My little green friend

I’ve been trying all day to get into blogger, but for the past few days I’m only able to get in at night. I know Google hates me and I can’t wait till I can afford a new computer.

Anyway, this is what I wanted to show you guys. When I returned from the doctor’s yesterday, I saw this little green fella hiding in my ginger lily:

and now a little closer:

By the way, my ginger lily has been blooming profusely for the past few weeks and the fragrance of the flower is heavenly. It grows beside my front porch and every time I walk by, its scent pulls me back to take another whiff. One of my neighbors walks by every morning to smell the blossoms.

You know that I’m taking a big chunk of that root with me when I move, especially since I planted it there.

And lastly, I wanted to show you the wooden treasure chest I ordered from my friend Arlene (who gave me a friendly price) that I’m sending to my sister in Germany next month. I told her to make it look really rustic with lots of knotty wood holes and I chose the brown paisley lining with the gold accents…it’s really so much prettier in person, but here are a few photos. I wish I could crochet a little Johnny Depp “Captain Sparrow” doll to go inside – wouldn’t that be just too cute?

 

She may just have to “settle” for some chocolate coins and fake pearls (beads) to fill her chest. I know she will LOVE it.

After the new year, I’m ordering one for myself because Arlene’s eyesight is failing (she gets those shots in her eye every nine weeks) and pretty soon she won’t be able to make them anymore and I selfishly want one for myself – and maybe one for Christie.

Happy Birthday, Christina!

Today is my daughter’s Birthday and since she lives in California and I in Georgia, I’m sending her birthday wishes from afar.

 

 

 

 

What a beautiful girl. I can’t believe it’s been so long….many happy returns, my love!

Just when you think it’s safe to come out from under the covers…

…there’s mom putting earrings on me to model her newest creations! (Oh, boy!)

I’m finally feeling back to my old self, and that’s what I get – being a model for her earrings – good thing I’m secure in my masculinity. I’m not intimidated by pink beds or babushkas or earrings – I’m VERY much a boy!

But, I have to say, her little thread crochet earrings came out kind of cute:

Have a wonderful day and a great week everyone and keep your cool – no matter what :-)

With love,

Gizzyfur

It’s the most wonderful time of the year~!

Just like some folks look forward to summer, I look forward to fall and winter, because that’s when I (and Gizzy) get to walk and frolic outside. I love to have all my windows open and have taken to crocheting outside as much as I can, because I was cooped up indoors with the air conditioner running all summer long dreaming of this time and the time is now. Hallelujah – free at last!!!

Besides my seasonal crocheting for orders and Christmas gifts, there is plenty of hooking to be done. I need to mail my Christmas gifts to Germany next month and have also entered a few Swaps that I find very enjoyable and rewarding, especially since I don’t have family here with whom to exchange Christmas gifts.

I am a big fan of Maggie Weldon’s and recently discovered that she is having a crochet a long. She has provided a supply list so we can all start on Monday. I want to do that with her. She will be converting this pillow into crochet and share the pattern as we go for this adorable Santa Pillow:

She’s an excellent artist and very generous in offering some of her beautiful patterns for free, such as this adorable and practical lantern potholder that I will be crocheting shortly:

She also does Lace Pottery. It sounds very interesting and her pieces are available for purchase as well as her lovely and unique patterns.

So, in the next few months, I will continue to spend most of time outside (my winter vacation!) and crocheting and next month my Christmas baking starts, so if you don’t hear from me as often, please don’t think I have forgotten because I have not. I’m only breathing in new life into these old lungs that have been yearning for fresh, cool air all summer long.

We have a winner…

The winner for my October giveaway is my fellow German blogging buddy, Anke of Our little piece of heaven. She had the lucky number provided by RANDOM.ORG.

CONGRATULATIONS, Anke! I hope you will enjoy your Halloween Ghosts.

Please send your mailing address to my e-mail at honeybeecrochet@live.com so that I can mail them in time for Halloween.

Gizzy says:

Our blogging buddy, Lani, of URBLOGDOG is asking for Halloween doggy photos. If you would like to share some of your doggy costume pictures, please e-mail them to her at: lanilaskowski@sbcglobal.net.

I will kick start the fun by showing you some of my silly dress up pictures:

Here, I’m posing as Santa’s reluctant helper.

Me wearing a babushka with my Miss Piggy:

Here I’m Mr. Cool wearing my Clifford sunglasses:

Lastly, a couple photos of me dressed as Bumble boy!

 

I hope looking at these has put you in the mood to dress up your pooch and submit them to Lani for her blog since mommy decided to not have a pet costume contest after all.

Lani will accept photos all through October!

Miss Matilda Jane of Oklahoma

We have a new member of the family that came to us all the way from Oklahoma. I won her playing Cathy’s Christmas Countdown on Live well, laugh often, Love much. Take a look on her blog, because it’s not too late to participate.

