Hi Everyone! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!! I realize it's a little late but better late than never. The last two weeks have been totally nuts around here. Scott got sick the Wed. before Christmas and he's just now starting to feel better but still gonna have to have some tests run. We thought he just had a bad virus with vomiting and all for a day or so but he still hurt and couldn't eat much without hurting for several days, almost a week. So they're going to do some tests, the Dr. suspects either an ulcer scaled down or Gallbladder since he's had this problem twice this month, just a tiny episode of it the first time. We just thought he had viruses going around both times til he got to hurting so bad. He's doing lots better now but it will still have to be looked into so hopefully it doesn't happen again.

Other than that, Christmas went great with Scott recovering and dinner at my parents' house and several other parties, dinners and whatnot. We got a new stove mainly for Christmas as our other one had burners I hated and got way too hot and smelled like it was burning the house down anytime you turned it on. I've got it posted on Freecycle hoping for someone to come get it that needs one, glad to be rid of the thing that was impossible to clean those open burners with food, dust etc dropping into them all the time. And we also took some Christmas money and bought a new microwave as our old one threw a fit Christmas day and went out for a while. It came back on after being unplugged for a while but is still old and really slow so it too is on Freecycle for someone without one to use. I figure if it still works and someone can use it that's better than it going to the dump and someone going without one at all.

After so much complaint around here the couple weeks before Christmas about noone having time to slow down and enjoy Christmas with family and all it was good to finally be with most of the family and a couple of friends Christmas day. I was the one doing the complaining but it seemed like everyone was too busy to care that it was supposed to be a family time. Too bad everyone can't seem to calm down and slow down and enjoy the season- even though Christmas eve and day were great, it would have been better if the week or two before had been filled with the feeling that someone cared about the Holidays (and I use the term loosely) sometime other than one or two days a year.

And don't jump on me for saying Holidays.... I hate that phrase not because it means a combination of Merry Christmas and Happy New year.... but people have used it so much to avoid saying Merry Christmas for fear for dear life they'll offend someone. I don't approve of everything Wal-mart has done lately but I do applaud their "in your face" approach of Merry Christmas after hardly acknowledging it last year. If anyone wants to use anything it should be "Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays" to acknowledge both Christmas so blessed plus the new year, and any other holiday one might celebrate. That isn't leaving anyone out- that's a way of including everyone.

Now that the new year is upon us, I hope everyone has a great one and above all please stay safe!! I realize not many patterns and crochet related things have been posted here lately but maybe that can get back to normal soon. It's great to hear from all my old friends and new ones too- please keep in touch!!

Have a great New Year everyone!!

Love,
Marla

A new Preemie pattern

Hi Everyone,

had to check in for a few as I realize my postings are not as frequent as they need to be lately- sorry about that!!

Thanks to a couple of you who asked- Mr. Earnhardt is doing much better and is his mischeivious self again. Finally got that feline respiratory infection out of the house.

Things are crazy trying to catch up for Christmas- it's all going too fast this year. I finally sat down today to crochet something besides a gift and here's what I'm making:

UMC Preemie Hat and Booties

It's a pattern Bev from Bevscountrycottage.com posted on her blog and it's adorable! She asks that you send them to UMC a hospital close to her in Las Vegas but if you can't send them there please donate them somewhere!

Back to some relaxing crocheting while hubby is asleep and the cats are in the den for a while more.

Checking in

Hi Everyone,

I just realized reading blogs that I haven't updated my own lately. It's been hectic here- among other things a cat with a respiratory infection that we're trying to keep from spreading to the others. He's starting to get over it but not totally over it yet.

I'm having a bit of trouble myself getting into the Christmas spirit even though I love Christmas. Hoping maybe making a couple of Christmas presents and listening to Reba McEntire's Merry Christmas to You will get my spirit going. It's my favorite- her voice is so beautiful. Gives me goosebumps almost to listen to her sing Away in a Manger and O Holy night.

