Sneak Peek: Cotton Candy

Have you ever had that feeling like you have a pit in your stomach? For me, it's been that way nearly all week ... since returning home from the Museum of Natural History on Monday. (Yes, the same museum the 2006 movie is featured in.) At first I thought it was a severe case of motion sickness (I'm not one who can crochet or read while in a moving vehicle). But it was more than that -- it was a stomach virus (compliments of NYC or the entire 6th grade class, I'm not sure)! Yuk!

While I did my best to keep up with the kids (marathon week @ their school as the last day is quickly approaching) and with work (creating a new website for someone), the rest of the time I've been recuperating.

I'm feeling a little better today and have been trying to catch up with my emails, and even do a little crocheting. But, before I could crochet today I got that "pit in the stomach" feeling again -- but this time because I was panicked! I couldn't find my "Cotton Candy" project I've been mentioning! At first I thought I left it in the Museum as I had worked on it there (I love to crochet in public!), then I thought perhaps I left it on the coach bus ... and I had Mini~Dee searching every inch inside my vehicle to no avail. Cotton Candy was missing!

Then it dawned on me, I've been sick! ... I looked on my night stand and there is was! Whew! (Sometimes it is so difficult to see the obvious! LOL)

Every sequin you see there had to have the hole hand-punched, and every sequin was placed on, one stitch at a time; a real labor of love! The project is not done yet, but I thought since I was MIA for a week, a sneak peek should make for a good bribe to my readers. At least I hope so.

Can you guess who made the crochet hook?

((snicker, snort))

Last night I served my mandatory "volunteer" time at my children's school, serving as a "runner" during Bingo that helps the school raise money to keep tuition down.

Usually I bring some soft yarn and quietly work on crocheting chemo caps as I await the excited "BINGO!" shout (or shouts depending upon the number of winners for that particular game). But, since all I have on my crochet hook at the moment is my "cotton candy" project, I didn't want to bring it with me and later be upset to have it smelling like cigarette smoke (some judges take off points for projects having an odor); and I had no time to grab a skein of yarn & hook for chemo caps before dashing out the door -- but I did grab Mary Beth Temple's new book, "Hooked for Life: Adventures of a Crochet Zealot" ... and I shouldn't have. Seriously.

When one is in a Bingo hall it is important to be quiet. Apparently, very quiet. Bingo is a serious game, and missing one called number could be the difference between going home empty handed, or going home a winner, perhaps with the jackpot. Why shouldn't I have brought the book? Because Mary Beth got me into trouble. ((snicker))

As I read the various chapters I started laughing. At first I was laughing real quiet like, being respectful to the Bingo players. Then I started softly chuckling; I got a few glances my way. As I continued to read I tried to hold the laughs in, but that only made it worse. Then, when I got to the chapter on Mount Yarn, I just couldn't hold my laughter back any longer -- I burst!! It was as if Mary Beth had a bird's eye view of my own personal Mount Yarn!! ... Ah, if looks could kill! ... reluctantly, I put the book away, apologized, and then returned to the seriousness of calling out numbers and verifying Bingo winners. ((Mount Yarn -- snicker, snort))

At the end of the night several lady Bingo'ers approached me. "What? No crocheting tonight?" one asked. "Yeah, we like it better when you crochet," another one added. "Oh, yeah, bring some yarn next time and make more chemo hats! It's amazing how quick you make them!" the third one exclaimed. I got the message.

I am half way through the book, and I have Bingo duty again next week. I'm thinking I won't be bringing Mary Beth to anymore Bingo halls...

Hey, What are YOU doing Here?

I feel as though I have been jet-setting around the world -- only staying local. ((grins))

Mom's visit officially ends (for me) tomorrow; not a day I'll be looking forward to as our states (FL and CT) are so far apart and we seem to have so much fun together...

and speaking of so far apart ...

Have you ever visited a local yarn or craft shop to unexpectedly find someone there that you know? That happened to me earlier this week, where I ran into Karen at AC Moore. There I was, 1/2 a state away and bumping into Karen; what a treat!! :)

Mini~Dee: Published!

My Mini~Dee has decided it is time to release the pattern for her Communion Rosary that she designed and crocheted for her own Communion back in 2005, and later won two Blue Ribbons for!

Many people have seen her Communion Rosary in my photo/blog archives since that time and have requested the pattern. We decided to work as a team this week to release it; and it is now ready! Those interested in purchasing Mini~Dee's first independently published pattern, may do so here. For those new to my blog and wanting to know a little more about Mini~Dee's crochet adventures, you might be interested in visiting her website at http://www.caseyscrochet.com. ((Yes, she knows she needs to update her blog; she's been busy with school activities and says she will get to it soon.))

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In the meantime I'm nearly done with the website I have been busy building, doing a little reading (more on that later), visiting with my mother (from FL), and working on my "Cotton Candy" entry for the CGOA Design contest. Details to follow, soon. :)

the pursuit of happiness

Mr. Dee spoke with a veteran who was collecting funds for the VFW. "People today don't understand," the vet explained to Mr. Dee, "up to 250 American soldiers were buried daily in the Netherlands alone, in the peak of conflict in Europe during World War II. We fought hard, and many died. One battle directed by General Patton cost the US 35,000 soldiers." The vet was 87 years old with a memory as sharp as a tack. He went on. "I was recently interviewed for a program that will be on the History channel. America shouldn't forget. America should remember."

