Morphing Patterns....

I started a tree bag yesterday and I thought I would try to make "bark". As I worked along I got the distinct impression of a basket instead. The more rows I put on it, the more it wanted to BE a basket. The basic bag pattern really lent itself to this shape. SO....it became a basket. With a lacy napkin and a button-top closure. I will fill it with little things. I haven't decided on bears w/sleeping bags, pretend picnic food or bunnies w/dress up clothes. Still thinking. In the meanwhile, enjoy the pictures of the finished basket while I go back to work on creating a tree this time!

Basket, etc Pattern coming soon!!

Input Needed!!!

Howdy all.

I am in the process of trying to design some new patterns. Everything I start is so uninspired and I end up hating it and ripping it out before I'm 10 rows into it. Argh!

My son has been wanting me to make another "toy bag" to go with my other bags. I have a couple of ideas floating around like "Solar System" or "Picnic Basket w/Food". My son is thinking a "Tree Bag w/Elves" (think Nabisco)....hmmm. If I make a tree I am thinking animals with a gnome or something like that.

I need some input people. What patterns (all ideas welcome) would you like to see?

Sunburst!! (A Sun Hat Pattern for Adults)

I have had quite a few requests for an adult sun hat. I hope this is what ya'll are looking for. :) It's only 26 rows and works up in an afternoon or less, depending on speedy you are.
Thanks to my model, Riley.

Cotton Sun Hat
by Elizabeth Mareno, 2011

Supplies needed:
1 ball 4 ply WW cotton kitchen yarn
I hook
Large eye needle for finishing
this awesome pattern!! :)

View from the front.
Finished brim with reverse single crochet.

Lots of breathing room for your head.

Pretty sunburst on top.

Row 1: ch2, 8sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join. (8sc)
Row 2: 2sc in each sc around (16sc)
Row 3: ch1, sc in join sp, (ch3, sk next sc, sc in next sc) 7times, ch3, sk next sc, sl st to 1st sc of row. (8sc, 8-ch3 sp)
Row 4: ch1, sc in join, (3sc in ch3 sp, sc in next sc) 7 times, 3sc in ch3, join to 1st sc (32sc)
Row 5: ch1, sc in join, sc in 2sc, 2sc in next, (sc in 3sc, 2sc in next) 7times, sl st to 1st sc. (40sc)
Row 6: ch1, sc in join, sc in 3sc, 2sc in next, (sc in 4sc, 2sc in next) 7 times, sl st to join (48sc)
Row 7: ch1, sc in join, (ch3, sk next 2sc, sc in next) 15 times, ch3, sk last 2sc, sl st to 1st sc to join. (16sc, 16-ch3 sp)
Row 8: ch1, sc in join, (3sc in ch3 sp, sc in next sc) 15 times, 3sc in last ch3 sp, join to 1st sc. (64sc)
Row 9: ch1, sc in join, sc in 6sc, 2sc in next, (sc in 7sc, 2sc in next) 7 times, join to 1st sc. (72sc)
Row 10: ch1, sc in join, sc in 7sc, 2sc in next, (sc in 8sc, 2sc in next) 7 times, join. (80sc)
Row 11: ch1, sc in join, sc in each sc around. (80sc)
Row 12: ch1, sc in join, (ch3, sk 3sc, sc in next) 19 times, ch3, join. (20sc, 20-ch3sp)
Row 13: sl st in first ch3 sp, ch1, sc in ch3 sp, (ch3, sc in next ch3 sp) 19 times, ch3, join to 1st sc. (20 ch3 sp)
Row 14-20: Repeat Row 13
Row 21: ch1, sc in join, (3sc in ch3 sp, sc in next sc) 19 times, 3sc in last ch3 sp. join. (80 sc)
Row 22: in Front Loops Only, ch1, sc in join, sc in next 8sc, 2sc in next, (sc in 9sc, 2sc in next) 7times, join. (88sc)
Row 23: in both loops, ch1, sc in join, sc in each sc around. (88sc)
Row 24: ch1, sc in join, sc in 9sc, 2sc in next, (sc in 10sc, 2sc in next) 7 times, join. (96sc)
Row 25: ch1, sc in join, sc in each sc. (96sc)
Row 26: ch1, reverse crochet in each around. Finish off.

