Happy New Year~

If the picture seems fuzzy, you've had enough to drink!

Wishing you & yours a Very Happy New Year!

Red Heart has a new yarn, it's with Love Yarn



Reviewed by Christine Weiher, editor for AllFreecrochet.com





Red Heart with Love yarn is a premium worsted acrylic yarn that comes in 28 bright and bold colors. This yarn was made in the U.S. from premium acrylic fibers that are engineered to be softer and keep its shape. You are literally going to fall in Love with this yarn as you are working your project up. The more projects you make, the more you'll fall in love with the yarn.


And if you go to This Page, you can enter a drawing to win 3 skeins of it!  I just did, you should too!

Victorian Christmas at the Agrirama - Saturday Decrmber 10, 2011

On Saturday, December 10, 2011 I was given the opportunity to take part in the Victorian Christmas Celebration at the Agrirama here.  My table was set up inside the Museum, along with other sellers.  We were entertained by three groups of talented Cloggers early in the day, and later by three sisters who sang carols.  Their voices were amazing and the accoustics gave them a slight echo effect that added to their natural abilities.  It was a very moving experience.

You can see dozens of photos at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village photo pages on Facebook.

This was our table, although you can't see it very well;



We had a great time and plan to take part in the Spring Folklife Festival that is scheduled to happen on April 14, 2012.  That time we will set up outside, unless the spring rains fall, in which case they will move us indoors again.

The children who came to our table were the most fun.  They loved the things we had set out, and were thrilled when they had enough money to buy one of them, and when we gave them something for free.  We had a big lot of "Scrappers" to give away, and gave some of the hamsters away, and a bunch of bead necklaces.  I think we had even more fun giving things to them than they had, although from what others told us, the kids were thrilled with their goodies.

The following pictures are photos shot by the Agrirama photographers, in the fiber area;

These kettles are the way my grandmother dyed her fiber, both cotton and wool.

 As you can see, it also dyes the hands of the worker~

 Isn't the fiber lovely hanging to dry?

One of the purposes of the Agrirama is to educate the young, and old, about the ways out ancestors lived, worked, and ate. 

The carolers were warming up on the front porch of one of the old homes at the Agrirama.

Singing to a small group of people who were walking the Museum grounds.

I hope to get a LOT of photos on my own at the Spring Festival.  But if not, you can always see lots of them at Georgia-Museum-of-Agriculture-and-Historic-Village

Please, read this and be careful when out shopping!

This is hardly the kind of post I like to make, but please read and be careful when out shopping.  This story was on the Atlanta Fox News today, you may read it at their site, or below.
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/

This is a copy of the story found there;

Police: Syringes Hidden in Clothing at a Wal-Mart Store

Updated: Wednesday, 30 Nov 2011, 6:03 PM EST
Published : Wednesday, 30 Nov 2011, 12:00 PM EST

• By MYFOXATLANTA STAFF/myfoxatlanta

BARTOW COUNTY, Ga. - Authorities in Bartow County are investigating a series of incidents where syringes have been found in clothing at a Wal-Mart store.

Authorities with the Bartow County Sheriff's Office say the syringes were hidden in several items oof children's or women's clothing, including bras, at a Wal-Mart store in Cartersville on Market Blvd.

Authorities say four incidents have occurred since October 13. They say two of the incidents resulted in some kind of medical treatment.

Patricia Headrick said she was at the Wal-Mart on Black Friday when she went to pick up a Playtex bra.

"I put my hand down into the box and that's when it pricked me," Headrick said.

Once the initial shock wore off, Headrick said she became concerned with where the needle came from.

"Whose arm was this in? Whose body? Was this a used needle?" Headrick said.

Sgt. Jonathan Rogers of the Bartow County Sheriff's Office said other incidents included a needle found in a Hello Kitty socks and a 14-year-old girl was pricked by a needle in pajamas. The 14-year-old's mother was also pricked while checking the pajamas.

Authorities would only say that they were diabetic syringes that can be purchased at most pharmacies. Rogers said the needles would be tested in a crime lab.

Headrick said the next six months will be a waiting game for her and her family as she awaits tests. She said she's already $1,300 for medicines to help prevent a number of diseases.

"I'm scared to death. I don't know what's going to happen," Headrick said.

