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Monday, November 01, 2010

Frog Pond Pattern

First, the purpose of the bag: It is a Frog Pond that houses 10, rainbow colored frogs.
Why ten?: To learn counting. This toy reinforces the 1-10 counting ability.
Why rainbow colors?: For color matching. 2 of each rainbow color affords little ones and their 'teachers' the ability to work on basic colors: Red, Yellow, Orange, Blue & Green and matching those colors into pairs.

The New & Improved Frog Pond Bag

Froggy Friends to Fill the Bag- Get the Pattern Here.


Snug as Bugs in a Rug. :-)
Frog Pond Bag Pattern
by Elizabeth Mareno 2010
Supplies:
Frogs/Flowers:1 skein each of Patons Astra (1.75 oz) Red, Green, Blue, White, Black & Yellow.
Frogs: 1 skein of Caron Simply Soft Mango (orange-only because Astra doesn't make an orange)
OR Any colors you want in a #3 light weight yarn or DK weight.
Bag: 1 skein of Red Heart Spring Green
Bag: 1 skein Blue-ish boucle (used a random WalMart brand for the project)
OR Any colors you want in 4ply worsted weight.
Water Lily: Tiny amount of Dark Sage Green WW yarn
Tiny amount of warm brown for "grass accents"
E hook
F hook
H hook
Large eye needle for assembly and 'cleaning up'
Fiberfill
BOTTOM: w/green & H hook
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6sc) do not join
R2- 2sc in each sc around (12sc)
R3- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (18sc)
R4- (sc in 2sc, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (24sc)
R5- (sc in 3sc, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (30sc)
R6- (sc in 4sc, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (36sc)
R7- (sc in 5sc, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (42sc)
R8- (sc in 6sc, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (48sc)
R9- (sc in 7sc, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (54sc)
R10- (sc in 8sc, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (60sc)
R11-20- Sc in each sc around.
Cut off, leaving an end to weave in.
WATER: w/blue
with inside of green bottom facing you. working in the open loops of sc from row 20.
Large Wave R1: sl st in any outside loop of open sc on row 20. ch3, 2dc in next loop, (dc in 1sc, 2dc in next sc) around (90dc)join with sl st to first ch 3(which counts as dc)
Large Wave R2: ch1, sc in sm sp, (hdc in next dc, dc in next dc, trc in next dc, dtrc in next dc, trc in next dc, dc in next dc, hdc in next dc, sc in next dc) repeat around. join with sl st to first sc. (11 waves)
Small Wave: sl st in any inside loop of open sc on row 20. ch1, sc in sm sp, (hdc in next loop, dc in next loop, trc in next loop, dc in next loop, hdc in next loop, sc in next loop) repeat pattern. join with sl st to first sc. (10 waves)
Main Water R1: with outside of bag facing you, but working on the 'inside' of the bag, sl st around the post of a sc of row 20. Sc around the post you have sl st'd around and sc around each post of row 20. (Essentially, you will be putting a row of sc around the posts of row 20 scs, creating the "building" row of your main water.) join with sl st to first sc.
R2: ch2, hdc in sm sp, hdc in each sc around. join with sl st to first hdc (not ch2). (60hdc)
R3-R10: ch2, hdc in sm sp, hdc in each hdc around. join with sl st to first hdc (not ch2). (60hdc)
R11: ch4 (cts as dc, ch1), (skip next hdc, dc in next hdc, ch1) repeat around. join with sl st to 3rd chain of original chain 4. (24dc)
R12: ch1, sc in each dc and ch1 around. join with sl st to first sc.
R13: ch1, sc in sm sp as join, (ch3, sk sc, sc in next sc) repeat around. join with sl st to sc. (24-ch3 sp) cut off.
Tie: Chain 101. sl st in 2nd chain from hook and each chain. Cut off, tuck ends and weave through the open spaces from R11.
WATERLILLIES: F hook
w/yellow
R1: ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6sc) do not join
R2: 2sc in each, cut off.
**w/petal color: attach w/ sl st to BLO of any sc. ch4, sc in 3ch(petal made), sl st in back loop of next sc, repeat petal all the way around. (12 back petals) do not attach to 1st petal
**sl st in the front loop of 1st sc, repeat petals in all open front loops of sc's. (12 front petals)
Secure, cut and weave in all ends. Then thread the tip of one side of Tie through the hole in the middle of the flower and put an overhand knot on the end of the tie to keep the flower from sliding off. Repeat this one more time with flower #2.
LILY PAD: w/WW yarn and H hook
R1: ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6sc)
R2: 2sc in each (12sc)
R3: (RS) (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) 3 times (9) leave rem 3 sc unworked
R4: ch1, turn, (sc in 2sc, 2sc in next) repeat to the end. do not join. (20sc) Finish off. Leave a long end for sewing on. Place where you want on the bag.
Cut several 3" pieces of Light green/Dark green and Brown. Latchook these onto the waves area to give the "idea" of pond grasses, etc.
*Disclaimer: I have done my best to make sure that all of the instructions are here. If you have any questions about the pattern, email me.**

The Meaning of November

Canibals?

November.

The month of my birth. (I'll be 39 this year...eek)

The month that causes me to catch my breath and try to remember where the rest of the year went and did I have fun?

The month that suddenly has me thinking "What do the kids want for Christmas?" and "Are we going to be able to afford it?" lol.

The month where I start planning out my Christmas baking and candy making.

The month where it seriously turns cold, hunters come to town and bloody deer get strapped to the roofs, trunks and hoods of vehicles.

The month of Thanksgiving, where we get together with family and enjoy each other while eating copious amounts of turkey, stuffing, potatoes and pie. Then we all need naps.

The month where I realize it will be better to just try to maintain the weight I am at than to try and lose weight for the next couple of months. lol

The month where I usually say "Oh! I should make socks for everyone in the family this year!!!"
Well, that only happened once....it won't ever happen again. :)

What does November mean to you?

