My own personal challenge

I'm taking a short break from reorganizing and shuffling around my crafting supplies, especially my yarns. I can't believe how much yarn I have. I filled two more big, plastic storage bins, but could use a couple more to be rid of the cardboard boxes once and for all. My bedroom is quickly becoming my personal hobby lobby, but since I live alone, it doesn't much matter.

So here's my personal challenge: to make this Peacock Afghan with only yarn I already have on hand.

The colors will not be exactly the same, but I will do my best to make it look nice, but I have so much yarn that needs to be used. The most difficult part will be finding 42 oz of the same yarn for the background...it'll probably have to be white or off white.

If anyone's interested in making this, I found the free pattern here on Free Pattern.com.

If it turns out nice, I want to send it to my dad and his wife in Germany for Christmas this year.  That means having to get started right away as I have other projects, like finally crocheting this Creche that I didn't have time for last year:

If anyone wants to make this, you can buy the pattern at e-Patterns Central.com.

Well, I'd best get back to my chores and hope I can find that box of vaccum bags for my Bissell so I can finish up here and get on with my more important crochet projects. (I know, housework sucks!)

Don't forget to enter my July Giveaway!

A few degrees cooler in the shade

Yesterday, my friend hung up the last of the three shades that I asked him to pick up for me at Home Depot (since he drives to the city every day.)  Since the shade trees out front were cut down by Apartment Management, my electric bill has increased by over $30. It has not been fun living in the dark with dark sheets covering my windows and the doors closed all the time. Now, with these shades, we can at least look outside somewhat without compromising the electric bill too much ... (hopefully!)

I know it doesn't look that great, but at least it helps block out the afternoon sun that burns down relentlessly till past 7 pm. I ordered three, one for the living room window, the bedroom window and one for over the door. The front door gets soo hot that you could actually cook on it. I burned my forearm on it once before I realized it was metal and not wood (because it looks like wood.)

Also, I have some major rearranging/organizing of my "stuff" (yarn, etc) to do, because we're having another inspection, only this time not from the apartment manager, but from the USDA Rural Development. Even though they are generally interested in structrual conditions, they do pop in randomly so that we all have to be prepared for an official visit on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Thankfully, Gizzy is getting his yukkies out today and should be fit by then. As usual, it's my fault, for giving him some chicken from Hardees yesterday, even though I know how chicken affects him - if only the tiniest bit. Poor boy! He's been in the bathtub four times already this morning while the mop is on standby. All I can say: thank God for vinyl flooring!

(I'm a bad mama - when will I ever learn?)

I'm also finishing a potholder for my Potholder Swap that I have entered in my group called Pins and Needles. I won't be able to tell (or show) you till my partner receives it in the mail. I don't want to spoil the surprise for her in case she reads my blog.

So, now back to doing some reorganizing (hiding) and crocheting and hoping the Gizz will sleep it off.

Don't forget to enter my July Giveaway!

My July Giveaway

I am offering all my fellow blogging buddies, old and new, (including my overseas friends) one of my cotton bee scrubbies AND

a lovely kitchen towel with one of my blue crocheted towel toppers.

These towel toppers have a loop inside so that you can attach any dish towel you want.

The rules are the same as always: Post something here and indicate that you want to be included in the drawing. Drawing is open to anyone and everyone, so pass it on...also, my Followers get an additional entry and if you want to post this on your blog's sidebar and link back to me, then you'll earn an additional entry.

Please note that last day to enter is July 22th, 2010. I will announce the winner on the following day (July 23, 2010.) Good luck!

REMEMBER:  Indicate that you want to be included in this giveaway when you leave a comment!

Arlene's Treasure Chests

I introduced you previously to a couple of my talented friends and promised to show you what one of them makes.

(Arlene and Gizzy)

 

Arlene is a woodworker and makes these adorable treasure chests:

She has all kinds of woodworking tools to make these pretty vessels for friends and customers. She said they are not just glued together, but screwed as well, so they are nice and sturdy. The bands on top may look like leather, but are actually pieces of wood that have been cut, shaped and bent to fit. Lastly, she rubs the wood with some type of varnish or stain to bring out the natural beauty of the wood and to protect it.