Speaking of Christmas gifts, I've got several to make yet. Several people are getting dishcloths and I'd better get cooking on them. My dad needs a new paper shredder- hoping I can scrape enough money for that. I am supposed to babysit some and get my little cousin off to school later this week- hopefully I will make enough money to finish a tiny bit of Christmas shopping. The money I made today from cleaning house will have to go into our checking account to cover the checks to the vet.

Sorry no patterns lately- maybe soon I can get some more up. I am still here and keeping up- just haven't had time lately to write. Talk to everyone soon!!

Afghans afghans afghans

Is the word around here .... still working on the big one for the baby due at church and trying to finish up several WIP's. The big one is a toddler sized (even though the baby isn't even born yet) in a shell stitch so it is easy to work up just time consuming because it's big.

The rest will be either sent to charities or kept around here for such emergencies and baby showers. I have so much yarn and projects all over the place at the moment it isn't even funny.

I also need to work on some type of set I wanted to include for the baby- not sure what yet but it will need to be something that works up fast. Still thinking there. I've got a huge gift sack and I still dunno if it's gonna hold all of this stuff I've got set aside. Hopefully her aunt or mom can meet me at the car so I don't have to try to lug it all the way in church- it's pretty heavy. Not to mention bulky because of some of the stuff in the bottom of it.

My knitting has kind of got put on hold since I'm still learning and not really able to quickly knit some of the stuff I wanted to make- most of this stuff is crocheted which I can work up quickly or already had made up.

Got a little Christmas shopping done already and making part of my gifts this year. Mom is getting dishcloths for her kitchen along with some other things, maybe my grandmother too since she is so hard to shop for.

OK I'm outta here- still gotta get a shower and get my hair dry before bed. Night all!!

Baby Emergency and Christmas

I have been quite busy the last few days- a tidbit of Christmas shopping here and there (can't spend too much at one time) and working on an afghan and other items for a couple at church who have a baby due in 2 weeks and have nothing for it as of the moment. The Life groups at church are doing a "basket shower" in which each one forms a bag/basket of things for them. Our Sunday School class is donating a crib. The mom is on bedrest until the day before Thanksgiving by then she will be 38 weeks and it will not be too early if she goes into labor then or after. Even though I'm sure they'll get lots, I'm working on an afghan and some other "special" items and heavily raided my baby stash. I didn't have a layette made up for a girl but these two need more than a layette. Before they moved here they had stored stuff from their two other children, household items and winter clothes in a storage shed and it got broken into so they lost everything that was in there.

With most all our church family helping, this baby will be well taken care of I'm sure- we have a quite large and generous congregation. Sometimes I forget that I can't nor do I have to do it all myself. I just hate to see a baby in need of anything. This baby will be a girl, and trouble was I didn't have much girl stuff- mostly boy stuff. So I had to do some serious scrounging in my supplies and the bargain bins at WM and going to Dollar store tomorrow to get some pacifiers and dollar items.

On the other hand, I have been doing some Christmas shopping- got most of Scott's today and a couple other gifts. He is getting mostly Dale Earnhardt stuff for his truck. He's been begging for it for ages since before he got the truck and I keep telling him he isn't getting that junk to put in his nice truck!! LOL He'd been begging for the floor mats, cup holder coasters, air freshener, tire guage and I don't know what all else for ages. I got the last ones Southside Wal-mart had. No place else around here carries that stuff and one WM had already clearanced theirs out. I hate getting him "toys" but that's what he's happiest with. That and DVD's. Wish he'd get something to be more active but it's hard getting him out of that chair a lot of times.

Also got one of my aunt's, some stocking stuffers for my little cousin, and some things I've got to decide if they're for me or for Christmas gifts.

This coming Sunday is also our Thanksgiving Sunday at church where we give extra in the collection plate and/or bring groceries, toiletries etc. to help those less fortunate at Thanksgiving. We aren't rich ourselves but seem to have everything we need so we can always spare some cans or other items we buy but don't eat/use. Sometimes it's good to clean out the cabinets of that stuff too. Found a few stale items to throw away or feed to the birds- most had been opened so they wouldn't have been given anyway.