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Froggy Friends

I want you to meet my new froggy friends and their future buddies.
I got the pattern for them here.
They were too adorable to not make.
Since I've redesigned the Frog Pond Bag (pictures and pattern coming soon!) and I totally love it this time....I decided it was time to make the little rainbow froggies to go inside.
I, also, decided that it would be entirely redundant to design little frogs of my own when there are a bazillion different frog patterns already available, most of them for free.
I decided, instead, to support another fiber artist and promote her pattern with my bag. :)
I have altered the pattern only in the application of eyes. I have sewn mine on with yarn. I am a terrible embroider-er-er(?)...I am not good at embroidery. Mine is always choppy and sloppy and sorta ugly. Beauty thing? Babies don't care. Mama's typically don't either. Most of them can't make it themselves and are just happy their kids can't chew it off and choke on them. I'm pretty psycho about making all toys teeny-tiny-child friendly.
So, if you don't look too closely at the eyes of my frogs, which are all crooked...every one... and look at them as a whole, you will realize they are way to cute to not have a home!

Monday, October 04, 2010

A Bit Tired & Crabby

The first of the striped mittens is completed. Almost everyone in my circle of people has tried it on. And almost every one, to a person, has said "Oh! It fits!"...like there was some question that it would...? Come on, people!

My daughter, being the high-maintenance gift receiver that she is, was irritated that the thumb was not black. When we talked about the order of the finger/thumb color repeats, we had discussed the thumb being black. Well, in all of my finger knitting...I forgot. I was going to do them blue when I had originally started them, and when it came time to do them..I just picked up the blue without another thought. By the time she realized the thumb was blue, I was about 5 or 6 rows into the thumb and I was not knitting them back. There is much disappointment in that blue thumb. It's an unexplainable disappointment. I have, yet again, failed her somehow.



Me and my ever-present pattern book just keep plugging along. I will finish her second mitten (which I offered to alter the color progression of the fingers and have the thumb be black...but no...they won't match, then) and wipe my hands of her neediness for a bit. It will be good to be done with this pair.



Then, it is on to my husband's black pair. They will be a wool blend to keep his previously frost bitten fingers warm.
And now, a personal moment: I have hit a whole new level of fatigue. I decided last Friday night, while my husband and daughter were at football games and my son was busy playing video games, that I would can. I started around 6 something and quit around 11. I was able to get cranberry sauce, spicy cranberry salsa, traditional salsa and caramel-apple jam canned. However, by the time I was done canning, I was keyed up. Couldn't even think about going to bed. All I wanted to do was knit and relax. Then A Few Good Men came on TBS and I just had to watch it! I mean, it was almost language free! I love that movie. So, I was up till 2am. yay. My plans for Saturday were to get up and go scrapbooking. I thought "I'll just sleep in and go when I wake up". Lucky me, I was up at 7:15. Plenty of time to get ready for scrapbooking! Saturday went fast, but I was up late again. Sunday dawned bright and EARLY....and I hauled my cookies out of bed for church. But, no nap for me during football cuz we had friends come over for the day. It was a nice time, but I spent alot of time yawning. Now, I am at the end of an extremely busy day at work. The phone rang non-stop with the temps in the 30's first thing in the morning. Now, I face an hour trip out of town to go grocery shopping and i. am. tired.
Tonight, I go to bed early. No excuses. Well, after Dancing with the Stars......

Friday, October 01, 2010

And So Another Pair Begins....

*sung to the tune of Onward Christian Soldiers*

Onward Knitting Soldiers,
marching as to war,
with our knitting needles,
wielded as a sword.
Daunted not by boredom,
or repetitiousness,
We will be the conquerors,
and make a matching set.

:)



I'm pretty sure I have too much time on my hands.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Second Mitten Syndrome

Second Mitten Syndrome is much like Second Sock Syndrome, only less eclectic and fun. When you have second sock syndrome you can still get away with wearing mismatched socks. It's all the rage...or at least it was a year or two ago. You could even get see through shoes to show off your funky sockness. But, second mitten syndrome is less charming. You don't look fun and funky...you look like some lamo who lost their mitten and should really have a string sewn on so you don't do that again!



The second mitten is much less exciting to make, cuz you've been there, done that. Just like the second sock. Anything you have to make two of.....well, pretty much drains all joy out of me.

So why do I do it? A) It's a sickness. B) It's a compulsion. C) There is a satisfaction derived from completing something that you dread doing. Almost like feeling that sense of inner accomplishment for eating that yogurt...when you really wanted a donut. And then you go back and eat the donut anyway cuz the yogurt really wasn't satisfying...but who's counting? You get 'points' for eating something healthy.

Has anyone ever added up their 'points'? If so, what do you get to use your 'points' for? That's a brain twister there.

Gloves I finished a week or so ago. I think I actually love making gloves way more than mittens. Don't know why. Maybe it's the fact that I feel like a freaking knitting goddess when they are done. They fit, they are functional AND they are pretty. :)
My macho, macho man was too cool for knitted gloves when I showed him the pattern I intended to make. "Nah...I don't need any gloves" he said. After I got the first one done, all of a sudden.."Yeah, these are pretty cool. I could use a black pair." Oh can you, now? And daughter pipes up..."Ooooo, Mom, I want these.....the ones with 1800 color changes and 50,000 ends that you'll have to weave in when you're done! Those are sweet!" *You really don't care if I ever work on another project, do you?*
So, onward, I knit. Loving and hating it all at the same time. While I know my family will "appreciate" the gloves. They will never "appreciate" what goes into them. I make it look way too easy. Sort of like watching my husband play any sport with a ball involved. How does anyone play that good all the time?? Or watching my daughter powerlift. How does anyone get that strong?? Or listening to my son tell me his latest ideas for books he wants to write. Where does he come up with this stuff???
I guess we all have our own gifts. World would be pretty boring if we were all the same, huh?

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Mittens for the Finished Hat

I started the mittens that will go with the hat. I do have a pattern for the mittens. It comes out of the Patons: Next Steps Seven, Mittens & Gloves book. It's the basic 4 needle mitten. I just added a few stripes of color to have it coordinate with the hat. Working on the second mitten now.


