Checking In

It's been an exhaustive few days ... the "ice cream" cone cake came out great and my son reported that it was a hit with his class.

I just finished Parent-Teacher conferences and the news was all good.  The kids, btw, did great on their report cards -- straight A's with the exception of their handwriting.  There they got a B ... we're quite proud of them!  One of the things we did address was my daughter's apparent shyness -- about everything it seems EXCEPT crochet!  The teacher is pleased that my daughter is using her fondness for the craft as a way to break out of her little shell ... if you'll recall, she's been making little crochet kits and giving them to her schoolmates and teaching them on the playground.  This of course also led her to wanting her own website to help promote crochet (and other fiber arts) to childern: Casey's Crochet. 

Also, my contract arrived for the poncho.  I finally finished selecting the yarns for the new poncho and will set to work on it soon.  First I need to write up a Bio for the book.  Here's what I can tell you about the book:

My poncho will be one of 30-35 original designs for crocheted ponchos that will vary in skill levels (meaning it will be great for beginners to advanced level crocheters).  It will feature all types of yarn and stitches.  The title, what they refer to as the "working title" is Stylish Ponchos to Crochet.  Of course they can change the name, but this is what they're thinking right now.  The book will come out sometime in 2005.

Whew!  OK, I'm off!  I gotta go get changed.  We're taking the Birthday Boy out for dinner tonight.  It should be a fun time!

Whoohoo!!

We met the challenge!  The 30 Scarves in 30 Days was met ... thank you to all that helped meet this challenge that will really help those in need this winter!

I took some pictures and hope to post them sometime this week -- I will be "aloof" for the next several days as I am preparing for my son's birthday.  Such as right now as I have "Ice Cream" baking in the oven (just omit the cupcake papers and use an ice cream cone ... fill it with the cake mix and bake.  Then ice when cool.  It's a hit with young kids.) 

His birthday is on Wednesday, and his party is on Saturday.  Report cards come out tomorrow, and then parent-teacher conferences start on Wednesday.  I told him I got him a crochet kit for his birthday ... I didn't.  I would though if he showed more interest.  I told him he could crochet himself a matchbox car ... uh oh!  he's sounding like he's liking this idea!  LOL

I'll be poking my head in once & awhile this week ... it's just that Birthdays are a big deal here!  Happy Crocheting & thanks again for helping the Challenge be so successful!  :)

Happy Grins

Today is it -- the end of the 30 Scarves in 30 Days Challenge.

While we await the results to see if we officially met the Challenge, I thought I'd share a comic that I've altered the punchline to. The first image (uncolored) is the original.   Enjoy!



 

Wha? Snnnooooww??!

On Thursday, we had nearly 60 degree weather here in Connecticut.  Today, right now as a matter of fact, looking out my kitchen window, there's two inches of fresh white snow on the ground!!!  It's beautiful, but too early in the season!

I'll be off teaching crochet today, so the commute should be interesting.  Hopefully the roads will be clear, or at least sanded.

I did manage to crochet up some more scarves for the challenge yesterday, and I'm glad that Robin corrected the count I had posted for her.   I'm hoping that we'll be able to meet the challenge by tomorrow.   Here's the breakdown:

30 Scarves in 30 Days: (days remaining: 1)
....From Cris of Danbury (all knitted):       1 scarf and 5 hats
....As posted by Robin Anderson:                 4 preemie caps for the U. Of MD NICU (Jamie)
                                                               2 purple scarfs for the YWCA Shelter in my church (Caron)
                                                               2 adult purple hats (to go with the scarfs) for the YWCA Shelter in my church
...From Lori of Greenwich:                       1 scarf
...From Ang W (via email):                        1 scarf went to homeless shelter in St. Stephens
... and from new crocheter, Stephanie, of New Fairfield:  1 scarf
(THANK YOU LADIES!!!!)

and I now have 20 scarves done (plus a hat) ....
that brings us to 28 of the 30 Scarves in 30 days Challenge!!

This means we need just TWO more scarves by tomorrow!  I know that together, we can do it!  And I know, in looking at the fresh snow outside, that they will surely help in keeping those in need a bit warmer this upcoming winter season!  :)

Lions and Tigers, oh my!

I thought we'd never find our way out of that room!  Even at 8:00 last night, we were busy putting the kids beds back together and getting toys sorted out.  With as much as we accomplished, I've come to an executive and design decision.

Never again -- ever again! -- will I trim a blanket in fun fur!

We are a family devoid of pets.  No cats, no dogs.  No birds, no fish.  No gerbils, no lizards.  Nope, nadda one pet.

But seeing us in public, one might think we had a lion!

You see, it all started last winter with an argument over a flannel wrap I crocheted the fur onto.  My son liked the way it felt and kept taking it and using it as his blankie.  I, on the other hand, would have to go on Mission Impossible, including tip toeing (which is a physically painful for me) to get it back while he was alseep.

To solve the problem I bought a fleece panel from the local fabric store.  He loved it and swore he'd only use this as his blanket if I crocheted the fur on.  After all, it was a panel of lions and tigers, and adding fur DID seem like the logical thing to do.