Cathy is a dear blogging buddy, a fellow Pins and Needles member (come and join us) and a wonderful artist skilled in quilting, sewing and all sorts of arts and crafts. You will find a wonderful selection of crafts on her blog as well as yummy recipes to try.

THANK YOU, CATHY, FOR THIS LOVELY DOLLY! As you can see, she’s made herself right at home by exploring her new surroundings:

After being in the shipping box for a while, she needed some fresh air by sitting on the chair outside on the back porch (my usual crocheting spot.)

After that, she wanted me to lift her up on that tree because, like me, she seems to love them very much:

“Look ma, no hands!”

Then she made friends with my red paisley hippo:

Hippo courtesy of Caryn of Smooch Designs.

She even helped me check something on the computer…she’s very smart, Cathy!

But her most favorite place to sit was right beside Gizzy. She likes him A LOT!

…and Gizzy likes her too! Thanks, Cathy, for sending your little Ms. Matilda Jane to live with us. We will be very happy together!

To Pet Costume Contest or to Not…

I was thinking that I really enjoyed having a pet costume contest before. I loved seeing all the animals in costume, mostly doggies, but every pet would be included, of course!

What do you all think? I’m going to post a Poll on my side bar to the right for you to answer? Based on the answers I receive by, let’s say, Monday, October 18th, I’ll hold a contest on my blog, which would still give us about two weeks for promoting and voting. What do you think? Please take a moment to let me know on my Poll (to your right.) Thank you!

 

REMEMBER to enter my October Giveaway. Everyone is welcomed to enter. You have until Monday, October 18th to enter!

For all those folks having pets and thinking you don’t have a costume, please allow me to make a few suggestions. If we’re going to do this, then I really would love for everyone with pets to participate and if you don’t have pets, borrow your neighbor’s or your mother’s – it doesn’t have to be your pet.

Here are some suggestions:

• Put one of your husband’s ties around your pet’s neck, maybe add a hat and/or (sun)glasses
• Cut out a shape of a person, animal, thing or toy and cut a hole the size of your pet’s head to fit through
• Cut up a cheap, white bed sheet or pillow case and make a ghost costume
• Wrap a pretty box that’s big enough for your pet, remove the lid, put a bow on your animal and let him/her sit inside the box with the head sticking out
• Put a bow or flower on your pet’s head and maybe a flower garland (lei) and you’ve got a hula girl
• Cut a spider or ladybug out of construction paper and tie it onto your pet’s back
• Make wings and a halo to put on your pet 
• Old Baby clothes will work (just remember to cut a hole for the tail) … the possibilities are endless!

REMEMBER: These can be just props to get a cute photo, not an elaborate outfit, unless you want it to be… so, before you say no to the costume, I’m sure that you can think of your own clever get-up with simple things around the house…most of all, have fun with this…as long as nobody gets hurt!

You can also consult The Daily Green for inexpensive, homemade, recycled and eco-friendly pet costumes!

Softie Swap, Halloween Potholders and Banks Lake

Today, I am posting for the first time via Windows Live Writer because Blogger is not cooperating – or maybe it’s my computer’s problem.

I participated in the “Send me a Softie” swap hosted by Vanessa of The Clip Cafe Blog. My swap partner, Caryn from Smooch Designs has sent me these lovely items all the way from Australia.

One of her newest creations, a Wacky Bird:

A red paisley Happy Hippo:

and a painting of an image what looks to me like Gizzy with a lovely lady that must be his auntie because I don’t look that pretty … nor young. Doesn’t that little critter smile just like Gizzy?

I also finished up a couple of silly Halloween potholders that could also be used as hot pads, doilies, dish cloths or wall hangings to decorate for Halloween.

Witchy potholder

Batty Potholder:

Both are for sale in my Etsy shop here: Honey Bee Crochet by SturmDM

Our friend and neighbor, Terri, took Gizzy and me to Banks Lake at dusk last night where we walked half way down the Nature Trail - till Terri got spooked about possible alligators – so we turned around. On the boardwalk I encountered an interesting caterpillar:

We sat and enjoyed the breeze and watched as the boats came in for the evening:

Gizzy enjoyed himself just being outside and having a change of scenery:

It was starting to get dark and we left relatively unharmed as there seemed to be very little mosquitoes out last night:

And this concludes my first post via Windows Live Writer. I must say this is very easy and so much better than using Blogger…anyone who wants to try this, you won’t be disappointed.

Our new stove and ME (by Gizzy)

New Stove and Gizzy
Originally uploaded by Crocheting_in_Georgia

Hello my friends - this is Gizzy, the dog. First of all, thank you sooo much for all your well wishes and prayers for my speedy recovery. I think I'm ok now and almost as good as new.

This is our new stove that was installed this morning. It's nice, but not as pretty as ME :-) I heard mommy talking about baking German Christmas cookies next month... now she can have at it!