Well, Angel is meowing at the door and I have a baby blanket to finish or at least work some more on not to mention other items so I'd better get cracking. Night all!!

I'm Knitting!!

Mimi and Bev and all my other knitting friends- you'll be so proud of me!! Believe it or not I finally got the hang of simple knitting!! Now if I can just learn to bind off, increase and decrease, and some other stitches most patterns call for I will be one of those darned knitters as well as a crocheter! I say this as a joke since there is often animosity between knitters and crocheters, each looking down on the other's craft.

The knitting class I was to take was cancelled at the last minute... apparently not everyone got a notification because along with about three other people I showed up anyway, so did one other lady who signed up and another two who were told to show up in case there was room for them. I got there and the lady said "Oh the teacher called in and cancelled all the classes- something came up and she couldn't teach them but she said she spoke with all the ones who signed up." Yeah right. They had two phone numbers and an email for me and I never once got a message or a call- and neither did the other ladies who showed up. The manager wasn't happy with the teacher but all she could do was refund the class fees. I'd have loved gas money refunded- that was tight and I had driven about 25 miles just for the class. Normally I only shop there when I am in the area anyway. I still need some help with some stitches and things though. And I'd love to learn to use double pointed needles for in the round projects.

So I have a couple of baby hats (on simple 2 needles) almost done, now to learn to bind off and finish them up. I'm going to start learning booties next- I have a simple pattern.

Crocheting is still much easier but both take practice for beginners to learn. As a friend of mine once told me about learning to sew, "When you've been doing it as many years as I have then we'll compare a few notes".

Job hunting is at a standstill pretty much right now for both me and Scott... not much out there and everyone has hiring freezes and the like going on. I'd like at least him to find a different job- the money would help but he is miserable where he works now. I hate having to send him every night. Me, I'd like a job for the extra money but that still won't help him any.

Scott is outside at the moment doing the leaves so I guess I should get going and try to make something out of this mound of clean laundry sitting on the table begging for someone to fold and put it up. I hate doing it but it isn't going to do itself.

Wish me luck everyone!!

Hats and mittens

Wow what a busy week! If it hasn't been one thing it's been another. Running around all weekend trying to get stuff done, cleaned Mom's House on Monday, Halloween yesterday. Also checked at Comfort Zone yesterday and sold a desk so had to rearrange part of what was on that desk. That's another $22.50 on my check this month I can definitely use.

Now, in between my many interruptions trying to get this post written, I am doing some preschool hats and mittens to donate. Where I am not sure yet. I am also thinking of doing some teddy bears or something similar for the girls in our New Pathways home. It's a foster care type home, mostly for teens. There's a home for the girls and a home for the boys in McCracken County. Even though it's supposed to be teenagers and up they have one little girl there now who is just 10. They say the teenage girls have all taken to her like a little sister, playing dolls with her and such. Still inspite of ages, all the girls love teddy bears and stuffed animals. Our Sunday School class and some other groups at church fix welcome baskets for the girls when they come in. Many times, especially if they are pulled from a drug or meth lab, they come in with only the clothes on their back and are not allowed to take anything. If they come from a drug house or meth lab, their belongings are considered "contaminated" and must stay in the house. Others come from abusive situations and don't have much or allowed to take much with them to start with. We provide a basket they are handed when they come in that has a towel and washcloth, shampoo, pajamas, a robe, slippers and a few other small comforts. The girls are very appreciative.

I don't know where the hats etc. are going yet... maybe to NIN's stocking program if I have the cash to send a few, maybe to one of our local preschool programs. Many kids don't have the necessities and I'm sure could use them. I sure love donating the things but the trouble is many causes I support, I have to mail items in and that costs money I don't have right now. I'm using Bev's Hat and mitts for preschoolers pattern (sorry don't have the address handy at the moment- http://www.bevscountrycottage.com) and will see if I like the pattern for mittens. They look cute but I usually like one piece patterns and hate sewing up seams or joining pieces like the mitts call for. I'm using a light purple for the first set for a little girl.