But never owning a lion or tiger in my life, I had no idea how much those things shed in real life, never mind in imaginary life.

And that's the problem here.  The fur is not holding.  It's coming off -- sheding off! -- the blanket and is EVERYWHERE!  It's on clothing.  It's on furniture.  It's imbedded into the carpeting.  It's just Everywhere!  While looking at my vacuum cleaner, and in my best Scotty voice I said to my husband, "I don't think it can take the strain, Jim!"

So I threw this blanket back into the wash -- and between the washing and drying cycles more of the fur was removed.

The blanket edging doesn't look at glorious as it once did, but at least I now know that I learned a valuable lesson. Don't put fur on a blanket!

A Side Note:  Most people forget visiting the zoo during the winter.  If you click onto the tiger image here, it will lead you to the Bronx Zoo.  For my family, visiting in the winter is awesome.  There's no bugs, no crowds.  You can actually stand the heat in the reptile and bird buildings without passing out.  AND ... it's a time to see animals that love the cold really get active.  One year we went and actually got to see Snow Leapards playing in the snow!  :)

Thank Them

I am home with the kids today.  It will be a day of well needed cleaning.  After all, I cannot recall the color of the carpet in their room, find my son's gym clothes, or reach my "gift closet" that's in their room to put some items away.  I'm also in need of using their small bodies to snake between the wall and the wraparound couch to pick up fallen tapestry needles, crochet hooks, and the such.

So, before I enlist them into cleaning service, I want to make a special note that we should Thank a Vet today.  Heck, let's thank them all!  In time of war, and in time of peace, these men and women served to help protect our freedoms.  And I think that a little recognition and gratitude are well deserved by these people. 

If you don't know a vet, thank your parents and your grandparents.  Perhaps they didn't serve under a branch of our government, but I'm sure they made sacrifices somewhere down the line to support our troops.

Perhaps it was the way they gave up luxury items to ensure our troops got needed supplies.  Perhaps they volunteered to care for Vets in the hospital.  Perhaps they wore their clothing thin so they could save their money and purchase scarce yarn to crochet or knit up scarves, socks, vests and such for those serving in the military.  Either way, thank them.  Thank someone for the freedoms we all enjoy today.

In the line of thinking of scarves, I crocheted three yesterday.  And this means it's time for another update:

30 Scarves in 30 Days: (days remaining: 3)
....From Cris of Danbury (all knitted):       1 scarf and 5 hats
....As posted by Robin Anderson:                 8 preemie hats (NICU at University of MD hospital),
                                                               1 scarf (to go to YMCA homeless shelter) and
                                                               1 "Crochet for the Cure" (Lion Brand) scarf, the YWCA Homeless shelter
                                                                   2 adult hats (Lion Woolspun) for the YWCA Shelter in my church
                                                               1 scarf (Red Heartblue varigated) for the YWCA Shelter.
...From Lori of Greenwich:                      1 scarf
...From Ang W (via email):                      1 scarf went to homeless shelter in St. Stephens
... and from new crocheter, Stephanie, of New Fairfield:  1 scarf
(THANK YOU LADIES!!!!)

and I now have 18 scarves done (plus a hat) ....
that brings us to 23 of the 30 Scarves in 30 days Challenge!!


Three days to go -- seven scarves needed to meet the Challenge.

                                                    Together, we CAN do it!!

If you'd like to aid in meeting this challenge, just knit or crochet up a scarf.  Then post here, or email me that you are donating a scarf -- don't forget to mention the charity you'll be giving it to!  We're looking to meet the 30 Scarves in 30 Days Challenge on November 14th!  Experienced and New crocheters and knitters are welcomed to participate!  ....and if you're looking for pattern to try, check out the free pattern I have on my website at www.CrochetWithDee.com

Two New "Reads" Captivate Me

Bead and Button Magazine.  I've raved about it before, and today is no different.  I received my latest issue (Dec 2004) last week, but today was the first day I had the luxury of leafing through it, and dropping my jaw in pure awe.

Featured in this month's issue is a stunning crocheted and beaded bowl designed by Carol Ventura -- renown for the tapestry Crochet technique.  In reading her pattern that coincides with the beading technique, I can see myself getting drawn into brainstorming ... into coming up with a wealth of possibilities of designs created easily with the technique she describes in this issue. (excuse me for a moment while I wipe my chin of excess drool.)

For more information about this fantastic magazine, you can visit their official website at beadandbutton.com or if you'd like to subscribe to it and save some money at the same time, you can visit the website known as magazinevalues.com .

 I've also been reading the book, Color Works: The Crafter's Guide to Color, and just love it!  This book was created for the fiber artist in all of us -- and helps explain the relationships hue, contrast, and more have to do with color, and how they react to each other.  I'm really looking forward to learning why certain colors work together rather than by going by intuition.  I think knowing how the relationships between colors work will help me in future projects I create. J

PS: I chatted with my Mom on the phone tonight and let the cat out of the bag ... I told her how I secretly submitted one of her afghans for judging this past summer, and revealed what the judge had to say. She seemed happy to hear the news although there were no ribbons awarded. (Alright Mom!)