From The Heart

May News

2009-05-09T13:37:00.003-05:00

Well here it is nearly the middle of May! I have my garden in. Everything is looking pretty good except something is eating my bean leaves. We've had so much rain, I can't believe it. I have tomatoes sprouting up everywhere from last year and birds dropping seeds etc. I'm going to just let them grow.

On the crafty side, I am knitting a top-that's a pic of the back, crocheting some hats for charity, and still working on the knitted bags. I went to the DFW Fiber Fest and got a couple more bead pattern kits. Can't wait to get on those!

Family side of things are going pretty good. Both kids are driving and doing pretty well at it. Now we have to look into insurance and cars!! EEK! Son#2 is working, Son#1 is looking(but not very hard!)DH is still networking and trying to generate leads for interviews. Bad thing, most of the company contacts he has had are out of town or out of state!

Ok, that about wraps it up for now. Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there!

2009-02-22T17:38:00.002-06:00

Well, haven't posted in a while! I average about every six months. Bad news, Dh got laid off. So, now we are in limbo with the job market so bad. I have been busy listing things to sell on Craigslist. We'll make it, I just don't know how painful it will be. Pray for us!
Oh the crochet or rather knitting front-- I have taught myself how to knit!! I can do the basic knit and purl and one kind of decrease. I am making some beaded amulet bags, I'll try to post a picture. It's been so long,I may have forgotten how! Most of my finished items that I have crocheted are on CrochetMania, so rather than post a bunch of pics here, you can go there and look.

But I got some Option interchangeable needles from Miss Kitty over at the Mania and I love them! I bought a Boye set, but am not impressed with how stiff the cables are. I love knitting with the beads though. I have made several little bags and I am going to donate them to a group of cancer patients for when they go to camp this summer. i will try to post a link:
http://thiseclecticlife.com/2009/01/07/the-good-medicine-project-gifts-for-children-with-cancer/

Anyhoo, I am going to try to keep up with this blog more often. Yeah I always say that! LOL! The best to you my few readers!

July Already!

2008-07-10T15:00:00.002-05:00

Can't believe it is July, in fact almost the middle of July! Few news items to report.

My DH, whom we have been worried about has gotten good news about his brain drain issue. If you don't know, he had an MRI that showed some irregularities and it was feared he would require surgery. But, good news this week, he is NOT going to have any surgery in the foreseeable future! Yippeee!!!!! You can check out Crochet Mania for the entire story.

I also resigned from my job for reasons I won't go into here. I am staying at home for now. I saved most of what I made and was able to pay for a new cedar fence, an 8footer! LOL!, and still have some funds for some other home improvements. May go back to work soon, may wait until school starts. All I know, is I really liked working again, and it was good for me mentally. Keep that old noggin sharp!

On the crochet front, I finished a baby afghan barely in time for a baby shower and am now working on a generic baby blanket and a summer Cami. As I am way too lazy this hot summer day to post the pics, take a look at CrochetMania, they are over there! I also joined Raverly, which is a little intimidating to me, but eventually I will spend enough time to utilize the site. I am TXCrochetLover there.

On the kid front, teenagers! Enough said!

It is pretty hot here, close to 100. But,not so bad as it could be. My garden was put in late this year, so I am not getting produce except for strawberries so far.

I am watching the Presidential contest pretty closely. If you could get these guys to stay consistent on what they say and actually mean what they say, it certainly would help. Of course I am a Lou Dobbs supporter, so you might get a drift where my beliefs lean. Whomever is elected will have a very tough time getting the Congress to get some work done. Well, I better not get into this discussion, I've already got carpal tunnel from emailing all my elected representatives! Just a little nudge, be sure to vote.

Anywho, just checking in and wishing any readers of this often ignored blog the best regards!

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T09:33:00.001-06:00

Can you believe 2007 is over! Man, did it go by fast!
My goals for the New Year are many and varied. In fact, there are so many, I could probably fill a couple of pages. My biggest goal is to save money to do home improvements, find time to visit more with friends and family, and to get back the enthusiam for crochet that has been sorely lacking. I think it's kind of a burnout from going at project after project, swap after swap, etc. Now after ninety days of working full time, I can't even think of a project I want to be doing. I have a sweater I have been working on forever, I have half a sleeve to go, but can't seem to want to finish! LOL! I did make some fingerless gloves, because my hands are cold at work. Can you believe I haven't been at HL, Michael's or JoAnn's in over three months?!?!? I better remedy that! Or they will go out of business cause I haven't been buying stuff!

Work is a big part of the week. This company is small,but growing fast. So, there is a lot of work to be done. I just hope my energy can keep up! The people I work with are all pleasant for the most part, so that makes it nice. Plus, I am so busy, the day is over before I know it. Which sure beats watching the clock.

The family is all well. And DH and I are making plans for the projects we will tackle this year. The kids are all over their new video games and I haven't seen much of them since Christmas! LOL!