OK time to get off here babbling and get some stuff done. Cleaning needs to be done on my own house too but somehow I can't seem to get it done. Gotta see if I can't pay that kitchen and living room floor some attention!!

Warm Up America

I've been crocheting squares (7" X 9" patches) for Warm Up America. That's the size they want so I came up with a pattern that equals 7 X 9.

Worsted Weight yarn
J hook

Note: chain 2 at the beginning of the row counts as a stitch.

Chain 24

Row 1: Dc in each chain from the hook and in each chain across. Ch 2, turn.

Row 2-17: Dc in 2nd stitch and each stitch across. Ch 2, turn.

At the end of row 17, fasten off and weave in ends.

This helped use up some of my spare yarn I wasn't going to use.

I have also been busy making hats and working on a smaller mitten pattern. I'll donate most of them locally, or if money allows, maybe some charities I like. Newborns in Need really needs hats and mittens as well as a few other items for their stocking project where they send stockings to older children as well at Christmas time who will otherwise receive nothing. Many items are needed but hats and mittens they are way behind on.

Since Angel is scratching at the door wanting my company, I'd better go be with her for a while. Talk to everyone later!!

Turning colder....

It's sure turning colder outside. Wanting to start a couple pair of socks for me but short on time at the moment. Scott was off last night for my Birthday, it was nice to spend time with him but took up the time I usually have for "me". Can't crochet much with a man around to clean up after LOL.

I've been crocheting some patches (I hate calling them squares since they aren't really) for Warm Up America. That's one thing I can afford to do since my local Michael's is collecting the squares rather than me having to pay to mail them somewhere. I'm also thinking about taking a knitting class at Michael's next month. I have a little self-taught knitting experience but not very much. Would love for someone to teach me.

As I said, it was my birthday yesterday and we had a very nice dinner at my grandparents (it was also my grandfather's birthday too), Scott surprised me by taking the night off, and I got some birthday money along with some other goodies from my parents and a new Litter maid for the kitties since our old one gave out earlier this month. Mom had been going on all those shopping trips and hadn't brought me back a thing, now I know why!!

Anyway, I'm about to go back to crocheting- Dateline should be on in a few minutes. I may work on a scarf pattern if I can find the extra time to work it up!!

What's Next, Lord?

So many things have happened this month, one after the other in our house that just about anyone else would have given up. I am too tough for that. I have lost the humor sense about it I had a while back, it has ceased to be funny even after the fact, but so far I've kept a certain peace about "unlucky" things happening.

Today wasn't entirely bad- did some crocheting and loom knitting, went to Paducah to get Scott a haircut and had a really nice visit with my hairdresser (who's also a friend) and her mom, Went out to eat with my parents, walked in the mall which we hadn't done forever- no money to spend anyway. Came back and played a few games of Rummikub with my mom and now Scott's at the depot checking trucks and the cats are in the den for the moment. So I have a few moments to myself to reflect.

Two things expected were "delivered on our door" today- 1) Scott didn't get his extra vacation pay this week as he was supposed to. Typical. You can't beat anything out of a braying jackass, aka Scott's hateful, terribly abusive supervisor who can't seem to either get anything right or allow anyone to be happy for a single moment.

2)Since we didn't get the extra money we were supposed to, we have 2 insurance payments that are now late. Oh well it won't hurt a few days but it really irks me to have a bill late, especially for such a stupid reason.

Then the unexpected- Scott was wiping off his glasses tonight before going to check trucks and the frames broke. This is like the third or fourth pair he's had to break. And the wonderful part- the insurance only pays for one pair of glasses or a few boxes of contacts per year. And he just refilled his contacts a few months ago. 'Nuff said.... we'll have to pay for the glasses or repair unless we can find suitable used frames somewhere he can switch the lenses into.