Visitors

I know that I mentioned this before, but I have a nephew and a future niece visiting till this Friday. It has been an intensely fun time! We have spent much time at the beach. I have just a few more pictures to share.

Riley and Stefani. BFF's sittin in the surf.

(essentially filling their suits to capacity with sand)

The sand castle. An ambitious bunch aren't they?


Kyle and Teo decided to save it and create a moat. Or wall.

Either way, it was a complete act of futility. The surf kept wiping it out.

We are planning one more trip to Arlene Williams BBQ on Pace Street in Pensacola. Oh yeah, baby! Best BBQ on the planet, bar none. (**What does bar none actually mean and where did it come from?) The kids and I are taking one more trip to the Naval Air Museum on the base today. We went there Monday and didn't make it to the second level. It's free, so why not go back? We are, also, going to be visiting the Pensacola Lighthouse today. It's apparently haunted. LOL...yeah, ok. It's going to be fun no matter what. The kids are stoked about going so that's all that matters.

It's breaking my heart that I have to send Kyle and Riley back. I cry when I think about it. I love those kids so much. BUT, they have people that are depending on them and they are going to be a man and a woman of God and fulfill their duties and expectations. I thank God for them and know that they will be blessings to everyone they come in contact with.

My kids are going to be going back to Wisconsin for a nice long visit with Grandparents and friends this Summer. They are excited about ditching their mommy for a few weeks. *sniff* My husband keeps talking about "oh, lets do this when the kids are gone"....and..."let's do that when the kids are gone"...and..."three weeks without kids, baby...." Really?!? I keep thinking..."oh my gosh, what am i going to do without my kids for three weeks?"...and...."my babies....they are going to be gone for THREE WEEKS!!!!!"....and..."i'm going to be so bored, i need to volunteer somewhere"-Obviously Mom's and Dad's run down two totally opposite thought paths. LOL

One thing I know I am looking forward to in their absence is the lack of mess. My house will actually be clean for three whole weeks! LOL

Missing In Action

I, once again, apologize for my recent disappearance. Apparently moving 1200 miles from home and starting your life over is harder than it looks. I had to get a job. I worked at Pier 1 Imports for 3 weeks. Yeah...not as exciting or amazing as it sounds. I will spare you all of the details. Just suffice to say,"It was not the job for me".

I am currently applying to everything I can find that has anything to do with an office setting where my skills won't be wasted. Wish me luck...I'm claiming favor!

Onto the picture show. Want to catch you up on some of the stuff that has been consuming my life thus far.

new house

I appreciate my new house. It has lots of space for visitors. This has been tested and proven. Mom and Dad came to visit in May for about 4 days. Loved it! We currently have our recently graduated nephew and his girlfriend down for two weeks as a graduation present. Then, my in-laws will be here with my niece in about 3 weeks. We are Hotel Pensacola for a good chunk of the Summer. I love having that little piece of familiarity. We will finish off the Summer with a week visit from Mom again in August. Then, we won't see anyone for a long time. :/

scrap squares afghan

Please forgive the poor quality on some of these pictures. I have to use my iPhone right now because the super old (but HUGE blessing) computer that my father gave to us because the really old one died, doesn't allow me to use my SD card.

knitted scrap afghan made with only bulky and chunky yarns & 15 needles
so soft and luxurious!

new "chair". wonder if Tony could find a smaller piece of furniture to nap on?

Johnson's Beach, Perdido Key

chubby toes, cute pedicure

finally found the much desired popcorn pan!! looks rough, but makes great popcorn!
it's been getting 'seasoned' for about 10-12 years now

Wisconsin on the Beach! Teo, Brandon, Kyle, Riley and Stefani!
The Mareno kids are some natural tanners

We are starting on week two of the graduates vacation. Feels like it's going way too fast. We had the privilege of having Kyle's best friend Brandon with us for the first 4 days of the vacation. He is with his Aunt, who lives in Pensacola, now.

I have, also, been knitting dishcloths like crazy. I need to get back to designing. It has been too long, but life has been too hectic to be able to set aside that much brain power. Thanks for sticking with me, though. Hope you keep enjoying the designs I do have done.