I haven't blogged in a long time, and probably won't do so much in the future, but touching base just in case anybody actually checks my blog!

Happy New Year, folks. I hope your year is filled with love, laughter and hope for 2008.

2007-09-13T11:42:00.000-05:00

I joined the Traveling Hook II, Hooking For A Cure at Crochetville. Check it out at the Ville.
I posted pictures of two women in my life in whom's memory I am dedicating the squares I made to send. The first picture is my Grandmother, Ida, who died from bone cancer. She was a farmer's wife, wore an apron 90% of the time, because she was always working! I can remember her gardening, canning, cooking, baking, making jellies and preserves. I loved going out back to pick blackberries off her vines and stuffing myself! She was a devout Christian and gave of herself to us and to the community.

She sewed and crocheted, as well as doing other needlework. She crocheted mainly with thread. Her work was exquisite considering she created pieces without written patterns. I now have her steel hooks and a few bone hooks. Unfortunately, I didn't learn the art from her, because when I was young I didn't care about needlework. Of course, now, I regret not being able to share my enthusiasm with her. But, when I use her hooks, I think about her. Maybe, in a spiritual way, we are sharing.

The next picture is my dear Mother In Law, Joan, who passed from lung cancer. She was very strong minded and I admired her. After divorcing her husband, she raised and supported four children while attending law school, ultimately passing the bar. She and I "clicked" right from the first time we met. She had a quick, dry wit and I just loved trying to keep up with her!

When my mother died, Joan consoled me and encouraged me to call on her anytime if I needed support. My mom seldom showed love or affection, but her death was hard on me because I knew deep down she loved me. Joan gave me time, an ear, a shoulder to cry on. Later,when my husband and I got married, she clearly approved of our union and asked me to call her Mom. For that alone, I will always love her.

So, here are two reasons for joining in the Traveling Hook II. I have other family and friends that have battled this disease, but I wanted to dedicate publically to these two very special women. Miss you... love you... remembering you..

Peacock Buffet Scarf Finished!

2007-08-28T16:41:00.000-05:00

I made this for D's daughter. She got married and they will have a "ceremony" sometime in Sept. last I heard. So, I got busy August 1 and just finished it Friday the 24th. I worked pretty consistently each day and with 83 rows with approx. 250 stitches each row, well it took a while!
I got this off CPC I think. I don't know how to import the link here yet. You can tell I am not too hyped to get the finer points of blogging down! LOL!

Details- I used Cebelia Size 20 thread, took me a little over two balls. I used a 10 hook cause I didn't have a 12 and I'm not too sure I can see the head on a 12! LOL! I love this thread! I took the lazy way out and just steamed it into shape instead of pin blocking it. If I get inspired, I may go ahead and do that, but for now, I am kinda sick of looking at it!

Anyhoo, enjoy and come visit at CrochetMania!

Heat Wave

2007-08-14T14:17:00.000-05:00

Today the temperature is going to be over 100 degrees again! Whew! It's hot, so I'm staying inside crocheting a table runner for a gift.

I also have not shown what I received in a Crochet Mania Christmas in July swap from jchllm. I can't get the links to work, so back to the drawing board. Pooh!

There is a lot of new things that are happening at the Mania, one thing I am working on is a Trivia tournament and the prize for the winner is going to be Very nice, if I do say so myself!

On the family front, football practice has started for Son#2. And it starts at 5:30 this week. PM, Yep, it's hot as blue blazes out there and they are working in it! Helmets, not pads yet.
Quick story: I bought Son#2 some "grip" gloves. He is a tailback and said they would help him hold on to the ball when catching passes. They were kinda high, but I gave in. MISTAKE! He takes them to practice yesterday, his hands gets hot, he took them off, promptly forgot about them, left them on the field. And that is the last we will ever see of them!
School starts the 27th. We are not ready. I haven't bought any clothes or shoes. But since the kids are in high school I am not supplying the whole school with kleenex and notebook paper! LOL!

Gotta get back at it on the table runner, I am on a time frame! Hey, come visit at CrochetMania and join a really great group! Say I referred you and I may get a prize!

Swap Finished

2007-07-19T10:13:00.000-05:00

Oh boy, I finished my items for a Christmas in July swap at the Mania!!! I mailed it on Tuesday, so my partner, Peggy, should get the package by Friday.
Now, I am working on a simple doily testing out some thread I bought to see if I like
it. I bought some Finca Presencia Size 12 thread from Diane, owner of Fiber Circle in Farmersville, TX., at the Dallas Fiber Arts Festival, and am just now getting around to hooking with it.
So, back to crochet!

Having Fun With Christmas In July!

2007-07-13T13:51:00.000-05:00

I am working on a swap and am having so much fun! I love Christmas and so this is just another opportunity to search out fun patterns and crochet my heart out!
I am using an Annie's Attic pattern for one thing and already completed... oops,
don't want to tell too much. Anyhoo, when my partner receives her package, which I will be done with by Monday, I will post pictures and tell where I found the patterns.