I'm sort of loving the way the two skeins I bought are pooling their colors so differently. The hat and top portion of the finished mitten are the
same skein. Bottom of mitten and the next mitten are the other ball. If I were going to be super anal about it, the differences would be driving me batty about now. But, seeing as how I'm the super laid back broad that I am, I am looking at this as sort of fun. I like the differences. I mean, that is why I bought hand-dyed, right?

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Finished Hat

We'll start off with a scary self portrait.
This is me, not at my best, but me all the same.

The hat is a bit short. Of course, this is the first time I've made a hat without a pattern to follow. I'm sure the next one will be better.

I figured I would give taking a picture of myself a try. I mean, my daughter takes about 50 pictures of herself a week....so how hard could it be, right? It's a lot harder than it looks. That is, if you want it straight.







Here we have the back of the hat.

I love the way that it turned out. I love the colors together. I even love the way the cables turned out. They were meant to be subtle and they certainly are that.

I don't know that I'm the neatest knitter. I can see lots of chunkiness in my decreases, etc. Of course, that may be the weight of the yarn. The mystery wool from Bayfield is chunky and rough, but boy is it warm.

Currently working on mittens to match.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Hat Turned Swatch

I finally came out of my funk this week and decided I was going to try my hand at working with the hand-dyed mystery wool I picked up in Bayfield at the beginning of the month.

I broke out the size 6 bamboo dpn's (they are the only ones that I own that have 5 to a pkg) and cast on 80 stitches, 20 per needle. I thought...gads...80 stitches should be plenty for an adult size hat. Um, no. Try, small child.

As I knit right along I was falling in love with it. I even got all crazy and threw in a few segments of leftover llama/mix/handspun that I had picked up at a different craft fair about 4 years ago. I even made some baby cables in there. Ya know, just me being all awesome and stuff and showing off my crazy knitting skills. *rolling eyes* I don't have crazy knitting skills, folks. You have no idea how I struggle through cables. I love, love, love the way they look...I do not love, love, love making them. I either have the wrong size cable needle, hence the 'slipping' that occurs frequently causing me to "Ahhh!! Nobody MOVE! I dropped a needle!!"....(my family loves it) OR I just suck at making cables and end up making them out to be WAY harder than they need to be. Either way, it's a handicap for me.

So anywho, I noticed that the hat just did not seem to be of adult proportions right about the beginning of the gray llama yarn. But, I thought to myself, "oh I'll just make this a child's cap", until I got done with the gray and went a little on the green and wanted to start decreasing. My inner knitter cried out, "NO!! This is all wrong! This is supposed to be an adult hat!" I could not continue. I would be living a lie. Lord knows I have more than enough yarn to make this adult hat. (how many stitches???) This little hat became a practice swatch that will be taken apart.

****
Frogging commenced and I have neat little balls of yarn waiting to be re-knit into my happy little wool hat. I'm making it up as I go, so who knows what it's gonna look like..??

Monday, September 20, 2010

Fun & Funky Witch Costume - 18" Doll Pattern

Fun & Funky Witch Costume- 18" Doll Pattern

by Elizabeth Mareno







**Corrections in RED**

Materials:
Caron Simply Soft Black
Small amts- Lime Grn, Purple & Orange
F hook, Lg Eye Yarn Needle for finishing.
Gauge:
18 sc/20 rows = 4"x4" square using Caron SS

Bodice:
ch 50- join to make a ring- don't twist.
Row 1- ch1, sc in sm sp as join and each ch around. sl st to first sc. (50)
Row 2-10- ch1, sc in each sc, join. (50)
Row 11-15- ch1, turn, sc in each sc.
Left Back: (RS)
Row 16-24- ch1, turn, sc in 10
Row 25- ch1, turn, sc in 5, lv rem st undone.
Row 26-27- ch1, turn, sc in 5. Cut
Right Back: (RS) sk 30 from left back. reattach with black in next sc.
Row 16- ch1, sc in sm sp as join and next 9 sc.
Row 17-24- ch1, turn, sc in each sc.
Row 25- do not ch1, turn, sl st in 6sc, ch1, sc in sm st and next 4 sc. (5)
Row 26-27- Ch1, turn, sc in 5. Cut.
Front: (RS) from left back, sk 7, reattach w/sl st.
Row 16- ch1, sc in sm sp and next 15sc. (16)
Row 17-19- ch1, turn, sc in each.
**Left Front
Row 20- ch1, turn, sc in 8.
Row 21- ch1, turn, sc dec, sc in rem sc (7)
Row 22- ch1, turn, sc in 5, sc dec (6)
Row 23- ch1, turn, sc dec, sc in 4 (5)
Row 24- ch1, turn, sc in each.
Row 25-27- ch1, turn, sc in each. Cut.
**Right Front-(RS) reattach w/ sl st to 1st open sc,
Row 20- ch1, sc in sm sp and next 7 (8)
Row 21- ch1, turn, sc in 6, sc dec. (7)
Row 22- ch1, turn, sc dec, sc in 5 (6)
Row 23- ch1, turn, sc in 4, sc dec (5)
Row 24-27- ch1, turn, sc in each. Cut

**Sew shoulder seams with right sides together.

Skirt: (RS) working on opposite side of starting chain, attach with black to sc at back seam.
Row 1- ch1, sc in sm st and each ch around. join. (50)
Row 2- ch2, hdc in sm sp, hdc in next 4sc, (2hdc in next, hdc in 4) around, join to ch2. (60)
Row 3- ch2, hdc around.
Row 4- ch2, hdc in sm sp, hdc in 4, (2hdc in next, hdc in 4) around (72)
Row 5- ch2, hdc around. Cut off.
Row 6- Change to Orange, attach orange in sm st as join, ch1, sc in join and each sc around. (72)
Cut off.
Row 7- Change to black, attach orange in sm sp as join, ch2, hdc in join, hdc in 5 (2hdc in next, hdc in 5) around. Join. (84)
Row 8- 9- ch2, hdc in each hdc. join.
Row 10- Change to Green. Repeat row 6 (84)
Row 11-13- Change to black, ch2, hdc in each.
Row 14- Change to Purple, repeat row 6 . Cut off, weave in ends.

