Monday, February 28, 2005

More blogging

because sometimes I have a hard time shutting up. Really. I know you probably don't believe it, but it's true.

I am CRABBY. CRABBY I tell you. It may have been the end sewing that was the last straw. I am so very tired of picking up after the kids, and of hollering/cajoling/bribing/pleading at/with them to help. It gets very, very old. I know that I signed up for this when I started having these children and then I completely cemented the deal by having four of them, but sometimes I am just way over it. Don't get me wrong, I am the mess/clutter QUEEN, it's part of the OCD-really and truly, that part isn't a joke, even if I love to laugh at it, but sometimes there is a big difference between your own clutter and other people's. Especially little people's. Little people like to just run wild through the house, like mini tornados, throwing things all over the place. It's crazy. They love to get into things, tear things to pieces (usually small, tiny bits of paper), and scatter various foods wherever they see fit. Hmmm, a bowl of cereal? Well, this MUST be thrown into the air so that it can fall all over the living room carpet that is threadbare from the repeated vacuumings. Why look at this bookshelf! These books shouldn't be stacked here, what's wrong with these parents? Don't they know books should be spread all over? What's this? A toy with lots of pieces? I MUST take the toy apart and then spread the pieces to various rooms so that later I can tear apart the toyboxes in search of said pieces. Oh and look at this! Why, it's a skein of yarn! I know I am absolutely not ever, ever supposed to play with mom's yarn, but this is just begging to be unwound and pulled around the house.

I won't go into their thoughts on crayons, pencils, pens, markers, and GASP, scissors. And don't thing any of those things are accessible. I could put them in a safe, then duct tape the entire safe, just wrapping and wrapping the tape around it and these small, devious people will STILL be able to get in.

I suppose I should be happy that they are smart and creative, and I guess I could try the earth mother approach that they are just exploring their world and encourage their freedom. I could do this. If I had a maid.

Sewing in the ends

on a stripey, good-sized project is of the debil I say! Sigh.

I spent much of the weekend, when I had time, working on rectangle #2 of Tawnya's poncho. Making progress. Of course, because it's me, this one is looking slightly bigger than the first. Ah well. I did realize that if it seems small, adding rows would be pretty easy, so that's a relief.

My eye is healing well, thank goodness. The pain is pretty much gone, just a little scratchiness, and my vision isn't up to par yet. But, it's MUCH better. Whew.

I will leave you with this, and if you are a crafty hore at SM it will look familiar. ;)

You know you are a hooker when your pencil cup is full of crochet hooks.

Saturday, February 26, 2005

I've put down the sock

and picked up the poncho. I have got to get the ponchos for my sisters finished and the bag for my mom done. I HAVE TO. As much as I really, really, really, really want to make a pair of socks. Really.

I need to weave in the ends of yarn on the bag, sew it together, and then felt it. I keep toying with the idea of not weaving in the ends, but I just think it will look better overall if I do. I really dislike weaving in ends though and this bag has a LOT of ends. Felting will have to wait at least a day, since I need to get some laundry done, but that won't be a problem since it will take me that much to weave and sew.

I finished one of the rectangles for T's poncho and am working on the second. Then it's sewing it together. After I'll need to do both of J's rectangles, as I only have 1 started. The biggest challenge with this is making them the right size. I tried to guage it when they were here last, but it's tough, and now that they are in California it's a little hard for them to try them on in progress. And the three of us are all completely different sizes, so that's no help either. We'll see, I guess.

After these, I need to finish the blanket for my NEPHEW! *huge grin* and make some socks, yeehaw! I know V is also waiting to see what I come up with in the way of a bag for her, hehe.

On the eye front, things are progressing well. I am now without the contact and NOT in excruciating pain, hooray! Still scratchy and a little pain, but nothing like it was. Mr. Eye Doctor has said it is healing really well, the only problem is that my vision in that eye still isn't that great. Well, it wasn't to begin with, but he means with my glasses on it isn't that great. I go back Tuesday for another check-up. And, I still have not stolen any numbing drops, I can safely say pain did not turn me into a junkie theif!