On the home front, I am pretty sick of the rain. We finally got roofers out here to repair the leaks. So after we get the flooring done, sheetrock work, here we come!
Then, we'll have to paint! And let me tell ya, I will be fairly sick of prepping and priming, and painting when we get the repairs done. We will have work to do in three rooms. And I have a sneaky suspicion, it is not going to be cheap to do, even if we do the work ourselves. Man, I may have to go back to a paying job.

OK. I am done whining. Back to crochet!

Leaf Lounging Ladybugs Pattern

2007-07-11T10:30:00.001-05:00

Here is the pattern I promised to write out for my bookmark design. If you make it and find problems with the pattern, let me know. Please do not sell or copy my pattern, or use this pattern as your design. Please do not sell the finished piece. However, for gifts, make as many as you would like!

Leaf Lounging Ladybugs Bookmark
Designed by Selena J. Watts
Copyright 2007

Materials:

Size 10 Crochet Thread
Red, Green, Black
Size 7 steel hook
Stitch markers
Needle
Iron with steam setting
Spray Starch
Cotton cloth, dampened

Leaf:
With green, Chain 76
Sc in second chain from hook and in each chain across. (75sc)
Chain 1, turn. Sc in the loose loops on the backside of the original chain across. (75sc).
Ch1, do not turn. Sc in end of first row, ch1 then follow this pattern:
3 sc, 1 hdc, 5 dc, 19 trc, 19dtrc, 19 trc, 5 dc, 1 hdc, 3 sc in sc of previous row.
SC in end of rows, ch 1 repeat pattern on other side as follows:
3 sc, 1 hdc, 5 dc, 19 trc, 19dtrc, 19 trc, 5 dc, 1 hdc, 3 sc in sc of previous row.
Slip stitch in next two end of rows.
(Now you can fasten off here if you do not want the little tail. If you DO want the little tail, do not fasten off).
Tail; chain 28, sc in third chain from hook, (ch3, sc in next chain) 12 times. Sc in remaining 13 chains, slip stitch to row end, fasten off. Weave ends. (12 loops, 13 sc)
Hint: Leaf will curl, finishing will take care of that.

Ladybugs: Make 3.
Body
With red, ch4, sl stitch in first chain.
Round 1: Hint: Mark first stitch. Chain 1, 6 sc in loop. Do Not Join.
Round 2: 2 sc in 1st sc, and in each stitch around. Do not join. (12 sc)
Round 3: sc in 1st sc, 2 sc in next sc, (1sc in next, 2 sc in next) around. Slip stitch in beginning sc of round. Fasten off. Weave ends. (18sc)

Head
Row 1: With black, join with slip stitch to joining stitch of the lst round of the body. Ch1, sc in same stitch and in next 2stitches. (3 black sc)
Row 2: Ch1 turn, sc in first sc, hdc in next stitch, sc in last stitch.
Row 3: Ch1, turn. Sc in first stitch, hdc in next stitch, sc in last stitch Slip stitch
In the side of the stitch just worked and at the base of stitch just worked. Fasten off. Weave ends.

Finishing:
Using black, back stitch up center of body to show wing separation. For spots, use french knots and put on as many spots as you desire. I just did 2 on each side.
Hint: Don’t worry about weaving the thread on the backside of the body, that will all be hidden when you sew the ladybugs onto the leaf.
Sew ladybugs on leaf placing them where you desire.
Set iron to cotton steam setting. Spray piece with spray starch, just enough to slightly saturate the bookmark. Wait a moment for it to soak in. Then, cover with dampened cotton cloth and gently set iron over piece. Do not slide iron. Steam for about 2 seconds. Remove cloth. Let bookmark dry. Enjoy!

2007-07-10T21:54:00.000-05:00

Today was a busy one, not just with crochet. I worked on an item for a swap at CrochetMania, and it is going to be so cute! Not because of my expertise, but because the pattern is so cute! I will divulge the pattern later after the swap.

On the home improvement front, I caulked riser facings and prepped and primed the stairwell wall trim. This project, like many others we have tackled, grows as the project progresses! The laminate flooring is going to be a great improvement as far as looks and allergies. Here are pics, I am sure many have seen these, as I have not been shy about sharing them! Before and after pics are shown here.
This is our game room where we started this project:

These are the stairs up to the first landing:

2007-07-09T18:46:00.001-05:00

I have actually designed something for the first time! I call it Leaf Lounging Ladybugs Bookmark! It uses size 10 thread and a 7 hook. The pic is not very good I can't seem to get the detail on my camera. Guess I need to read the instructions!
Once I get the pattern written out, I will share it.

Have a wonderful evening!

2007-07-08T21:41:00.000-05:00

Ok, Ok, I have a blog now. I am not sure what I am going to do with one, but I will learn
as I go along!