Sleeves: with black, join to round 15 of bodice.
Row 1- ch2, hdc in each sc and row end. (31)
Row 2- ch2, hdc in each, cut.
Row 3- Change to Orange, ch1, sc in each. Cut.
Row 4- Change to black, ch2, hdc in sm sp as join, hdc in 4, (2hdc in next, hdc in 4)5times, hdc in last hdc. (37)
Row 5- ch2, hdc in each.
Row 6- Change to Green, ch1, sc in each.
Row 7- Change to Black, ch2, hdc around. (37)
Row 8- ch2, hdc in sm sp as join, hdc in next 2, (2hdc, hdc in next 2) around, hdc in last hdc. Cut
Row 9- Change to Purple, ch1, sc around. Cut.

**Back trim- with black, join with sl st to bottom of back opening, sc in each row end up to corner. Cut. Join with sl st to opposite corner, ch1, sc in join and each row end to bottom of back.Finish.
**With Green- ch30, attach with sl st to back trim row end, ch1, sc in sm sp and each sc across to inner corner, sc dec, sc across row ends of shoulder to front "V", sc up other side to opp. inner corner, sc dec, sc across rem sc and back trim row end. ch31, Cut.

Collar: Optional
Row 1- ch7, sc in 2nd ch and each sc (6)
Row 2- ch1, turn, sc dec, sc in 2, sc dec (4)
Row 3- ch1, turn, sc in each.
Row 4- ch1, turn, sc dec twice (2)
Row 5- ch1, turn, sc
Row 6- ch1, turn, sc dec once.
Row 7- turn on edge, sc in each row end, 3 sc in each corner.
**Sew to neckline on ch7 edge, can tack tip down or leave free.

Belt: Optional
Row 1- With Green- ch80, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each, 3sc in last ch, working on opp side of ch, sc in each ch. (159)
Row 2- ch1, turn, sc in 78, 2sc in next 3sc, sc in 78sc. (162)
Row 3- ch1, turn, sc in 78, 2sc in next 2sc, 3sc in 2sc, 2sc in next 2sc, sc in 78. Cut leaving a long end for sewing buckle on.

Buckle:
ch25, sc in 2nd ch from hook and next, 2sc in next, (sc in 2, 2sc) across, sc in last.
Put RS to RS on end and sc together, ch7, sl st to sc on opp side of circle. Finish off.
**Attach to belt by weaving onto flat end of belt, fold belt end over and sew in
place.


Hat: Starting at top with black
Row 1- ch2, 5sc in 2nd ch, do not join.
Row 2- sc in each sc
Row 3- (sc in 1, 2sc) twice, sc in last (7)
Row 4-5- sc in each
Row 6- (2sc in 1, 1sc in 1) around, sc in last(10)
Row 7- sc in each
Row 8- (sc in 2, 2sc) around , sc in last(13)
Row 9- sc in each
Row 10- (sc in 1, 2sc) around, sc in last (19)
Row 11- sc in each
Row 12- repeat row 10 (28)
Row 13- sc in each, join and cut.
Row 14- Change to Orange, after attaching, repeat row 10, join and cut. (42)
Row 15- Change to Black, after attach, sc in each, join.
Row 16-17- ch1, sc around, join.
Row 18- Change to gree, after attach, ch1, (sc in 5, 2sc in next) 7 times (49)
Row 19- Change to Black, after attach, ch1, sc in each. (49)
Row 20- ch1, (sc in 6, 2sc) around. (56)
Row 21- ch1, sc (56)
Row 22- Change to Purple, after attach, ch1, sc in each (56) join.
Row 23- ch1, FLO (sc, 2sc) around (84)
Row 24- ch1,both loops (sc in 5, 2sc) around.(98)
Row 25- ch1,( sc in 31, 2sc in next) 3 times, sc in last 2, join (101) Cut and weave ends.

Spider:
With green, ch2, 6 sc in 2nd ch. Join. Cut leaving long end. Sew to hat and use long end to embroider legs.

Trick or Treat/Evening Bag: with black, ch7
Row 1- 3sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 4 ch, 3 sc in last ch. working on opp side of ch, sc in next 4 ch, join with 1st sc.
Row 2- ch1, 3sc in join, 1sc in next, 3 sc in next, sc in next 4, (3sc, 1sc, 3sc) in next 3 sc, sc in last 4, join.
Row 3- ch1, sc in join, 3sc in next, sc in 3, 3 sc in next, sc in 6, (3sc, sc in 3, 3 sc) sc in last 6, join.
Row 4- ch1, BLO, sc in join and each sc around. join.
Row 5- ch1, both loops, sc in each.
Row 6-11- ch1, sc in each, join, cut
Row 12- Change to Green, ch1, sc in sm sp as join, sc in each sc around. cut and weave in ends.
On Sides- attach with green and sl st on one end, ch14, sk 8sc, sl st in next, sl st in 7sc, ch14, sk 8sc, sl st in next. (handles made)

© Bizzy Crochet and Design 2010



Low Gluten-Dairy Free Waffles- Recipe

Hello all you wonderful people! I figured its time for a recipe. I haven't posted one in just forever! This time it is WAFFLES!! Yum, every Saturday morning should be filled up with waffles! I call these low-gluten because they are made with Spelt, which can usually be consumed by people who have an irritation to traditional wheat products. Not celiac's! They still need to avoid, because Spelt is part of the wheat family and does contain a certain amount of gluten. Go here to read up on Spelt to see if it will work for you. I am not celiac, but I do not tolerate wheat well. You should be able to find it at any well-stocked health food store.
Now to the recipe.
This recipe is adapted from Better Homes New Cook Book copyright dated 1989. It is actually their pancake recipe that ended up working out better as a waffle batter after I made all the substitutions for our dietary needs. I double or triple this recipe for Saturday morning feeds depending on how many of us are home. They are very light, but very filling.