Authorities are going over surveillance video, looking for suspicious acitivites. It is unclear when the tests will come back on the syringes.

I will not -

1. I will not stuff crochet & knitting supplies in every corner of my house, including yarns, threads, hooks, patterns, books, totes, and needles.

2. I will not keep 14 projects going at one time.

3. I will not have more than 4 UFOs.

3. I will not buy more yarn, thread, hooks patterns, books, totes or needles when I have a ton at home.

4. I will not let my crocheting & knitting space look like a condemned area.

5. I will not relegate the kitchen table to needlework.

6. I will not stock up on more crocheting supplies just because they are on sale.

7. I will not let my crochet or knitting distract me from making dinner, cleaning house, laundry, playing with kids, playing with husband, etc.

8. I will not stay up all night crocheting & or knitting.

9. I will not buy every crochet or knitting magazine I see.

10. I should not make promises I cannot keep.

-An adaptation from the The Thread Web newsletter from the Vancouver Guild Of Embroiders

Just a line to say I'm living,

Just a line to say I'm living,
That I'm not among the dead.
Though I'm getting more forgetful,
... And mixed up in my head.

I've got used to my arthritis,
To my dentures I'm resigned.
I can manage my bifocals,
But, oh my!! I miss my mind.

For sometimes I can't remember
When I stand at the foot of the stairs,
If I must go up for something
Or, I've just come down from there.

And before the refrigerator so often,
My poor mind is filled with doubt.
Have I just put food away, or
Have I come to take some out?

And there's times when it is dark,
With my nightcap on my head.
I don't know if I'm retiring,
Or just got out of bed.

So if it's my turn to write you,
There's no need of getting sore.
I may think that I have written
And don't want to be a bore.

So remember I do love you,
And wish that you were near.
Now it's nearly mail time,
I must say good-bye, My dear.

Here I stand at the mailbox,
With face so very red,
Instead of mailing you my letter,
I have opened it instead!!--Author Unknown

This girl will go far in life!

A while back I got an Etsy PM from a teenage girl, asking if I would give her one of my crocheted dogs for her little brother, for free. In return she said that she would make a video showing the dog and telling who made it.

I could not resist her attitude and enterprise.  So of course I send one to her.

Well, the video is up, it’s HERE if you want to watch it.

She’s a really cute girl and with her brains & go-get-em attitude, I think she’ll go far in life. So go see what all Jessica has on her You Tube account. She may have reviewed something you would like too~

The blue dog in this photo is the one I sent to her.

Hats

Do you wear hats?  I'm not a big hat person, but recently found one that I really do like . . .

What do you think?  It's different, right?  And rather cheerfully colored, right?  Who doesn't want to have a dead fish on their head?  And if I want to hide, I can just pull the hat down over my face~

There are patterns on the net for both knit and crochet Dead Fish hats~

I plan to take a few to the gig at Agrirama next month, in case one or two might sell~:o)

I had forgotten about this incident

I had forgotten this incident until someone in Ravelry commennted on it today.  This happened on January 7, 2010 - - -


While waiting to see the doctor y'day, an older lady in a wheelchair came in. She sat in the same waiting room and was enthralled with our crocheting.  My daughter was there with me, and was also crocheting.

     After watching from across the room, and commenting on our work for a while, she wheeled over to us so we could chat better, and so she could touch our yarn. She loved the Lion Suede and the cowl-hood.

     Not long before I was called back, I had gotten too warm so removed my neckwarmer, and began folding it to put in my GoBag with the matching hat. She thought it was beautiful so I let her feel its yarn. It is in Amore, so is also very soft and touchable.

     As I completed folding it, she asked if I ever made sets like that to sell. I finished folding it & the hat as I told her that I don't (a small fib) but that I do give things away, and handed it to her. She was stunned by the gift and wanted to pay me for it. Well, in my world, you don't pay for things that are freely given to you, so I told her that with smiles and a gentle touch.

     Before we left the office, she asked for my number & address. And this morning she called me to tell me again how much she appreciated it, and said that after she got home, she held the set and cried over the kindness of a stranger.

We are always repaid for kindness.  The more kindness we give freely away, the more kindness comes out way.  Give a little kindness, RAK a stranger today~

 

RAK = Random Acts of Kindness

 

Cute Cotton Kitty's Sundress

Cute Cotton Kitty's Sundress Pattern (If you find errors, please send me a note so I can correct it.)

