MMmmmmm mmmmm!

The other day I mentioned how I love good news.  Well, now I can tell you when you can watch for that good news too! Celeste reports that her pattern will be published in the 2005 May/June or July/August issue of Quick and Easy Crochet! ... so if you want to subscribe to it, or if you want to give a subscription as gift this holiday season, be sure to checkout the website magazinevalues.

Yesterday, when the weather was not so frightful (we're in the middle of a snow & freezing rain storm), we went to Jones Family Tree Farm and picked out a most beautiful Blue Spruce Christmas tree.  While we were there we visited their Gift Shop where I found a beautiful cream & red (thread) crocheted ornament. Of course I bought it!  Right along with a jar of Maple Pecan Pumpkin butter.  MMmmmmm mmmmm! lol

I need to hunt down Freddie in the next few days. She's the editor of the Chain Link Newsletter put out by the CGOA.  She works for a yarn shop that sells a design software package I'm interested in.  It appears that Santa wants the specs on the software... (it's different from the software I mentioned the other day) I must contain my excitement because just because he's asking about it doesn't necessarily mean it will be under the tree.  (Hey Santa, it's OK if it's not. Pressurized coal works too! lol)

I did manage to stop by the Craft Basket today.  They will close their doors in just over a week.  It's sad they're going out of business.  Everything in the store is 50-60 percent off.  Surprisingly, they still had some yarn left.  And not so surprisingly, some of it came home with me today.  MMmmmmm mmmmm!

They have row counters for people like me!

You are interchangeable. Fun, free, and into
everything, you've got every eventuality
covered and every opportunity just has
to be taken. Every fiber is wonderful, and
every day is a new beginning. You are good at
so many things, it's amazing, but you can
easily lose your place and forget to show up.
They have row counters for people like you!

What kind of knitting needles are you?
brought to you by Quizilla



Oh, this is so true! (lol) I visited Hazelnut Latte's journal and saw she had her quiz results posted and couldn't resist seeing what my results would be.  It turns out we're the same type of knitting needles hanging on the display rack!  (well, actually based from her journal posts she's using hers!  Mine are apparently still in the packaging!  lol)  Now, the real question is, what type of crochet hook am I?  Hmmm. I wonder if such a quiz exists...

Getting back on topic, I wrote that the answer from the quiz is so right in describing me!  I do tend to be involved, and yet easily lose my place.  But, in all fairness, I do have two youngsters who HELP me lose my place! (lol)

Take this past Wednesday for example ... I was to attend the Connecticut session of "Coffee,Crochet and Chat" at one of our local book stores.  I was all set to go. I was in the process of dropping the kiddies off at school when my dear daughter discovered she left her book bag and lunch at home.   This meant I had to DRIVE all the way back home, then back to the school again.   I was also soaked by the heavy rains and had to tend to that too.  By the time I realized it, I had "lost my place" and missed out on the crochet session. (bummer!)

Would the row counters help in this situation?  It's doubtful. But since I was at the bookstore already, I decided to check out the new magazine published by Vogue Knitting called Knit 1.

It just came out in November and is getting rave reviews!  I liked what I saw and decided to treat myself to an issue.  Inside, I saw a VERY pretty beaded bracelet being advertised that can be used as a row counter... and, BTW, if you're interested in knowing if it contains any crochet patterns, you'd be happy to learn that this trendy magazine does!  The bracelet may not help keep me on track, or encourage me to get those knitting needles out of their packaging, but it would be pretty to wear!  <<giggles>>

And speaking of being trendy ... we all know that crochet is, but now designers are REALLY starting to catch on.  Be sure to check out the fashions at Elle.com.  AND be prepared to have your crocheted socks knocked off! J

Dreamin' of a White Christmas

While we're making plans on visiting Jones Family Farm to get a fresh Connecticut homegrown Christmas tree, my thoughts also drift, like white fluffy snow, over to decorating possibilities. (I'm really liking that tree on the bottom right, dear.  Let's be sure to get that one!)

Crochet has long been known as an art form with the greatest potential for recreating what we see in nature with fiber. That fiber is known as thread, and the items recreated can range in size depending upon the thread size and hook size used. And, usually, when this topic is brought to light, the first thoughts in most people's minds are doilies. But we're not talking doilies here. We're talking tree decorating possibilities!

The year my husband and I married, I decorated our tree with white lights, and crystal/glass ornaments with red ribbons. The year our daughter was born, I decorated our Christmas tree with white and pink lights, white and pink ornaments, and pink ribbons. (Are you thinking ahead of me? Yeah, I bet you are! lol) When our son was born, I decorated our tree with white and blue lights, white and blue ornaments and blue ribbons.  So now, what about the ideal crocheted Christmas tree?

Since there are, in nature, no two snowflakes alike, may I suggest crocheting a variety of snowflakes for your tree? As the snowflakes are being blocked, sprinkle them with ultrafine fabric glitter. You'll LOVE the end results!

Next, thoughts of garland comes to mind ... but lets update it a bit by adding some fine crystal beads. That will add some real shimmer when the lights twinkle!  Oh, and let's not forget about ornaments! There's been talk of using metallic spray paint to add a whole new look to them!!