Saturday Morning Waffles (Low-Gluten, Dairy-Free)

1 Cup White Spelt Flour
1 Tblsp Turbinado (aka Raw) Sugar
2 tsps Aluminum Free Baking Powder
1/4 tsp Salt
1 Beaten Egg (use egg substitute if you need)
1 Cup Rice Milk (or any non-dairy milk substitute)
2 Tblsp Oil (we use walnut oil)

In a mixing bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking pwdr and salt. In another mixing bowl combine egg, milk and oil. Add to flour mixture all at once. Stir mixture till blended but still slightly lumpy.

Pour about 1/3 cup batter onto waffle iron. For whatever reason, I find that it doesn't matter if I put just less than 1/3 cup or a full 1/3 cup...so I use the same amount with each waffle. It either doesn't reach the edge of the waffle iron and I have anemic looking waffles or this happens:
The same 1/3 cup that I put on the waffle iron...every time....
Served with Pure Wisconsin Maple Syrup.
I need to buy some from the local farms for this winter.
Some of us like to dunk.
Others of us are less...civilized...and drown our waffles.

Still, yet, some of us are a little more creative and use peach preserves made with honey.
Hubby doesn't eat Maple Syrup.

He did not feel as though his presentation was complete without
showing you the waffles with their
turkey breakfast sausage companions.
Don't you love my 70's Corelle? LOL
HOPE YOU ENJOY!

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Labor Day Stuff

Labor Day weekend was a very full weekend for us.

Saturday we started it off by heading to Bayfield for the day. Isn't it weird how there really isn't a convenient time to plan a day trip? You just have to slam it into your schedule and not apologize for its invasion of your routine. That's what the trip to Bayfield was like for us. Not convenient, but Oh, such a necessity. This year we got to take some good friends of ours. The Bushman's. Sam had never been before. Her husband and kids had gone the year before with his parents, but this still seemed like a new experience for them. We showed them our once-a-year haunts and favorite stores. We walked the cobblestone streets down to the used book store and perused the overpriced handmade pieces of art in the various shops that line the road. We, finally, after much nagging and grumbling by children, made it to the candy shop where much fudge and salt water taffy was purchased by all. Not to mention the rock candy and various caramels.... We ate our lunch @ Maggie's, as usual, and enjoyed a quick walk through of the local farmer's market where I acquired some lovely hand dyed wool (the picture beneath the group). And walked along the pier before heading out into the country to visit an orchard we like. They have a wonderful blueberry wine that we bought a bottle of for a Christmas present. We also bought some early apples( "Wealthy's" to be exact) that I plan to turn into applesauce and can this weekend. (Find out more about Bayfield @ their official Blog, it's a lovely place.)



The wind, she was a-blowin' hard!!
Lake Superior & the Apostle Islands behind us.

Hand-dyed wool.




Sunday we hung out at my parents for lunch and then went home and did NOTHING! Hallelujah!:)
Monday dawned bright and frisky. We decided to take another day trip, this time to Wausau. We had some grocery shopping that needed to be done and we figured we would do some other shopping while we were there, as well. As we were getting read to walk out the door I grabbed my crocheted market bags and realized that I didn't have enough of one particular kind. It's nice and roomy and has a much better handle than the tall, skinny ones I made (sorry no pics of those). So, I quick grabbed a J hook and a cone of cotton and away we went. I decided to make another bag on the way to Wausau (hour and a half trip, one way). I got about 1/2 done on the way down. Here I have pics of the start:
Nearly full cone of Americana colored Peaches n Creme (can't remember the real name).


The start of my bag.

The pattern....lol

Finished her up last night.

My teeny-weeny cone of leftovers. lol.
This will probably get me one or two more dishcloths.
Now, I just need to remember to take them into the store and use them. :)

Thursday, September 02, 2010

I've Been Given An Award!!! Cool!!


Kristine @ www.kristine-creativecrochet.blogspot.com has bestowed a most lovely award upon my blog! It is actually the very first award I've ever received, and how fun!! Thanks Kristine! So now, the program says I am to name 7 random things about myself. Gads, what haven't I told you?
1) My eyes are deep, hunter green.
2) After I sold my yarn store, it took me almost 6 months to pick up a hook or needle again.
3) The sound of thunderstorms relaxes me.
4) I love the smell of my dog right after a bath.
5) My greatest want in life is to live in the country again and have a small farm where we raise our own meat. I miss the quiet and solitude of the country.
6) I am an impulsive person. I have had to learn through many hard lessons to be more conscious and think things through.
7) I realized the other day that I am a perfectionist. While there are many things in life that I just let go, there are just as many things that I hold to an extremely high standard. Punctuality being one of them.
I am passing this award along to these people who should grab it, post it and pass it on (to steal some of Kristine's words)....
Visit these blogs and enjoy!

Monday, August 30, 2010

New Pattern Project



Here's a preview of the colors. The yarns are Red Heart Super Saver "Spring Green" and some No Boundaries WalMart brand boucle yarn I picked up about 5 years ago and it just keeps hanging around my stash. I'm sure that it could be substituted with another Red Heart yarn. The product label on the WalMart yarn calls for a size K, so I'm sure another worsted weight will be more than sufficient.

I am starting the pattern today and will post pictures as I get some things done. :)

This is going to be another Learning Baby Toy.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

A Little Bit of This and A Little Bit of That

As I sit here scarfing my lunch (soooper hungry) of leftover sauteed peppers, onions, garlic and zucchini with feta cheese and a homemade spelt pita....I remember the pictures of Toby that I promised to share with you featuring the Barnyard Gang.
There is only one picture of the carnage that I won't be able to show you. It is on my phone and although I carry a small media center around in my purse, the one cable I don't have is the one for my phone to connect to the computer. I will, however, describe the picture to you. It's a little blurry. Lola is dangling from my mother's cupboard by her tail, upside down, udder facing out. No one is quite sure how Toby, who is 13 months old, was able to coordinate such an effort. But, it made for a hilarious picture. One I really, really wanted to show you. :) It's a testament to the hardy structure of the toy itself. From the moment Lola came out of the bag, she was one of his favorites (the other was Jedediah's hat). He tried to behead her, de-tail her and rip most of the rest of her limbs off as well. Watching him play with the Barnyard Gang reaffirmed for me why I double sew everything on. It needs to last and not be a choking hazard. And Toby would have found a way to make it a choking hazard, if he could. LOL
Without further ado...here's Toby.
Notice that Bob is almost flat? He's gotten crawled over a few times...