July 2011
Pattern for Cute Cotton Kitty is found at http://www.etsy.com/shop/theitsybitsyspider

Use the same size yarn & hook that you used to make Cute Kitty, or make adjustments as needed to assure the dress fits.

1.  Chain 35, sc in 5^th ch from hook and in each ch to end. Ch 1, turn. (30 sc)

2.  Sl st in 11 sts, hdc in 8 sts, sl st in last 11 sts. 6 sc in loop formed by skipped chain stitches, sl st in each st across to end. End off yarn and weave ends in.

3.  Add button to end without the loop. The loop is your buttonhole.

Bib of dress;

1. Join yarn with sl st in first hdc, ch 2, 1 hdc in same stitch, hdc in each hdc across, 2 hdc in last hdc. Ch 2, turn. (10)


2. 1 hdc in same stitch, hdc in each hdc across, 2 hdc in last hdc. Ch 2, turn. (12)


3. 1 hdc in same stitch, hdc in each hdc across, 2 hdc in last hdc. (14)

Skirt of dress;

1. Chain 18, join with sl st to hdc on other side of bib, be careful not to twist chain. Ch 2, do not turn.


2. hdc in next stitch, ch 1, repeat around. Join with sl st. ch 4.


3. 2 tr in each ch-1 space around. (64 tr). Join with sl st, ch 4.


4. 1 tr in next st, ch 1, repeat around. (64 tr). Join with sl st, ch 3.


5. sc in top of next tr, ch 3, repeat around. Join with sl st.


6. End off yarn and weave ends in.

Weave a length of 1/4” ribbon through hdc's that form the waistband of the dress.

Slip kitty into the dress, feet/tail first. Button at neck and tie ribbon in a bow in back or front.

Itsy Bitsy Spider has done it again!

This is the first (of many to come) of a Playful Cotton Puppy from the Itsy Bitsy Spider This pattern is just as easy to read & make as her Cute Cotton Kitty which I also love.

Here is my first Playful Pup.  Done in lavender & purple at the request of my daughter~

 Just hanging around.

 Sniffing the Rosemary~

 Pick me up, please?  I need a hug!

Cute Kitties

What have I been doing?  This photo says it all~ ~ ~

12 Kitties and 1 Bunny

all from the pattern Cute Cotton Kitty by Itsy Bitsy Spider at Etsy 

Kommando Kitty - - For Sale

Here is Kommando Kitty, a rough, tough, guy who can be very gentle with the little ones.  He is ready and willing to move in with someone and take good care of them.  He fights off boogymen and scares away those monsters under the bed. 

Kommando Kitty is available in my Etsy Shop to come home with you.



For Sale - Amigurumi Kitty Dolls

For Sale - Amigurumi Kitty dolls.

Each doll is approximately 13 to 14 inches tall. The girls come with one dress that is removable, the boys will be wearing a pair of pants & a shirt that are worked on rather than removable.
* For more dresses or any change in clothing, PM me at Stitch_n_Frog@mchsi.com

Each doll is slightly different.  They are hand-made by me, and each has it's own personality.

I have some dolls pre-made for quick shipping, and will happily take orders for dolls in the colors of your choice.

The dolls are made in synthetic yarns for durability. 
* If you prefer a specific type of yarn, I can use that yarn but must re-price to allow for purchase of the yarn.  PM me for pricing.
* If you have your own yarn that you want made into a kitty, PM me for the price change.

The price for one kitty is $24.00 plus actual shipping cost. I will accept Pay Pal or money orders, but prefer Pay Pal.

Here are photos of a few dolls that are pre-made.

The doll on the left has already been purchased, she is there only for display purposes.



Patriotic  American Kitty



As you can see, this doll is a bunny rather than a kitty.

And she is a bit of a tomboy bunny~

 

More photos may be seen at my Flickr photostream

If you are interested in purchasing a Kitty, Bunny, or as a different animal, or want to get pricing for special yarn or changes in apperance, please convo me at Stitch_n_Frog@mchsi.com
 

What's cuter than a Cute Cotton Kitty?

Three Cute Cotton Kitties, of course!

