Crocheting....

So...my crocheting has taken a backseat these past two weeks due to my illness and my sisters' wedding. I have also been in a bit of a creative slump as well. I'm just not "feeling it" right now. But, I did manage to try out a few patterns plus create a few new of my own.

A little stocking ornament. Not my own pattern. But I'm definitely loving how these look! I plan to make more of them for my tree. Here's the link to the pattern http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2007/11/my-stocking-ornament.html .
I plan to make these into ornaments for my tree. Here's the link to the pattern. http://my-pattern.blogspot.com/2009/12/flower-in-my-star.html .

Christmas snow stars from Drops Design. http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=0&d_id=585%E2%8C%A9=en . I absolutely hate this pattern. But that's my own personal opinion. Try it out anyway.
My own pattern for a tiara or circlet. I'm messing around with my creativity and trying to get it flowing again.
My own pattern for a ring bowl. I might write this up. Haven't decided yet.
My own pattern again. This is another bowl, but bigger. It's for Small T to put her change in.

Me (This Past Weekend)

I don't share a lot of photos of myself. Simply because I'm not especially photogenic and I'm also the one usually taking the photos. However, someone borrowed my camera for a few shots of me this past wedding weekend. So...hope you enjoy....

In my wedding attire. I don't care for makeup much due to my skin being so sensitive. But, I do wear Physician's Formula Mineral Wear makeup when the necessity arises. It doesn't break out my skin, cause my eyes to swell shut or clog up my wrinkles. :)
This is me in my natural state of no makeup. I love it! LOL I'm happy being "ME".

Wedding...

Yes, I've been MIA yet again. This time, however, I was away for four wonderful days for one of my sisters' weddings. The sister that got married is sister #3. I'm sister #2 out of the 6 sisters. I'm sure our only brother loves being known as brother #1 which in effect, isn't fair since he's the only one. LOL Anyway, we left Friday after the kids got out of school and headed out to southern Missouri. After a 4 hour drive, we arrived to sister #3's pre-wedding party which was also a party for (her) ex-husband #1's birthday. Sounds like a soap opera, doesn't it? But in effect, ex-husband #1 is still friends with her and especially her newest husband (husband #3). Is any of this making sense? Cause I'm starting to confuse myself. LOL

The wedding ceremony was an outdoor affair. The previous evening, it stormed horribly through the night. I wasn't sure what we were going to find when the sun rose. But in the end, it turned out ok. The muddy patches were filled with straw so no one would fall and the long dresses came out fairly unscathed.
This is a photo of me and Small T after the ceremony. I was a bridesmaid. Imagine. One of many (7). I apologize to all those that were expecting a different dress on me. This is not the dress originally spoke about. Changes were afoot!!!

All in all, the wedding weekend was a great success! We got to see a lot of people we hadn't seen in awhile plus meet a lot of new people as well.

Stocking #2

I started working on Stocking #2 for my sister's clan. This is what I've got so far. This will be the leg of the stocking. I'm using Red Heart yarn in black and a K hook.

Nana Squares

I've been making Nana Squares again.

This is the collection of Multi-colored squares that I already had.

These are all the solid colored squares that I had.

I added these Multi-colored squares over the past two days.

As well as these solid colored squares.

I'm slowly getting a good collection of them. Once I get enough of them, then I can decide exactly what I want to make with them.

Star Ornament (Free Pattern)

Since I'm thinking about Christmas, and have come up with a garland pattern (see previous post), I decided to mess around and come up with a substantial ornament that still has a homespun quality about it. This is what I came up with.

This is a close up shot.

These are the four that I've made so far. I wanted to stick with a red and white color scheme this year but my curiosity got the better of me and I tried a couple of them out in another color just to see what it would look like. These are rather large ornaments, so keep that in mind when making them. I have a really big tree each year, so I want something that will stand out among the branches.

Star Ornament (Free Pattern)

Materials:

Red Heart worsted weight yarn

I crochet hook

Chain 6. Join with a sl st to beg ch to form a ring.