So that was the Tobinator.
Next up: Baby Socks.
When I was looking through my yarn stash a day or so ago I came across little balls of leftover sock yarn. So, yesterday, I got a wild hair and decided that I needed to make some baby socks out of those little balls. The balls looked so small to me I thought, "I won't be able to get more than one baby sock out of each of those balls. This'll be a great way to stash bust some of this mess out of here, baby socks work up fast AND I'll be able to work my way back into sock making (I haven't touched them in almost 2 years)." Well. Let me share a little secret. Little balls of sock yarn make many baby socks. Because the little balls of yarn sit in my bag and reproduce...so they never end. Ever.
I did have a grand time surfing the web for baby sock patterns, though, and I printed off a pile of them to make. I am going to do with these what I did with the dishcloth patterns I printed off. I want to make at least one pair of every pattern I printed. I am 1 sock done on the first pattern. lol I know I made it sound like I had knitted 15 socks off of one ball, but I didn't. Only one sock...but I was so sure that darn thing would've taken up alot more yarn than it did.
Here's the picture and pattern of my fat, little baby socks.

Here is the extra yarn I brought with me today. Although if I don't get off this computer, I won't even finish the second sock to the first pair....
Here's the list of patterns I will be tackling in the next few days in an effort to **Bust the Stash** (insert loud, echo-ey announcers voice here):
and some Just for Fun items from Lion Brand Yarn Company:
*You will have to sign up for free membership to view these patterns*
Thought Stefani might enjoy a pair of the leg warmers. We'll see if I have enough ambition to get them done. lol
Tah!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Barnyard Gang Toy Bag Pattern



Barnyard Gang Toy Bag Pattern
by Elizabeth Mareno


An ad-free version of this pattern can be purchased on ETSY or my website.

If you are here from the Cozy Comfort Cancer Hop on Facebook, click here and use today's coupon code to receive a PDF copy of the pattern FREE!



BARNYARD GANG
by Elizabeth Mareno

Skill: Intermediate or Advanced Beginner (due to color changes and assembly)



Supplies:
(all amounts are approx, you may need more or less depending on how tightly you stitch)
FOR BARN:
4oz Red (used RHSS Cherry Red)
2oz Black (used RHSS Black)
Small amt Brown (used RHSS Warm Brown)
Small amt White (used RHSS White)
Small amt Gold (used RHSS Gold) for straw in window (optional)
FOR ANIMALS: Approx an ounce of each
Horse: Dk Brown (used Patons Astra Dark Tan)
Lt Brown (used Patons Astra Med Tan)
Black- for hooves (used Caron SS Black)
Tiny amt of eye color
Farmer: Skin color (used Caron SS Off White)
Pants Color (used Patons Astra Hot Blue)
Shirt Color (used Patons Astra School Bus Yellow)
Boot Color (used Patons Astra Dark Tan)
Hat Color (used Patons Astra Med Tan)
Tiny amt for hair, eye, smile
Chicken: White (used Patons Astra White)
Red (used Patons Astra Hot Red)
Yellow (used Patons Astra School Bus Yellow)
Tiny amt black for eyes
Pig: Pink (used Patons Astra Bright Pink)
Tiny amt of black for eyes
Cow: Black (used Caron SS Black)
White (used Patons Astra White)
Pink (used Patons Astra Bright Pink)
Tiny amt of brown for eyes


F Hook and H or G Hook
Polyester Fiberfill, Needle for assembly & embroidery, Scissors, Stitch marker
2- 5/8" Buttons, preferrably shank
Small piece of plastic canvas, about 3" circle


Front, door closed

Front, door open



Back with 'fence'


BARN BAG: with larger hook
Start with Warm Brown: Bottom (tutorial video below)
Row 1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch. (6) do not join.
Row 2- 2sc in each sc (12)
Row 3- (1sc, 2sc in next) around. (18)
Row 4- (1sc in 2, 2sc in next) around (24)
Row 5- (1sc in 3, 2sc in next) around (30)
Row 6-10- continue increasing 1 sc per stitch series until you have (1sc in 8sc, 2sc in next). (60)
Row 11- BLO (back loops only) sc in each sc (60)
Row 12- in Both Loops, sc in each (60) Cut Brown, Attach Red and continue
Row 13-20- repeat row 12 (60)
Row 21- BLO- (sc in 8, sc dec) around (54)
Row 22- in Both Loops(sc in 7, sc dec) around (48)
Row 23-28- continue decreasing 1sc per stitch series until you have (sc in 1, sc dec) (12)
**Begin to stuff firmly at about row 25, placing the piece of plastic canvas on the bottom before filling- Make sure your open loops are to the outside or right side.
Row 29- (sc dec) around. (6)
Finish off leaving a long end.
Using needle sew top closed and weave ends.


Bottom of the Bag Tutorial


Continue with Red: Body (tutorial video below)
Row 1- Attach with sc to any open loops from row 21 of bottom. Sc in each open loop around. (60 ) *I did this so my jagged color changes were to the back of the bag.
Row 2- sc in 50sc, ch 1, turn. (50)
Row 3-14- Repeat row 2
Row 15- sc in 50, ch 10, join to 1st sc across opening w/sl st. (50sc, 10ch)
Row 16- sc in each sc and ch around. (60)
Row 17-27- sc in each sc around (60) Finish off.