Friday, February 25, 2005


What's this? A sock! Yes, yes it is. Crazy fool that I am I have started my very first sock, even though I am mainly seeing through one eye. Posted by Hello

Thursday, February 24, 2005


I've made progress on the stripe bag for my mom. The colors are still coming off really dark in my pics and I don't feel like messing around with it to make it look better. I may frog out the latest stripes, the blue one is just too big. Thankfully, I'm now able to crochet, I've found the looking down is much more comfortable for me, but I don't have enough focus to read. Posted by Hello

Aren't I pretty? I took this yesterday, and if you can beleive it I look worse today, the eye is a lot more swollen. Picture it, fading blue hair, and a big ole puffy, swollen eye, oh yeah baby. Posted by Hello

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

WOW, I have comments!

And they aren't from people I already know lol. Thanks everyone!

As you might have read in the comments on the last post I have a scratched cornea, courtesy of the same two year old who broke my nose a few months back. This kid is tough I tell you. I made it through my other 3 children's toddlerhoods with nary a major incident, but #4 shows no mercy. While wrangling him into his snowboots Big C flung up an arm and hit my eye. OWWWWWWWWW! I knew it was bad. Scratched cornea, big time. I've had four kids, a broken leg, and a broken nose but this one appears to be THE most painful. I have a contact on it, like a bandaid, which is helping a lot, but I'd like to go break into the eye doctor's right now and steal some of those nifty numbing drops. I had a hair or something in the contact, and ended up having to take it out, which then led to putting it back in. Let's just say it wasn't fun. At all.

Now the 4 year old is still up, Mr. Blue has conked out, and I'm still hurting too much to sleep. I really wish I had a bigass painkiller/sleep med. Sigh.

It was feeling a little better today, prior to my 2nd eye appt and I did get some crocheting done on my sis's poncho. It's very frustrating to not be able to read or crochet.

Now, I am off to hope the 4 yr old crashes and I pass out from sheer agony.

Monday, February 21, 2005

So many projects, so little time

I'm still working on the bag for my mom, and the ponchos for my sisters. Primarily the bag, and I cannot wait until I get it finished. Partly because felting is just way too much fun, and partly because I've totally made up the pattern for this bag and really hope it will work.

Been having more pain, I'm guessing this is what's called a "flare" in my line of illness. Yippee! I definitely did not get as much crocheting done as I'd wanted to. Housework be damned, as usual.

It snowed again today, I wasn't expecting it and it was really light, but covered the ground fast. The kids were pretty excited about it, and I was glad the girls wore their snowboots to school. If they don't, they don't get to run around in the snow at recess, and really, what fun is it to stand in the snow?

We watched 24 tonight, I am TOTALLY sucked into this show, it is way too intense. It also goes way too fast and I hate it when it ends. Mr. Blue's habit of shouting, THIS IS IT, IT'S OVER! right at the very end of it is really driving me up the wall. I was barely past the floor molding when he first started doing it, now I am definitely touching the ceiling.

I was really missing my cat today, and it's been like 5 years since he passed away. I really miss having a cat, and was having some serious want to run out and get a cat RIGHT NOW feelings. Then, I reminded myself that I have four children who I have a hard enough time keeping out of trouble and cleaning up after, and adding a litter box, cat hair, and cat claws to the mix wouldn't be the greatest idea. Sigh.

Sunday, February 20, 2005

Aren't my bears just too much?

Okay, so maybe they are, but I love them anyway. The bear on the left was given to me by a bunch of great friends at Sybermoms, when I started having all of my whacked out health stuff. They sent me a box of fun stuff that totally made my day. So, that little guy has been sitting up on my desk for about a year now.

