busy!

Pictured below are get well flowers from a dear friend!
 Beautiful Columbian roses..
look at that fantastic fall color!
 I had just the right container...my redware pitcher...
I have enjoyed watching them "bloom" out a little more every day!

Snuggle up everybody, make an early morning fire in the fireplace...
(and if it gets warm again, turn on the air conditioner! But keep the fireplace going!)

My PT's said I'd be almost as good as new by Halloween!!!

My Secret Pumpkin directions:

With yarn and hook  of choice chain approx. 25 (longer chain makes pumpkin bigger around)

Row 1:  24 DC...chn 2 and turn.

Row 2:  24 DC (the more rows the taller the pumpkin). I did 5-6 rows of DC.

You now have a rectangle. Stitch two short ends together. You now have a tube.

Use a piece of yarn about 24 inches long and knot one end. Around the top, with this matching yarn and a large needle, make a running stitch that goes all the way around the  top. Pull tightly and tie off. Stuff with fiberfill.

Close the bottom by repeating the "running stitch & tie off" direction above.

I took a long piece of matching yarn and sewed down into the middle of the pumpkin from top to bottom a couple of times, pulling tightly each time to "form" a pumpkin shape.

Leaves: chn 5 and connect to make a circle. (Chain 5 and slip stitch in circle. Repeat two more times.)

In first "leaf" chain, (1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 trc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc and slip stitch into next "leaf" chain. Repeat twice until you have three leaves.)

Stitch the leaf topper onto the pumpkin (or hot glue). Use a small twig or stick for the stem and tie with green twine for tendrils.

The Raccoons Have a New Runner

I'm back! Surgery is done!

After a few days in bed, I am propped up and ready to get with the program!

Can't keep a good woman down for long (lol)!

I have almost crocheted myself to death this summer. But in doing so, I have used up

lots of yarn from projects past and created some fun things both to sell and keep for myself.

Fall is coming and there is nothing I like better than to exchange my usual dishes for an older set that I began collecting long ago. I love the transferware look and the autumnal colors.

Light bulb! I need to crochet a little runner for my table.

I dug through my yarns and eureka! I found a brown tweed that I had scooped up on the sale rack last year and had absolutely no idea how I'd end up using it. (See left of pic below).

 I matched the other leftover yarns as best I could.

Granny Squares are my new old favorite.

Four squares later with a border of half double crochet and some 5 chain "lace"

and I have a neat runner....but....wait....

something's not right here.

The runner is too sparse for my big ole oak table!

I am not crazy about the way the runner displays on the table...hmmmm.

Maybe the buffet and the little raccoon family need a lift!

Ah...yes! That's so much better!

 And there it shall reside for the season! Keeping the little raccoon family safe and warm.

What have you been doing to spruce up for fall?

*What's Good for the Gander Isn't Good for the Goose?

Well, well, well.

Some things never change...everyone's an art critic.

If you and I are friends on FB then you will know what's going on, but for those of you who don't know...here's the story.

I am working at my shop, Dwellings, and 3 ladies enter,

look all around and one becomes enchanted with my pin cushions.

What can I say? They ARE so sweet!

She purchases two...well, you know what that means, don't you?

Of course, there will be a run on them...I must dash home and crochet more.

 A few little changes and additions and they are ready for their coming out party.

So it went...hours and hours of crocheting...and many, many cushions are now ready to be sold.

Everyone in the fam...is making fun of my pin cushions...but YESTERDAY ANOTHER ONE SOLD! AND THEN ANOTHER!

 I may have found the golden egg!

I even have a pumpkin cushion in honor of the long overdue Autumn season!

So what you may ponder?

Well, let me fill you in....

My delightful husband of over 34 years saw my feverish efforts and remarked that

all my "money making" ideas were futile. He stated that I didn't make things people HAD to have..

that in a recession nobody wanted a pin cushion. Heck, women don't even sew anymore.

Or so he said! Now tires...there's something I could sell. They wear out...a pin cushion does not.

Yes, yes, yes....tires. I could mount them and rotate them, plug them...

I could see the gold mounting  in his mind.

Personally, I think he's stripped a gear, but really...tires?!

So I posted our conundrum on FB...all sorts of comments came popping on the screen..mostly in my favor (because they are all my friends after all)...

but today really took the cake.

As I arrived at work, my crochet basket filled to the top with pin cushion yarn galore,

I heard the snickers...I heard them laughing and smirking about "here comes the pin cushion lady"...

nevertheless...

I worked until 4:00 (and didn't once have a chance to crochet, I might add) and just as I was preparing to leave, I saw my son (the #2 Snickerer) whispering with a customer...

The customer had just brought in something he thought we might like to sell...

What was it, you ask? Oh, let me tell you!!

How about a Singer Featherweight Sewing Machine...but that's not the worst of it...

attached was an old Victorian metal bird that clamps on the machine...guess what kind of bird?

A PIN CUSHION!!

#2 Snickerer couldn't get to his wallet fast enough.

All I have to say is, "MEN!"

Pin Cushions

For the past two months, I know exactly how a pincushion must feel..

.many doctors appointments = the "pincushion" effect.

So in honor of the fact that I HOPE I am through with all the medical drama,

I spent the better part of this weekend crocheting some little cushions!

I searched and searched for patterns..

.my very favorite ones were on a blog that was written entirely in Spanish...that was a no go.

The other instructions I found were too cumbersome and had way too many rounds.

 So I just winged it.

Some had flowers..

Some wore flirty ruffles...

Some sported buttons...

All wore a small green card...

"Dream BIG!"

These were crocheted with vertical stripes...

And were topped with rolled fabric flowers and leaves.

Whether old or new...I LOVE PIN CUSHIONS!!!

Above is a puzzle ball cushion that I made years ago.

I found this at a flea market and can't bear to part with it..

It opens twice...once to show a thimble and needles and once to show thread.

I salvaged squares of old fabric and fashioned this one in vintage crazy quilt style..

she lives in another state...an Etsy purchase from my store.

Felted wool polka dot one was also purchased from my Etsy shop.

I have a hard time parting with objects I make...I feel very disloyal.

I have collected red tomato and strawberry emeries for years.

Whether old or new...muted or bright...

isn't it wonderful that women through the ages have taken

such a mundane and utilitarian object and made them more fun to use?!

Hope you had a restful weekend,

(and for my friends who need special prayer for upcoming events in their life..rest well.)