Body of the Bag Tutorial

With Black: Top **do not join unless noted**
Row 1- Ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook. (6)
Row 2- sc in each sc (6)
Row 3- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) around. (9)
Row 4- sc in each (9)
Row 5- (sc in 2sc, 2sc in next) around (12)
Row 6- sc in each (12)
Row 7- (sc in 3sc, 2sc in next) around (15)
Row 8- (sc in 4sc, 2sc in next) around (18)
Row 9- (sc in 2sc, 2sc in next) around (24)
Row 10- Repeat row 9 (32)
Row 11- (sc in 3sc, 2sc in next) around (40)
Row 12- Repeat row 11 (50)
Row 13-14- sc in each (50)
Row 15- (sc in 4sc, 2sc in next) around (60) Mark this row
Row 16- (sc in 5sc, 2sc in next) around (70)
Row 17-18- sc in each (70)
Row 19- (sc in 6sc, 2sc) around (80). Finish off.
Row 20-From bottom side of roof attach black around post from row 15 (marked row), ch1, sc in same space. Sc around post of each sc of row 15 (60) join.
Row 21-24- ch1, sc in sm sp as join, sc in each sc, join.
Finish off. Leave long piece for sewing to barn body. *Don't put on yet!*


Barn Roof Tutorial



With Red: Door
Row 1- ch12, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (11)
Row 2-14- ch1, turn, sc in each. Do not cut @ the end of row 14
Row 15- working on the outside, evenly space sc on the ends of each row, in each sc and open loop from starting ch, put 3sc in each corner. Cut.
**Slip stitch decoration on outside of door with white.
**Loops for door closure: attach w/red and a sl st to side of door, ch5, sl st in sm sp. Tie off. Do this twice, evenly spaced.
Attach door & Buttons to front of Barn


With White: Fence Posts- Make 4 total
-Ch 19, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (18) Cut off.
**Sew on evenly space with bottom of fence post touching the brown(dirt).
**Sl St "fencing" between fence posts.
*Attach Roof Now!*

Handle: with red
R1- ch8, sc in 2nd ch and each (7)
R2-50- ch1, turn, sc in each
Cut off, attach to side of barn with buttons on it.

Barn Door, Window, Fence Posts, and Handle Tutorial




Chuck, The Horse, Front View

Chuck, The Horse, Side View


HORSE: with smaller hook
With Dark Brown: Body
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6) do not join
R2- 2sc in each (12)
R3- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) around (18)
R4- (sc in 2sc, 2sc in next) around (24)
R5-15- sc in each sc (24)
R16- (sc in 2sc, dec) around (18) Stuff
R17- (sc in 1sc, dec) around (12)
R18- (sc dec) around (6)
Finish off, weave end and pull tight. 

With Dark Brown: Head
R1- Ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6)
R2- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) (9)
R3-4- Sc in each
R5- 2sc in 3sc, sc in rem (12)
R6-7- Sc in each
R8- sc in 2sc, 2sc in 2sc, sc in rem sc (14)
R9- Sc in each
R10- Sc dec around (7)
R11- sc dec around, sc in last sc (4)
Finish off, weave end and pull tight.

With Dark Brown: Neck
R1- ch14, join, ch1, sc in each ch (14) join
R2-4- ch1, sc in sm sp as join, sc in each sc, join (14)
R5- ch1, (sc dec, sc in 2) 3 times, sc dec, join(10)
R6-7- ch1, sc in each sc.
Sew on to head, making sure "bump" from head is facing up.
**EARS** Join w/ sl st around post of sc on top of one side of the head, 4sc in sm sp, sl st to other side of head, 4sc in a spot an equal distance from the other. Finish off.
**Stuff neck and sew to body, making sure the head stays "straight"**

With Black & Dark Brown: Legs (make 4)
Start w/black
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join (6)
R2- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) around (9)
R3- sc in each (9) Cut black, join dark brown
R4- with dk brwn, sc in each (9)
R5-13- sc in each.
Finish off. Flatten edges, sew to the underside of the body, 2 on each side.
**For Mane and Tail**- Cut pieces of Lt Brown 3-4" long. Attach to the neck & butt area with a "latch hook style" attachment. Do as many or as few pieces as you like.

Jedediah, The Farmer, with Chuck, The Horse

Jedediah, The Farmer, Taking A Break
THE FARMER: with smaller hook
With Skin Color: Farmer
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6) do not join
R2- 2sc in each sc around (12)
R3- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) (18)
R4-8- sc in each (18)
R9- sc dec around (9) Stuff
R10- (sc in 1sc, dec) around (6)
R11- sc in each sc (6)
R12- 2sc in each sc (12) Mark Row, Change to shirt color
R13- (sc in1sc, 2sc in next ) around (18)
R14-16- sc in each sc (18)
Change to bib color
R17-21- Sc in each (18)
R22- (sc in 1sc, dec) around (12) Stuff
R23- (dec) around (6) sl st tojoin, finish off, weave ends tightening up bottom.

With Shoe color & Pants Color: Legs (make 2, don't stuff)
Start with shoe color
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join (6)
R2- 2sc in each sc (12)
R3- sc in 4sc, sc dec twice, sc in 4sc (10)
R4- sc in 4sc, sc dec once, sc in 4sc (9) Change to pants/bib color
R5-13- sc in each
Finish off. Flatten edge and sew on to bottom part of body, evenly spaced

With Skin Color & Shirt Color: Arms (make 2, don't stuff)
start with skin color
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join (6)
R2-3- sc in each (6)
Change to shirt color
R4-10- sc in each sc.
Finish off, sew to body @ row 12 (marked row)
**Straps for Pants** Attach with blue with a sl st to post of sc from first row of pants color. ch15, attach to backside of pants with sl st around post of first row of pants color. Make 2
Finish off. Weave ends.
**Embroider hair, eyes & mouth**

With Hat Color: Hat
Repeat rows 1-3 of farmer body
R4- (sc in 2sc, 2sc in next) around (24)
R5- sc in each (24) join with FLO of 1st sc
Working in FLO for the next round
R6- ch2, hdc in sm sp and next 3sc, (2hdc in next sc, hdc in 3sc) to ch2, sl st and cut off. (30)
Sl st "hat band" in complementary color.