Round 1- ch 2 (counts as a dc), 11 dc in ring. join with a sl st to top of ch 2.

Round 2- ch 8 (counts as first dc plus ch 6), sk 1 dc, dc in next dc, *ch 6, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc; repeat from * around; join with a sl st to 2nd ch of beg ch 8.

Round 3- ch 1, work 1 sc in same st, into ch 6 space work (4 dc, ch 3, 4 dc), *sc in top of next dc, work (4 dc, ch 3, 4 dc) in next ch 6 space; repeat from * around; join with a sl st to 1st sc made; ch 20, sl st into same st (1st sc). finish off, weave in ends.

Note: The ch 20 makes a good sized hanger for the ornament. You can adjust the size of the chain to make the hanger any size you'd like. I like the bigger "hole" myself.

Tree Garland (Free Pattern)

Since the weather has turned colder, I've got Christmas on my mind. Christmas is my favorite holiday/time of the year. I love the whole "spirit of Christmas". I prefer the "homemade/handspun" feel of holidays past and I try to incorporate this into my yearly gift giving and decorating. This being said, I am thinking of doing a less commercialized Christmas tree this year and decorating it entirely with handmade/homespun items. This led me to think of garland and ornaments. I sat down with my yarn and hook, pencil and paper and messed around until I came up with this pattern. My household has a big tree, so I need lots and lots of garland. I also need something that will stand out and not be lost among the tree branches. So...that calls for a more substantial garland. When finished, this strand of garland is quite lengthy, but I will still need to make more of it.

I like the substantial base of the garland along with the lacy type of edge.

This is the entire strand of it.

Tree Garland (Free Pattern)

Materials:

Red Heart worsted weight yarn in White

I crochet hook

(You can make this garland any length that you want by chaining a multiple of three plus one.)

chain 511.

Row 1- sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across.

Row 2- ch 1, turn. sc in each sc across.

Row 3- ch 1, turn. *sc in next 3 sc, ch 4; repeat from * across. Finish off; weave in ends.

Stars

I've started working on a Christmas project for myself. I'm going to make a garland of Christmas colored stars to hang on my fireplace mantel. I'm using this free pattern at The Yvestown Blog http://www.yvestown.com/archive/2010/11/stars.html . I'm making the stars out of Red Heart worsted weight yarn in the colors Cherry Red and then White. I'm also using an I crochet hook. Currently, I have three of the Cherry Red stars done. I'm also thinking of making a set of garlands out of these to put on my Christmas tree. Last year, our tree was done in blue, silver and white. I'm thinking of going more traditional this year and keeping to a red and white theme. I'm also going to add a lot of homespun touches to it. What do you think?

Skinny Scarf (Free Knook Pattern)

Last night, I also finished up my very first "Knook" project. I also wrote up a quick free pattern off of it. It's for a Skinny Scarf. Now, if you don't know what it means when I say "Knook" you really should look it up on the internet and find yourself a kit to purchase. I LOVE this type of knitting. You use a special crochet hook and cord. I've tried knitting with the needles but I'm not that great at it. I'm still trying to learn though. But teaching myself is harder than I thought it would be. In any event...give the "Knook" a try. I think you'll like it! (I bought my kit at Wal-Mart in the craft section by the crochet hooks and knitting needles. It cost $6.97.)

So...here's my free Knook Pattern for a Skinny Scarf. Enjoy!

Materials Needed:

Size I Knook

Worsted Weight yarn (I used Red Heard in Medium Thyme)

Chain 10. Pick up 10 stitches on the knook.

Row 1- Knit across.

Repeat Row 1 for pattern until the scarf is the length you want it. Bind off all stitches loosely in knit.

Weave in loose ends.

Cut lengths of yarn for fringe and add to both ends of the scarf.

That's it! Easy Peasy!

Small T loves the little scarf so much, she's adopted it and has been modeling it around the house this morning. Hope you like it too!