Then, my friend Jen made me the cute little bear who sits next to my other bear-it just now occurs to me I haven't named either of them, and I have names for EVERYTHING. Jen knitted the little guy and I am just in love. She helped us out in the Sybermoms auction for the Tsunami victims by participating in the bracelet smackdown and offered to knit things for those who purchased braclets from her. She rocks, as do the other smackdown participants. :) Jen, who is known as Pierced in our little corner of the internet is an amazing knitter, and has recently taken up crochet. I swear this girl was born for needlework. You can check out her work here: http://www.livejournal.com/users/stitching_bitch/

Aren't they cute? Posted by Hello

The colors are very dark, but here is a shot of half. The strip off to the left is one of the sides, the bottom is the dark piece under the stripe piece, which is either the front or the back. I'm going to sew the pieces together at the end, hoping to get a more square shape this way. Posted by Hello

My hands are sore

but I'm pretty sure it's worth it. I am working on a bag for my mom, out of the Peruvian Highland Wool I had gotten from Elann. It is working up really well, and I am hoping I have enough yarn leftover to make one for myself. Except it might be a little weird to have a purse that matches my mom's. Althooough, the last time I bought one it ended up being the same one my mother in law had just bought. I guess this would make things even, right?

I am going to felt this bag, and I can't wait! I made up the pattern, which usually ends up being much easier than me trying to actually read a pattern. But, then I want to write it down, in case I do make one for myself. I'll have to remember to do it before I felt it, so I can count the stitches and rows.

And the biggest news right now, I am going to have a NEPHEW! WOOHOOO! One of my sisters is pregnant, this will be my first time as an aunt to one of my siblings' kids, I am waaaaay excited. I did really want to make those cute little mary janes, but I'll just have to find another little girl baby somewhere. I am really happy for her and her husband and way too excited. :D

Currently I have this bag, the ponchos for my sisters, and the baby blanket waiting to be finished. The bag will be first. I hope, at least.

This is a close-up of the striped bag I am making for my mom. I had to brighten it a bit, so the colors are actually a little darker in person, but this is to give you the idea. Posted by Hello

Thursday, February 17, 2005


Four hats in two days, woohoo! Here are the hats I made with the Lion Brand Chunky USA I had gotten on sale. Drew is wearing his hat, in navy and red, Spiderman colors, and Colin's is yellow and black, Hawkeyes, of course! The hats they are holding are for my brother in law, actually navy and gold for Michigan, and then red and black for my nephew.Posted by Hello

Tuesday, February 15, 2005


A close-up of one my sisters' ponchos, this one is with TLC Amore. Posted by Hello

Yesterday was gorgeous!

In the 50's, it was so nice to have a bit of warm weather, today is cold again and grey, but I don't mind grey days so much.

Abbie & Arenne love their new hats, I am thinking I will make them some scarves to match, they've been wanting scarves for awhile now. I should have enough of the yarn left to make two little girl scarves. I've been working on the ponchos for my sisters, made a ton of progress on one of the strips, TLC Amore is a pretty yummy yarn. Nice and soft, and is working up beautifully as a poncho. I will post some pics later.

Also working on hats for my brother-in-law and nephew. Bil wants Michigan colors, and nephew wants red and black. I popped in to Hancock Fabrics to check out their yarn and see if they'd gotten any other wood hooks in, no luck there, but they did have Lion Brand Chunky USA on sale for NINETY-NINE cents. WOOOHOO. I haven't used it yet, but it's perfect for the hats. I love getting deals. I worked on bil's hat while we over there last night, it's coming along pretty well. It seems big to me, but I don't think it is. We'll see, and hopefully not because I won't want to redo it.

Also ordered from Elann again, I am so excited. I got some Alpaca, some more sock yarn, and another hook. It's like Christmas everytime I get a package from them. Can't wait!

Now I am off to shower, and pretend to be awake. D had me up off and on all night, the boys are gone with Mr. Blue now and I need to get to a March of Dimes meeting and HOPE I can retain everything. I will have to write notes to myself just in case..

Saturday, February 12, 2005


Here are my sweet girls in their brand new flower cloche hats, and they didn't have to wait forever for them! Abbie's flower has the larger purple and Arenne's is the pink underneath. Posted by Hello

Abbie in her hat, she is hilarious with pictures. Posted by Hello

Here is Arenne in her hat. :) Posted by Hello

Friday, February 11, 2005

Hats for my girls!