Boy and Girl Farmer Tutorial



Bob, The Chicken, Side View

Bob, The Chicken, Front View

Bob, The Chicken, Tail Feather View


CHICKEN: with smaller hook


With White: Body
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join(6)
R2- 2sc in each sc (12)
R3- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) around (18)
R4- (sc in 2sc, 2sc in next) around (24)
R5- (sc in 3sc, 2sc in next) around (30)
R6-7- sc in each
R8- (sc in 3sc, dec) around (24)
R9- (sc in 2sc, dec) around (18)
R10- (sc in 1sc, dec) around (12) Stuff
R11- (sc dec) around (6).
Cut off, weave and pull tight. Weave ends.


With White: Tail
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6)
R2- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) around (9)
R3-4- sc in each
R5- (sc in 2sc, 2sc in each) around (12)
R6- (sc in 3sc, 2sc in each) around (15) sl st to join.
Cut off, leaving a long end for attachment. Lightly stuff. Sew to one edge of top of body. Follow picture for placement.


With White: Tail Feathers
Attach yarn around sc post from chickens body just below tail's end with a slip stitch.
R1- ch3, sl st around post of next row up- repeat, working @ an angle towards the tip of the tail, then work down the opposit side finishing at the same row as beginning sl st.
R2- w/o chaining, turn, sl st in 1st ch3 loop from previous row, ch3, sl st in next ch3 loop. repeat this until you reach the last loop. Cut off yarn and weave in ends.
Follow picture for guidance on placement.


With White: Head
Repeat Tail through Row 6
R 7-8 Sc in each sc
Sl st to join, Cut


With Yellow: Beak
R1- ch2, 2sc in 2nd ch from hook (2)
R2- ch1, turn, 2sc in each sc (4)
R3- ch1, turn, 1 sc in each (4)
Cut. Fold row 3 in 1/2. Sew to face
With Red: Wattle
R1- ch3, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in last ch. (6)
*Sew under beak
*Embroider eyes with black
With Red: Comb
Attach w/ sl st around post of sc from row 4 of head. Repeat 1st row of tail feathers for 4 loops. Comb should end "between" the eyes.
With Yellow: Legs (make 2)
R1- Ch5, sc in 2nd ch and each ch across. (4)
Cut. Sew to bottom.

Paco, The Pig, Front View

Paco, The Pig, Side View
PIG: with smaller hook
With Pink: Body
Repeat Horse Body
With Pink: Head
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6)
R2- 2sc in each sc (12)
R3- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) around (18)
R4- (sc in 2sc, 2sc in next) around (24)
R5-6- sc in each
R7- (sc in 2sc, sc dec) around (18)
R8- (sc in 1sc, sc dec) around (12) Stuff
R9- (sc dec) around (6)
Cut, Leave opening. Sew to body
With Pink: Ears (make 2)
Repeat chicken beak and place on head equal distance apart.
With Pink: Nose
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6)
R2- in BLO, sc in each (6)
R3- in both loops, sc in each
Do not stuff. If you will be giving your pig nostrils, embroider them on before you attach the nose to the face. Sew nose into place.
**Embroider eyes and mouth**
With Pink: Legs (make 4)
Repeat for snout through row 3
R4- Sc in each.
Cut, and sew on.
With Pink: Tail
Ch7, 3sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across.
Sew on to butt.

Lola, The Cow, Front View

Lola, The Cow, Side View

Lola, The Cow, Udder View
DUTCH-BELTED or "OREO" COW: with smaller hook
Body:
With Black- Repeat horse body to row 7, change to white
With White- Repeat horse body rows 8-13, change to black
With Black- Repeat horse body for rows 14-18.
Finish off.
With Pink & Black: Head
start with pink/nose
R1-ch3, 2sc in 2nd ch from hook, 2sc in last ch, (work opp side of ch), 2sc in sm st, 2sc in last ch. (8sc)
R2- sc in 1, 2sc in 2, sc in 5sc. (10) join.
R3- ch1, sc in join, sc dec twice, sc in 5 (8) join. change to black
R4- ch1, sc in join and each sc around (8) do not join, work in rounds again.
R5- 2sc in 5sc, sc in rem 3 sc (13)
R6- sc in 2, 2sc in 6sc, sc in 5sc. (19)
R7-8- sc in each
R9- sc in 5sc, sc dec 5 times, sc in 4sc (14)
R10- (sc in 1sc, sc dec) 4 times, sc in last 2sc (10) Stuff
R11- sc dec around (5).
Cut and close.
With Black: Ears (make 2)
R1- Ch4, sc in 2nd ch and next, 3sc in last ch, (working opposite side of chain) sc in last 2 ch. (7)
Apply to side of head
With Black: Neck
R1- ch11, join w/o twisting to make a circle. sc in join and each chain. (11) join with sl st, ch1.
R2-4- sc in each sc, join.
Cut, sew head to neck, making sure the head is straight, stuff neck and sew to body.
With Pink: Udder
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6)
R2- *(sc in 1sc, ch4-sl st in 1st ch (teet), sc in sm st) 2times, 2sc in next sc, repeat from * once. (12sc-4teets)
R3- skipping teets- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) around (18)
R4- sc in each (18)
Cut, sew to under belly, leaving a small opening for stuffing. Stuff and sew shut.
With Black: Legs (make 4-don't stuff)
R1- ch2, 7sc in 2nd ch from hook (7)
R2-10- sc in each.
Cut, sew to body.
With Black: Tail
ch10- attach to butt with a sl st. Cut some 3" pieces of black yarn and tie to tail end.

Hey, Hey, The Gang's All Here!!
**Any technical difficulties or questions, don't hesitate to email me and I'll try to help!**
Hope you have as much fun making this as I did. :)
Biz




Crafting Memories: Section 5 of the Memories Blanket CAL

     Crafting Memories: Section 5 of the Memories Blanket CAL Oh my gosh!! It's the last week of the Memories CAL already!! I can't ...