Crafting with the Girls

I finally got the girls going on their friendship bracelets.

 Pattycake is moving right along.

So is Sassy.

Their mom told me this evening that they are both basically ready to tie off and wear the bracelets.  Except they will be anklets, like Aunt Shelly's.

They worked on these diligently today.  Way to go girls!

Now I need to find another craft on Pinterest.  lol

Patchwork Blanket

Here's a quick shot of the Patchwork Blanket showing my current progress on it.

I started the 3rd row yesterday.

So far, I've used 17 different colors of yarn.  I've got one more color to add then I'll be working my way through the colors again.

Please ignore the ugly pile of yarn and such to the right of the photo.

I've got my mending on the back of the couch, the yarn pile on the right and in a bag on the floor.  That way it's handy while I'm crocheting.  yikes.  I need to do some straightening.  ASAP.

Knooked Square

I finished my first "knooked" square yesterday.

This took several attempts as I wanted it to be the same size as the knitted squares I am making.

I needed a J knook hook, and didn't have one, so I made my own.

I am using Red Heart WW yarn in Pale Pink.

The finished square is 8" wide and 7 1/2" tall.

Here's what I did:

ch 25.

cast on 25 sts.

knit each row.

**Now, I have a really hard time telling my "rows" in knitting and knooking, so here's how I know when I'm done.  Look at the above photo, see where the tail is at the bottom right...when my square is in this position, and I have 19 complete rows of "ribs" counting from the bottom of the square up to the top, then that's when I start the casting off.  It also helps to have a completed square to look at too, for visual aid.**

A Quick Craft

 Hey...How are ya?

Long time, no see.

It's good to be back.

I thought I'd share a current photo of myself.

I'm already starting to sport a pair of "racoon eyes" from my big sunglasses that I wear at the pool everyday.

Anyway, I found this great craft on Pinterest that I'm going to share with you all.  Small T and I have been watching a couple of my nieces this summer....Pattycake and Sassy.  So I've been trying to find a few things for them to work on while they are here in my home.  I think this craft is going to be something that they will love.  So, here are a few photos and the link to the craft so others can give it a try as well.  Go check it out....seriously.  It's a lot of fun to do, super easy, and I finished mine in a couple of hours.

Woven Friendship Bracelet Tutorial

http://www.michaelannmade.com/2011/07/woven-friendship-bracelet-tutorial.html

 A shot of the bracelet in progress.

 Getting close to being done.

The finished project on my right ankle.

Off To Boy's State

On the 16th, Big C left for Boy's State.

Small T decided she just might miss him.

So she shared a bit of lovin' before he got out the door.

Big C came home the 23rd.

He said he had a great time.

Now, I have all the kids back where they belong.

At home.

The Pool...My Summer Home

If you get to wondering where I'm at this Summer...look at these photos.

I'm here 5 or 6 days a week from noon to 8 pm.

With anywhere from 50 to 100 kids a day, as well as a couple of lifeguards.

These photos were taken the day before the pool opened.

The city council put a lot of work into the pool area this year and it's looking great!

 Big Pool

 Concession Stand/Bathroom Area showing some of the seating area too.

Baby Pool area.

Current Projects

 I'm working on some knitted squares.  This is something I've not done before.  Knitting squares and then eventually, hooking them together into a blanket.  I have 3 done and a 4th one started.  Obviously, I have a long way to go.

 I'm also knooking some squares.  This is the first one.  I made several attempts at getting this knooked square to be the same size as my knitted squares.  After ripping it out several times, I decided that I needed a bigger knook hook.  I only have sizes G, H, and I and I needed a J.  So I made my own with one of my older J hooks.  So far, it's working out fine.  Big Daddy said he would try to put a whole through it for me, out in the garage, with some of his tools.  But, he needs an older hook, in case he messes up.

 As always, I have a lot of partial skeins of yarn, so I started a scrap afghan using the Dottie Angel blanket pattern (which is a favorite of mine).  The free pattern can be found here http://dottieangel.blogspot.com/2010/06/ordinarily-extraordinary-blanket-how-to.html .

I have also started working on a blanket for one of my sisters.  She wanted me to use the True Blood Water Lily Blanket pattern which can be found here http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/true-blood-water-lily-blanket .  However, she wanted a color scheme of white, black and red, with red being the main color.  So far, I have 5 of these squares completed.

So...these are my current works in progress.  I'm having some trouble settling down with working on anything right now, which has led me to have several things started.