My Grandma's Crocheted Potholder

Yesterday while digging around a box looking for something I ran across this little potholder my Grandma had given me.  It was kind of forgotten, but not completely.  I am so happy I ran across it.   Now I cannot stop looking at it or thinking about her.

And if any day I needed a red rosé, that was the day.  It seems life has been too hectic these days, and my way of dealing with it has been to stick my head in the sand in hopes everything will fix itself.   That just doesn't happen.  So this morning I pledged to myself that I would handle what comes my way, and not beat myself up over the things that are not in my control!  And I thanked my Grandma a second time for this little crocheted potholder.

Blankies for Boston

After seeing all the Blankies for Boston on Facebook, my mom decided she wanted to make a couple blankies.  But she doesn't crochet much, but what she does do is quilt!!  And look at what she did! 

I think they both have a patriotic "homespun" feel about them.  And who doesn't like the comfort of a quilt on their lap!   Personally when I am not feeling well, the first thing I go to when I lay down is my quilt. 
 

Here is mine.  I call it "B Strong".   I crocheted the letters and the sewed them in the middle.  I think it turned out pretty.  Five point stars just do not come together like granny squares or octagons.  That fifth side won't let the lay flat, which disappointed me, because I definitely wanted to use a star motif in the blanket.  So this is how I worked around it.  Funny how a miscalculation can turn out.  Who would have known!

I am anxious to get these bundled up and on their way to the folks that need them.  If these blankets give one bit of comfort that it gave me to make one then I will be totally thrilled.  I am sure it is a mixed bag of emotions to receive one of these blankets.  I wanted a message on the blanket I made.  When I saw the "B Strong" logo/motto over the internet I knew I wanted to use it.  It is such a powerful message.

Phoebie was in the mood to let me take a couple pictures of her this afternoon.  What a cutie!  She is always there to put a smile on my face.  She did have a much hated bath and blow dry yesterday afternoon.  Also much needed!  She was totally doggy stinky!  But now she spells like shampoo and is so soft.  And after a couple hours, I was her favorite person again.

That look....who can resist it?

So now I have started my second blanket.  Obviously, granny squares.  I will follow this with some red and white stripes, then I am not sure what next.  I am already liking the red centers.   But as most know who follow my blog, I luvs me some red!!

And this is my favorite hook!!  The have all sizes at Hobby Lobby.  After my first try I haven't gone back, and now I have a nice little collection of sizes in my posession. 

This evening my plans are to work on this more and relax!  I tried just sticking to red-white-blue...but the need to add more blues into the blanket is unbelievable and I find it much more satisfying when crocheting. 

Phoebe looks absolutely relaxed here, enjoying her Sunday.  We on the other hand have to much on our plate right now, and now the air conditioning has decided to act up on a Sunday evening.  Great!  There is never a dull moment.  The week started out with my absent-mindedly throwing my iPhone into the washer.  I suppose you can guess the rest of the story.  Yup, it was fried.  I tried the rice thing, didn't help one bit!  So now I have a replacement and this time I got the insurance to go with it!  LOL!

I am off now to work on my second blanket and mentally prepare my self for another Monday!

Busy-ness

 

Sun-shine-y happy grannies!  Much needed sun, too might I add.  I don't believe I can remember a May 5th that has been this cold and this dark and dreary.  It is totally amazing!  Today I had on my boots a sweater, my raincoat and a scarf...things are definitely out of wack.  Now we are to have "a healthy rain event" as the weatherman keeps saying, in other words, it is going to pour for the next couple of days.

Even though I have had a hard time keeping my projects updated, I have stayed busy.  I dug out all that embroidery floss I have packed up and commenced to hooking.  No plan, just bright happy color.

It does remind you of sunshine, doesn't it.  

 

I have also gotten a bit hooked on making these little skulls.  It takes all of 20 minutes to crochet one up.  They are a free pattern I found through ravelry.  Day of the Dead Skulls.   I added some bling to some of these and I like to add a little single crochet edging around the finished skull.  You can bet come time for some fall/halloween crochet time, more of these will be coming!

The little flower just makes it!! 

I have started one of my "Blankies for Boston" contributions.  I hope to get two blankets crocheted.  If you haven't heard of this there is a facebook group that has organized this.  The blankets are going to the victims of the Boston Marathon Bombing.  They have to be red,white, and blue and there are some size requirements, too.  One of my girlfriends is doing it, and when she was telling me about it I knew I wanted to participate, too.

I  will be putting something in the middle, just not sure what yet.  I knew I wanted to have stars in the blanket.  It was a little challenging on figuring out how I was going to join them.   

This has been so rewarding...especially when you get down in the dumps.  It just puts things into perspective.  I hope to get it done this week and get started on my second blanket.  

Oh...my other love, Spray Paint...I must say, I luvs me some spray paint.  I just finished up a jewelry box that I "restyled".  I just love doing this.  And when I found the box I knew it would be awesome.  

And I always learn something each time I attack one of these.  It was just a basic wood stained box when I started.  After painting it red I modge podged some scrap book paper to the clear plastic it had on the doors.  I finished it off by dry brushing some gold and black to it to make it look kinda aged.

Check out the inside!!!!  This is going to look awesome in by bedroom.  I am now on the hunt for another box to redo.  This one was $12.00 when I bought it at the thrift store....total bargain!

Well...it's time for me to sign off.  I have more housework to finish up and Monday morning to get ready for.  Uggg....rainy Monday morning...I am already dreading it!