It's a bit late in the season for me to even consider having our tree decked out in crochet as I have other crochet commitments ... but just as one would bestow holidays greetings for a White Christmas, one can also wish for one decked out in crochet.

And just in case gift tags are needed for those holiday presents, make it crocheted ... or at least just print out the gift tags that feature crochet, like the one to the left.  (See?  I made this tag simple by already adding my name to it!  lol)

...Think of all the fun I'd miss...Santa, baby

Oh, can it be true? There's software out there to help me get organized with my crochet? For real?

It must be. The website HandAble.com states that they have software for the crocheter who has everything, but can't keep track of it all!

The software they're offering is for use with PDAs. PDAs are like little personal assistants in the shape of a mini computer that fits nicely in handbags.  I have one and love it.  (I got mine through Dell's website.) 

So, what about this crochet software?  The website states that the software will do the following:

Projects Database

Measurements Database

Abbreviations and Terms Database

Hooks Database

Patterns Database

Books and Magazines Database

Yarn Database

Hook Conversion Chart

Yardage Estimate Calculator

Buttonhole Spacing Calculator

Increase/Decrease Calculator

Metric/English Conversion Calculator

US vs. UK Terms Chart

Oh, and how sweet!   It says you can use your desktop with the software to synchronize the information. Hmmm.  (please pardon my drooling at the mere thought of being that techno-savvy!!)

Santa baby, if you're reading this, I am interested!
They're even offering a free trial!
I've been an awful good girl, Santa baby,
So hurry down the chimney tonight (& download it for me!)
Boo doo bee doo

Scarves, Scarves, Scarves

It seems I've been crocheting scarves for months, and looking back, I have!  First for charity, then for my children's teachers. Now I'm working on a scarf (and hat) for my father. I'm using the yarn called LanaGatto and it's HEAVEN to work with.

It's a wool/viscosa blend that I picked up on clearance ... 95% of it is actually is wool, and one would think that it would be quite itchy. But it's NOT!! Perhaps this is because of the 5% viscosa they blended in (viscosa is rayon). This yarn is so incredibly soft that I can't help but pet my work after finishing a few rows.

The scarf is simple ... just 22 single crochets -- an "I" hook. The color I'm using is #6970. In the picture to the right, the color looks nearly black. In reality, it's a cross between royal and navy blue with bursts of color now & then, sprinkled with little white threads throughout.  It's beautiful.  I'm hoping my father likes it as much as I'm enjoying working it up.

Later today I'll be donning on a Santa hat and ho ho ho-ing it downtown to our local Salvation Army. I'll be joining other members of our CGOA Chapter to haul in a fantastic bounty of goodies for all the boys & girls in need. We'll be donating some 80 plus sets of hats, mittens and scarves, and many, many brand new toys. This is what the holiday season is all about: Helping Others. J

I LOVE Good News!!

One of the ladies that has been a member of our CGOA Chapter since it's start in 2001 sent me an email yesterday. She has such a great & giving heart!

Our first charity drive as a Chapter was crocheting Special Comfort Pillow Afghans to donate to Friends of Karen, Inc.  (a nonprofit group that aids terminally ill children & their families in the Westchester & Fairfield counties).  Celeste came up with her own pattern (see image on right) that everyone just fell in love with. After she donated it, she made another, and this time wrote the pattern down. She then submitted it to a contest that the magazine "Quick & Easy" was having and went on with her life.  Well, as you'll read, she was having a rough day...

Wed 11/17 I went home from work to prepare for a test at the Hospital for Thursday. Drank the awlful Phosophos Soda and sat down to look at the mail. Only to find tucked inside of a catalog the envelope advising me of my win. Somehow the whole test thing was suddenly minimized in my brain, I guess I had a more exciting item to think of.

I was truly surprised and in shock when I opened the envelope. WOW I really won 1st prize and my directions will be published. Yes, I was honored and excited but really I have to reflect on how it came to be.

And how did it ? It was the result of my heartfelt effort to do something for others "Friends of Karen" which at the time of creating it, I never even dreamed of winning anything. My intent was just to comfort someone .

You know I have to say, the best reward above all winning anything is to fulfill the opportunity to do for others. Its the feeling, not a prize thats the best .

"Rewards are always the greatest when we give to others" .

Well said, well said!!

Congratulations Celeste!!

Crochetaholics Anonymous

1. I will not stuff crochet supplies in every corner of my house.

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

3. I will not pick up more yarn, hooks, and patterns when I have a ton at  home.

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

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

6. I will not attend crochet shows just to pick up more ideas.

7. I will not stock up on more crochet supplies just because they are on sale.

8. I will not go off on a tangent when anyone mentions, "MAKE ME A COPY OF  THAT PATTERN????".

9. I will not let my crocheting distract me from fixing dinner.

10. I will not stay up all night crocheting.

11. I will not save pattern labels, free leaflets, extra copies of patterns, etc.

12. I will not buy every crochet magazine I see.

13. I will not make promises I cannot keep. 

           See you at the yarn store(s)!!!! :-)
 
 (This was sent to me in an email today; I love it and had to share!)