I am making new hats for Abbie and Arenne, and they are turning out so cute! Bright pink and purple Caron Simply Soft Brites, they are in love with the colors. I decided to do a cloche/slightly bucket hat, with flowers added on. Thinking I will do one with pink flowers with purple trim and the other with purple flowers and pink trim so they'll know which one is theirs. Can't wait to get them finished and take pics. I am really liking the Simply Soft, it's not expensive and is really soft.

Today was warmer, I think in the 40's, but of course it felt like spring. It's funny that if hits 50/low 60's in the summer we get all bundled up, but when it hits those temps in the winter we are just about leaving the house in shorts. I love the snow, but I am definitely ready to be done wearing coats and hats and gloves.

Wednesday, February 09, 2005

Pretty cool

My cousin's girls, who are 14 and 12, have been asking me if I could teach them to crochet, so last night we sat down to it. I have not taught anyone to crochet yet, and I was hoping that I wouldn't make them even more confused about it, but it appears to have gone okay. I gave them each a size K hook and a ball of cotton yarn and set them to making dishcloths. They are now well into their rows of single crochet. This morning when I picked them up for school, they very proudly showed me their progress. :) They really picked it up quickly, and are very excited to be able to learn more, yay!

Definitely check out my auction post and come check it out, there are a TON of cool things to bid on and the money goes to a good cause.

Tuesday, February 08, 2005

It's Auction Time!

*DRUMROLL*

Announcing an enormous charity event to benefit the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami.

Where: Sybermoms.com

When:
24-Hour Auction begins Wednesday February 9th, 2005 at 8PM EST, ends 8PM Feb 10th.

LIVE AUCTION begins Thursday February 10, 2005 at 9PM EST and goes until we run out of stuff to auction off, or we all pass out.

Who: YOU, ME, US, THEM – anyone that wants to raise a ton of cash to benefit people that have lost everything, and have a ton of fun while doing it. Members from all boards involved at the time of voting chose AFSC (American Friends Service Committee) as the charity to benefit from the proceeds. Sybermoms, Inc. is fronting any paypal fees that incur through collections of donations.

Why: Because we’re all human beings with hearts. We’re all kick a$$ women and men who can put aside our differences to help those less fortunate and have fun while doing it!

Sunday, February 06, 2005

My guage is back

thank goodness! Whew.

I know other yarn whores will understand this next story. We've recently joined a health club. Lord knows both Mr. Blue and I need it. We were both pretty fit when we met and used to go running together all the time. Those days are looong gone, but hopefully we can get our exercise on. Soooo, on my second visit I decided to take it easy and do some riding on the reclining bikes. These are a marvelous invention, as you get a good workout, but can actually sit, and have a chairback to lean on. I had seen people reading while riding them, so of course my mind immediately went to crocheting! Can you imagine? That is some fine multi-tasking. I brought along my felty bag with wallet, keys, and a small project. Yes, girls, it can be done. You can crochet on a reclining bike. Mr. Blue did not really want to sit by me though.

Today we are off for some superbowl watching. I was really hoping to see the Eagles and the Steelers play in the superbowl, after it was apparent my Vikings would not be there. But, Patriots/Eagles it was. My aunt is a huge Eagles fan, so I'll be rooting for them. Yes, it's true, the girls in our family actually enjoy football. I get most of it.

I am also looking for a crochet pattern for golf headcovers. My bil would like some, as would Mr. Blue and I, and well, sheesh, probably a lot of my family members. So far I have only found one pattern online. If any of you know of one, please let me know!

Friday, February 04, 2005

Wellllll

it's been awhile! I was having a rough time health-wise and my muscles in my hands weren't cooperating, so I wasn't able to crochet for about 4 days. :(

Today I was finally back it, it took me a bit to get my hands to warm up, but I actually made some progress on the last scarf for the scarf and hat set. I had started the hat, but had to frog it a few times because of a few larger stitches I kept throwing in. I think this set will be very pretty, it's in a gorgeous blue. Especially with the fun fur on it!

Next up are my sisters ponchos, and who knows after that. I thought of doing a fun fur project, or going to a felted bag with wool, or even SOCKS. We'll see I guess.