Here's a picture of me in my sweater and boots today.  I love these boots...another Goodwill find!  $6!!  Aren't they awesome!

Crochet Chicken Penny Rug!

Chicken Love!!!  Who doesn't love a penny rug??? 

How about some Chicken Love???  I have been busy working on this little penny rug.  I love working on these.  Especially when I have no plan....just a little inspiration.

Notice the little chick!!  And the nest!!   Actually the whole thing started by crocheting a rooster, then I got the idea of adding a little chick....or as we call them here in the south a "bitty".  Hens & Bitties!

The rest is history!! 

Placed in the seat of this old chair it looks totally awesome!  Way to pretty to sit on.  I love crochet like this because it is more like folk art.  

I have slowed way down on my crochet.  Had problems with my hands and shoulder, then a wonderful week of the flu.  Good Lord!!  I am finally getting back to my creative side....it has been missing for a while now!

So now I have an idea for a hootie penny rug, and in the mood to start at it.  So I think a movie will be on this evening and I will be doing some crochet!

Yay!!!

Busy Hands!!!

I'm here.  It has been so hard lately to just find the time to sit down and update my blog.  Where is the time going?  But, I have been busy crocheting, knitting, and spray painting in between working and doing the normal daily rigmarole.

Of course, I can always find some moments to make some little hooties!

They are for an etsy order, but I am enjoying them before they head off to their new home. 

So...I have finished up some more hats, some fingerless mitts, a pair of socks, and a scarf.  I can share some hats and mitts with you, and will have to get another pretty day to get pictures of my finished socks and scarf.

I came across this pattern for fingerless gloves called "Toast".  I love it!!!  It is a quick, easy, fun pattern.  I am going to remember it come Christmas project time!

Aren't they awesome!  This is with some Lion Brand Amazing.

My sister-in-law is modelling them for me.  I am pretty sure she needs a pair for herself.  LOL!

These are with the same pattern.  I just didn't finish the thumb and I did a ribbing on each end.

 

I have been in a crocheting hat mode for a little while now.  I think it is because of the instant gratification you can get from them.  And, you really don't need a pattern.  I love these little ear-flap hats!

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 Oh, here is another pattern I came across.  It is called "Divine" .  Don't be fooled...it may look difficult, but I am here to tell you it is not!  With a pretty yarn it is really quite impressive!

Here is another chemo-cap done up in half-double crochet.  Our knitting group made some caps up for a lady one of the women knew who was going through some strong chemo.  

How about some thrift-store love???  

I am a freakin sucker for a piece of junk and a can of spray paint...especially red spray paint.  I wish I had taken a before picture.  I found this little cabinet at the Salvation Army for $1.50!!  Took it apart, sprayed it down.  The hardest part was getting it back together!!  The frosting on the cake is when I added the paper to the back.  

It is going to make a great home for my owl collection!!

Now I am off to enjoy what is left of this Sunday.  The time change has got me a little off, and I am really going to dread it in the morning!  But for the moment, all is good.  Time for a new knitting project!

Bye!

Thrifted!

I came across these granny square blankets at the local thrift store I frequent every Friday, also known as "Thrift Store Friday".  There is nothing better than hitting your favorite thrift with one of your favorite buds!  It is now a weekly scheduled appointment that is on our work calendars!! 

So, back to my find, I found these red and white granny blankets from an aisle over...they caught my eye and I made a B-Line straight to them.  First of all...it always tugs at my heart a little bit when I see crocheted blankets and afghans hanging on the rack!  And then I most likely take it home to me, where I know it will me loved and appreciated!

My thinking is that I will repurpose them.  Heck, for $6 a piece what could I lose!   I like the punch of red and think it would look really pretty on my bed. 

You can see that granny square pillow case, which is actually a small granny blanket I rescued a couple weeks ago and made a couple repairs on.  I seamed it up into a pillow case and put it on the bed.  Love it!!

So, this is kinda what I am thinking.  I just folded it over the pillow to get a feel for it.  Of course, I am going to disassemble it and wash and block the squares.  They are well done, I just think the seaming throws them a bit out of wack. 

So, thought???  I am still moving them around the house, and also had the thought of making the two blankets into one.  For now I will get them cleaned and blocked and ready for whatever I end up doing with them.


Ruh Roh!!

Yesterday I took my mom and sister in law to the Goodwill.  We came out with some fun stuff.  I picked up this little gorilla for $1.  I had to have him.  He makes the perfect valentine buddy! 

My girlfriend invited us over Saturday evening for some take out and visiting.  She texted me earlier that afternoon and said, I wanna make cards, can you bring your owl stamps?  Well...that's a no brainer...of course!

So this is what I came up with.  A big heart valentine!  We had a blast cutting, glueing, and I really enjoyed the doodling!

How could this not make anyone smile!  My plan is she will get it back on V-day...along with a box of Girl Scout Cookies and a message on the back that valentine that will say, "You Rock"! 

Lastly, I wanted to share some little dollar store owls that I finally spray painted this week.  I still have two more waiting to be done. 

Aren't they cute!  The one on the right is one I found at Dollar Tree.  You can see what they look like originally.  I could only find one, but keeping my eye out for the others!

Their shapes are adorable! 

I found this little guy at the Dollar General.  I put a coat of spray paint on him, too.  He needs a little more to even him out, but I like em. 

I am back to my Sunday afternoon.  I am trying to get the house straight and cleaned up before another work week cranks up.  I will most likely have a finished pair of socks to share next week and who knows what else I will find on Thrift Store Friday!

Bye for now!

Dawn