Mommy told me that we are going to see the sunset at Banks Lake tonight with our friend, Terri, so maybe we'll get some nice photos to show you. I can't wait. It's been a long time since we went there.

Ta ta for now and happy thoughts all day for you and meeeeeee :-)

Laura's Hats with my snowflakes

Laura's Hats
Originally uploaded by Crocheting_in_Georgia

Today I wanted to feature a fellow Artisian who purchased some of my litle crocheted sparkling snowflakes to sew onto her lovely knitted hats. She has them listed for sale in her Etsy shop (http://www.TheCheekyGirl.Etsy.com) and I thought I'd show them to you since they look so adorable. If you want another color, just contact her to see what she has available. I am so proud to see my little snowflakes featured on these beautifully handknitted hats. Great job, Laura! Hope you sell a bunch :-)

REMEMBER to enter my October Giveaway!!!! It's open to everyone!

Gizzy is doing so-so. I took him in the shower with me and he had a burst of energy afterwards, like he always does. He wanted to play with his stuffed Miss Piggy, but was afraid to pick it up, so he must still be a little sore. I am giving him the amoxicillin as prescribed and have been handfeeding him since he still has not much of an appetite. He has always been a very finiky eater, but he still loves his treats, so it can't be all that bad ;-)

My October Giveaway Prize

Hotpad and coaster set
Originally uploaded by Crocheting_in_Georgia

I just finished crocheting these cotton Halloween gosts of mama and four baby ghostlings. Momma ghost is amply sized at ca. 8" X 9" and can be used as a potholder, hot pad, dish or wash cloth or just a fun halloween decoration. The matching baby ghosts measure approx. 5" X 5 1/4" and make cute Halloween coasters or party decorations.

If you want a chance at winning this set, please leave a comment here indicating that you want to be included in the drawing, so I know you're just not leaving a comment, but actually want to be part of this Giveaway.

I'm making this short and sweet so that I can mail the prize to the winner in time for Halloween. Last Day to enter is Monday, October 18th, 2010. Anyone can enter, including previous winners and over seas friends. As always, my follwers get two tickets and if you blog about it or post this on your blog's side bar, you get three entries. (Please tell me if you do this so that I can add more entriesd in the hat for you.)

I hope you enjoy this Giveaway and Good Luck to you all!

He's watching you!

Tree frog
Originally uploaded by Crocheting_in_Georgia

Isn't he the cutest? My neighbor brought him over last night so that he can live on my front porch where I have lots of plants for him to hide in. This morning this cute little tree frog was clinging to the wall watching me as I took his photo.

Also, a quick update on my boy: He woke up vomiting this morning and had blood on his paw and on his blanket. I called the Vet who called in some Amoxicilling for him and this afternoon he got sick again - looked like blood, so I called the Vet again. He said to give him Pepto and more Amoxicilling and try to feed him a few bites (he didn't want to eat much today.) Gizzy's been sleeping most of the day. I'm trying to keep him still and hope and pray that he'll be ok over night, otherwise, he's going back to the Vet's tomorrow morning.

Please say a little prayer for my boy's speedy recovery and I'll keep you informed. Hopefully it'll be good news in the morning.

I am working on my October Giveaway prize. It's Halloween themed, so I'll be posting it soon and have a shorter entry period (one week) so that it can get to the winner before Halloween.

All I want for Christmas is...

All I want for Christmas is...
Originally uploaded by Crocheting_in_Georgia

well, you can guess! Mommy took me to the Vet's yesterday for a dental and look at me now: they stole five teeth (out of my 42) while I was sleeping - how rude! I don't think I want to go back there again...I'm counting on Santa to fix this for me.

Mommy said she loves me anyway, but still - what a shock! It'll take me a bunch of homemade hamburger patties to get over this ordeal! Keep 'em coming ma ;-)

A little angel and my newest addiction

Angel amigurumi and tea
Originally uploaded by Crocheting_in_Georgia

It's been a busy day today. I had to go grocery shopping and that always wears me out. I can't believe I am actually complaining considering some people have nothing to eat or had to hunt and gather for their food - talk about tiring!

Anyway, I stayed up till 2 pm last night finishing up that little crocheted amigurumi angel for my neighbor. She's been very helpful since I lost my vehicle and has been taking me grocery shopping and offering me rides.

She also helps other folks in this complex, so she reminds me of everyone's guardian angel. It came over me to make her this 6" angel and will sew her name on the skirt with some small letter beads that I have.

I don't go out much anymore; therefore, I get excited over little things, like this decandent Lipton Vanilla Caramel Truffle tea...it's so delishious that I don't even need to sweeten it. Next time I'll have to get 2 boxes.

Please forgive me, but I'm tired and my feet hurt. I'm going to put my feet and watch a Netflix movie.