Now I'm working on a ferret.  Quite a move from cute kitties to a ferret . . . but six kitties in a row are enough for now, it's past time to move on for a little while, then I'll get back to the kitties.  I think I need some white kitties, and maybe some gray kitties, some black kitties, and maybe some other color kitties too . . . . .

For Sale

These dolls are approximately 13" tall and are for sale at $22. + $5.00 shipping in the USA. If you are interested, please send an email at the email address below, to see if the one you like is still available.  I also will take orders for special colors.

Email at Stitch_n_Frog@mchsi.com

Cute Kitty #4

Here is Cute Cotton Kitty #4 . . . Except she's a Bunny!

All you have to do is change the ears, And add a tail~

Then viola' you have a very Cute Bunny!

Itsy Bitsy Spider's Cute Cotton Kitty pattern

Have you guessed by now that I really do LOVE this pattern?  ~LOL~

Cute Kitty #3

Here is Cute Kitty #3 in her new dress and her black slippers - - -

And in her Hollywood Pose

 

Thank you again to Itsy Bitsy Spider for such a great pattern!

Meet Cute Cotton Kitty #2

This is Cute Cotton Kitty #2.  I finished him this evening.  Sure do love this pattern!  Thank you to Itsy Bitsy Spider for the wonderful pattern!  You can find it in the Ravelry pattern database and in her Etsy store!

Cute Kitty

This is Cute Kitty.  He is from the pattern, Cute Cotton Kitty that can be found in Ravelry's pattern database and in the  Itsy Bitsy Spider's Etsy Shop .  Needless to say, I am in love with the pattern and am already on my second Cute Kitty in another color combo.

Here he is, just hanging around waiting for the birds to come back to eat from the bird feeder he's standing on.

And here he is, soaking up some rays on the front deck.  Isn't he a darling?

Alley Cats

Just got photos of the first FO from the pattern Alley Cats from Stripey Blue at Etsy -
Stripey Blue at Etsy

Here is the trash can that's in the Alley -

 And here is a cat, peeking out of the trash can -

 Lastly, here is the kitten, hoping for a fishie to eat -

Cute and very easy to make.  Check out her shop, she has some great patterns!

What am I working on now?

Have you read any of the Pern books by Anne McCaffrey?  The series of books are about human-kind who have settled on a planet that they named Pern.  Dragons live there, flying, fire-breathing dragons!  They are empathetic with humans and bond, one dragon to one human for life.   There are also fire lizards there, a much, much smaller version of the dragons. 

What on earth does this have to do with what I am crocheting?  Or are you already there?

Using a pattern from Lucy Ravenscar's Etsy store and a beautiful metallic gold yarn, I am crocheting her Dragonet pattern to crochet a gold Queen Fire Lizard.  Clara, of the Etsy store 6060 hand-painted special eyes for the Fire Lizards.  And they are beautiful, perfect for them! 

When the first (I am making two) of the dragons is finished I will post photos of her.  But until then, here is Lucy Ravenscar's photo from her Etsy store - - -

I had to put off starting work on them last month, due to an emergency appendectomy.  My appendix was not far from bursting, and had "oozed" a bit.  I was very lucky to have gotten in when I did, and to have great doctors and nurses.  They "mopped up" well before closing, then pumped me full of 3 types of antibiotics for four days.  So now, except for a sore hand where the last IV was, and still getting tired a bit too quickly, I'm "all better now" as our kids used to say.

So now, after making hamsters by the dozens, I've now moved onward and upward to crocheting beautiful golden Dragons~ ~ ~

Amigurumi galore

My new hamster family;

Ballerina Bear

Green Fire Lizard from the planet Pern (Anne McCaffrey's Science Fiction Novels)

 See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil monkeys

 Sunny Face Friends

Fat Cat Likes Striped Sweaters

They, and many  more Ami's and other projects, will be going with me to the Agrirama's Independence Day Celebration.  I'll be exhibiting inside the museum that day.  I am super excited and even more nervous!   Also am very curious about how it will go.  One thing for sure, it will be a very long day for me.
    We have to start setting up at 7a.m., and the doors open at 9 till 4 or 4:30.  I'll be a very tired, but hopefully a very happy, puppy by then.  As long as a few people show up that I know, to stop by for a chat, I'll enjoy the day tremendously!