Mr. Dee shook his hand and thanked him for serving his country.

And the vet is right. We should remember. The freedom we enjoy today did not come free. It cost lives. Many, many lives. And it is still costing lives. Remember those who served and gave their lives so that we can enjoy the pursuit of happiness. And, when you see a vet -- not just today -- but everyday, take a moment and say "Thank You!"

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My mother is visiting from Florida. I wanted to surprise her with a belated Mother's Day gift. I took out two hanks of Skinny Dyed organically grown cotton yarn. One was a dark blue, the other in mint. Mini~Dee helped me wrap the first hank into a ball of yarn, and Grammie Gloria helped me wrap the other. Then, as we sat and talked, using my Go Green T-shirt Bag pattern, I set to work.

Soon, my mother decided her long wait to watch the movie "Marley & Me" with her grandkids was over. We popped the movie into the DVD player and got comfortable. By the end of the movie my project was done. I handed it to my mother. "Happy Mother's Day," I exclaimed.

She smiled. "Wow! That was fast!" She ran her hands over my stitches.

"I know you know I crochet," I said, "I thought it might have more meaning if you got to watch it grow from two hanks into a bag before your very eyes -- you know, to have something NOT made in China, but more like something made in America, or in this case, something made at Grammie Gloria's ..."

She hugged her bag. "I love it!," she exclaimed.

Mr. Dee came over to examine the bag and wanted to explain to her the idea of perhaps inserting a sleeve on the inside. She playfully slapped at him to stay away from her bag. "Oh, no you don't, this is my bag!" she laughed. Then she ran out of the room with Mr. Dee giving chase.

"But Mom, wait, let me explain!" he pleaded.

"No! I don't want you stretching out my bag," she said. This went on for several minutes. Everyone was laughing.

"Look at those too," Mini~Dee said to Dee Jr. "And they call us kids!"

"Aye. I'm workin' on 'em."

What a rough week! ... fought off a stomach virus, strained my elbow and my wrist, and now battling seasonal allergies! Ieeee!

Fortunately there is good news, just like Scotty from Star Trek reports, "I'm workin' on 'em!":
1. I am on the mend!
2. The website I am designing is coming along.
3. The design I'm working on for the CGOA Design Contest that I'm calling "Cotton Candy" is growing quite nicely (now on hold until my UPS driver delivers 'reinforcement supplies'). Even Mini~Dee is excited about my project as she'll be modeling it on the runway come August.
and
4. I have released a new PDF pattern called Oh So Quick! Adult Winter Hat & Cowl Neck Scarf, and have it available for purchase through Ravelry and my website.

Now, I know my blog entries here have been a bit spaced, and after reading the above I am hoping they are good enough excuses. Remember, anytime you want to know what I'm up to, feel free to look to the right column and check out my Twitter status. Usually that is where I am posting about my coffee cravings (I'm down to 1 cup a day), my UPS stalking episodes, and maybe stating I'm out of the office, watching the latest Star Trek movie, crochet in hand but of course ... after all, one never knows if a cozy for a phaser will be needed...

From Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Kirk: "Do you always multiply your repair estimates by a factor of four?"
Scotty: "How else to maintain my reputation as a miracle worker?"

Lucky Sacrifices

Dee Jr. was crushed yesterday that his dad couldn't play basketball with him after school as his dad was attending a seminar. It was a lesson for Dee Jr. about making sacrifices. Dee Jr. was not alone in feeling "crushed" over missing out on things he wanted to do; I was having the same feelings and thus it was an interesting topic for us to discuss.

I asked him to empty out his short-sleeved shirt drawer so we could go through and pull the shirts that no longer fit him. As he did I reminded him that he should feel lucky. Prior to Mr. Dee's layoff he worked very long hours, often getting home just as the kids were headed to bed. There certainly was no time for basketball during those days. I placed an orange T-shirt in a pile next to me. We continued on.

Then I reminded him that it is important that we pull together as a family to support one another. Your family should be your safe haven. Your personal cheerleading squad. A place for unconditional love, that comes with free hugs and smiles when needed most. He nodded in agreement. I placed a tie-dyed T-shirt in the pile next to me.

Then I reminded him that once his dad finds new employment, he might be working long hours again. So basketball would have to go back to being a weekend treat again. I placed a striped shirt in my pile; watching me, Dee Jr. gave me a funny look. We continued our discussion. I told him how I missed attending the Crochet Friends of Stamford meeting eariler in the day because I took on a job with a deadline that needs to be met. A sacrifice, I said, as my way of helping the family. I placed his Plymouth Rock souvenir T-shirt in my pile.

Then I reminded him how his dad likes to be a private person, but that tomorrow his class at the local unemployment office will be taped for a PBS special, meaning Mr. Dee will have to sacrifice a bit of his reservedness (is there such a word?), that perhaps this special will help someone else in the same situation. Dee Jr. nodded his head. He said he understood. We were done going through his shirts; I picked up the pile of T-shirts I had been stacking. Dee Jr. inquired what I was going to do with his shirts. "That, my sweet boy, is your sacrifice. They don't fit you any longer and I think they'll crochet up beautifully as Go Green T-shirt bags!"

Did I mention how I'll be playing basketball after school today? Yeah. Another sacrifice, abet a fun one. The kid is good; wish me luck in getting at least one basket! :)