Christmas Stocking #1 (Lea's Clan)

Late last night, I finished up the first Christmas stocking for my sister Lea's clan. This one will either be hers or her soon-to-be new husband's. They are both huge "Harley" fans and wanted a black and orange stocking. For their household, I will need a total of 9 stockings. So, I wanted to get started on them fairly quickly. Besides, I always have lots of projects I want to do for the holidays and if I'm stuck doing something for someone else, then I can't get my own items done. I used Red Heart worsted weight yarn in the colors Black and Pumpkin. I also used a K crochet hook. This is the free pattern link http://www.knitting-n-crochet.com/free-crochet-Christmas-patterns.html .

Current Photos of WIP's

I've finished up the first piece of the stocking. I've got 4 more sections to go now.

This is my latest state of the skinny scarf that I'm knooking. It won't be long til I have it the length that I want.

Works in Progress

I've started to work on a Christmas project. This is the beginning of a stocking for one of my sister's family. It will be in the Harley colors of black and orange.

I'm learning how to "Knook". That's knitting with a special crochet hook and some cord. I bought the kit at Wal-Mart and I have to say that I love this!!! This what it looks like up close.

This is what my little project looks like in normal view. I'm making a skinny scarf. I'm using the knit stitch throughout.

Road Trip Sunday - Part 4

No road trip is complete without a bag of yarn!!!

Road Trip Sunday - Part 3

I couldn't believe my eyes...the leaves on the trees are already changing colors! Can you see the lovely reddish colored tree in this photo?

An example of the roads we took on the way home. We chose to go the more "scenic" route.

Harvest time is here. Farmers are cutting corn.

I noticed that a new farm had been planted with pecan trees. In about 9 years, they will have their first harvest of nuts.

One of the last few old time gas stations still operating in our area. Sorry about the horrid photo! It's the best I could get while the truck was moving.

Road Trip Sunday - Part 2

While we were visiting Thousand Hills State Park, I decided to walk up the short path to visit the Petroglyphs. I didn't even know there were any at the park! I sure learned something! :)

I tried to make out exactly what designs I was seeing, but I couldn't quite get it.

I'm pretty sure this one is a bird.

Not sure about this one, even after viewing the "key" to the designs.

Here I am at the end of the trail. My husband took a photo to prove that I'd done it. I wish he and Big C had come with me too.

Road Trip Sunday - Part 1

Sunday, we went road-tripping.

We headed to Kirksville, Missouri. It's about an hour and 45 minute drive for us.

Our first stop was "Hibbett's" to buy Small T a pair of basketball shoes. $118 later, she is sporting a new pair of red and white ones. They were the only shoes in the building in her size. Highway robbery! I still can't believe it!

Big Daddy, Big C and I went out to visit Thousand Hills State Park.

We decided to have a picnic lunch at one of the shelter houses. While we were there, I was visited by this lovely little friend. I don't know if it's a moth or a butterfly.

At the end of the day, we picked up Small T. She spent a few hours visiting her boyfriend, Slim C, and one of his friends. Big C had to get in the photo as well. :)

Favorite Parade Attractions

Two of my favorite parade attractions were at the Sterling Price Festival.

"The Missouri High Steppers"

"Boone County Fire District Pipes & Drums"

Marching Band

A photo of our school's marching band at the Sterling Price Festival parade. Small T is in the front row, second from the left. Of course, you can't see her in this photo hardly at all, but I'm ok with that. The band placed 2nd.

Craft Booth

I set up my first craft booth of the season last Saturday at the Sterling Price Festival. I did ok, considering the weather was not too good. Luckily, I took a bit tarp, just in case it rained, and guess what...it rained...a lot. I'm looking rather fierce here in the photo, aren't I? I didn't want my photo taken. *sigh* I'm also wearing a tie-dye type of t-shirt to support my daughter's booth. She, another officer, and the adviser of the group were selling tie-dye shirts to raise money for a trip.

More Teen/Adult Earflap Hats

I'm introducing a new model here...Missy H...a friend of Small T's. Doesn't she look cute?

Messing around in the Bumble Bee colored hat! :)

Showin' her John Deere green off!