She gets leftover wood from a local cabinet shop, usually Pine or Birch. The metal embellishments are store baught (i.e. chains, hooks, upholstery tacks and locks.) The inside lining is made from upholstery remnants that she gets from a local boat maker company. All materials are new and have never been used, but are from scraps that otherwise would be discarded.

They all come with a lock and a removable jewelry tray. Sizes vary from small: 9 1/2" X9 1/2"X 8 1/2" to medium: 12" and large: 14" wide. She even makes big, dowry chests/or linen chest, about 30" X 30" X 24"

I have listed one for her in my Etsy shop to see if there's any interest for them. She's been making these for years and everyone loves them. She's especially busy during Christmas, so order early! I think they are adorable, don't you?

Blogger Problems

Hello fellow blogging friends. I've been experiencing problems with my comments and lost at least eight yesterday...so, if for some reason things look odd to you, I'm aware of it and hope I'm not running out of memory.

I was told the other day that blogger starts to charge a monthly fee once the allotted memory has been used up. I've been having problems uploading videos, which is why I've not done it lately, so please bear with me.

Have a great day!

p.s. and now, guess what? They all showed up - go figure ;-)

I'm a lucky ducky

I received this box last week from Bev of One Yarn After Another, a fellow crocheter and dear blogging buddy, who has developed a wool allergy and I was the lucky recipient of this wonderful stash of wool yarn:

I jumped for joy when I unpacked this treasure of lovely wool, some of them still having the Knit Picks sleeve indicating "Wool of the Andies."  To be honest, I can't afford to buy that stuff...I'm more of an acrylic and cotton type of a gal!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Bev. Now I can felt!

As if that wasn't enough, I found another nice surprise in my mailbox last week. It's from one of my other friends of Krafty Max Originals who sent me this really cool hard cover "Doggy Knits" pattern book.

LOOK, GIZZY!

She suggested the pattern on pages 34-35, which of course is this cute little bee outfit:

(Oh, mom, don't tell me I have to be a bee again at the Honey Bee Festival this year?)

YES - YOU DO!

(Ok, I guess I can... I'll just win another trophy - again!!!)

Thank you so much! I love all my gifts! I'm so happy that I'm doing the happy dance!

Comments and Graphics - Layouts - Photobucket

How I spent my Independence Day: by Gizzy!

Hello, this is a post from the dog, me, Gizzy!  Mom is resting and I'm typing while Middi is holding the keyboard - Nooooooot!

In the morning I had breakfast in the park:

(I was hungry like a wolf)

After a nice little stroll investigating and inspecting, I sat on the porch of my dream house:

Then, I sat on a park bench to take in the scenery. It wasn't as hot as it normally is.

Of course, my  mommy always has plenty of fresh water on hand for my BIG thirst:

(Mmmm...that hit the spot)

After that mommy took me to our friend's house where I visited with her two doggies:

Tuffy (who's about my age)

and Sasha (who is Tuffy's daughter)

I love going to Sandy's house, because I get to stroll around the garden without the leash on and there's always very interesting and new smells to discover.

Mommy and Sandy sat on the porch talking and watching the birds, such as this handsome Cardinal:

Later, we walked across the street to visit a neighbor's dog who was in the back yard all by himself:

This is Paco, the Chihuahua, who seemed very friendly, but not very well mannered. He lifted his leg right on my face and mom had to rinse me off with the garden hose - yuk! (He barely missed my eye!)

Sandy gave me a big, soft towel to roll on and dry off:

 A few hours later, it was time for all of our naps (yes, we are seniors!) and I went back home:

As we walked out the gate, Sandy invited us back any time. Isn't that nice? (Note to mom: Find us a place like that! I like it here!)

Sandy's grandson took this group photo of us:

Hope you had an enjoyable Independence Day too!

(Uh-oooooh, mommy's coming. I'd best jump off this computer and scurry back to my bed. I know how she is about dog hair on the keyboard.)