So right now just pray that I keep this peace I have at the moment with everything life is throwing my way. It isn't all bad and of course it could be much much worse (Though I'm not wishing!!!!). Though I have my struggling moments, I have to remember that somehow it will all turn out alright in the end and it isn't the end of the world. With the Lord's help I can get through anything.

Instead of Why me, Lord?, I've learned to ask "What's next Lord?". As in "What are we going through together next?".

Rain Rain go away....

Come again a warmer day!!

Coldest day of the year so far... not that it will be the coldest but cold enough. And wet all day to boot. High of only 44-49 depending on where in the area you talk to. Rainy days are gloomy enough without the cold! Been working on an outfit pattern- this one is a simple one to make and donate so babies will have a warm outfit at least to go home from the hospital in, and 0-3mos size so they will have a warm outfit for a while anyway. So many little ones have nothing... not just enough... nothing. Hoping later for a fancified (I guess that's a word?? My word anyway.) version to submit to a publisher. Gotta figure on what else to do.

Got some clothes to set out in the morning for a lady coming to get them... I do love Freecycle. Get rid of what I don't need, someone else can use it, and have found quite a few things on there I do need. My living room is starting to get cleaned out :o) Now if only I could play Samantha the witch and wiggle my nose for my computer/craft room.....

Since winter is coming on fast and I've got so much yarn it's all over the place (and I've already gotten rid of a bunch that isn't exactly baby oriented) I've been doubling a lot of yarns to make warmer garments.

Debating on making some crocheted socks for myself- they're much warmer but we'll see. I want to get this outfit done and something for at least one of the deadlines done, then there's my little extras I do just about every day... booties, hats, t-shirts....

OK off now to hopefully crochet a bit more and see what my hubby is up to in the den!! Not to mention the furry brats!!

Marla
The Nursery

Just Checking In

Not much to blog about tonight, just finished a couple dishcloths for my mom for a Christmas present and working on another baby pattern- hopefully one to submit to a publisher. Wish me luck!!

Brrr.... in the 50's today and already it seems like freezing!! Reminds me to get to work on some more warm goodies!! Scott's so hot natured, he's about to freeze me out of here!

Gotta run... got a baby project or two to work on!! Not to mention a living room or two to clean up!!

Marla

Warm outfits

Since it's turning much colder in most parts of the US (SNOW in some places!!!) I've been busy making little sweaters, gowns and outfits. Hard to believe they are letting babies go home from the hospital in nothing but a diaper and blanket often because they have nothing else. When I had my chapter here of Newborns in Need, we'd get a call and find that most of the time not only did a baby not have enough- it had nothing or almost nothing. I've not spent any extra money lately with money being so tight- I have plenty of yarn, now if I can just come up with the gas money or postage money to send this stuff off. I know it will be distributed different places where it is needed.

Gotta run for now- see if I can't make some extra $$ to catch up on some of these darned bills.

Brrrrr

It's downright chilly out there today!!! The high was only 51 today, and supposed to be in the 30's tonight. Seems like Winter is just around the corner, though we already think we are freezing to death.

I've been busy last few days as we took a large water softener unit out of the house (pain the butt thing that his grandma/dad put in several years ago- I still think it was the cause of the $1100 water bill before we bought the house), and everything went fine til we turned the water back on.... water pressure everywhere but the kitchen faucet. So we got to investigating, and it seems trash or some kind of deposit washed through and clogged up the faucet. That was replaced today.

The water softener was offered on Freecycle and picked up yesterday. The lady who came to get it brought me a sack of jalapeno peppers I thought Scott would eat but he decided he didn't want them unless they were cooked in something so they went to my grandfather who likes the things whole/raw. Yuck if you ask me... LOL but he likes them. Waiting to see how he liked them.

Had several crochet projects on the hooks so to speak too as I'm designing some new patterns hopefully to try to submit to one of the publishers or magazines, I haven't decided which yet. I've also been working on some gifts.... Christmas is coming up and one thing my mom is getting is some new dishcloths. Whether she wants them or not LOL. She never reads anything like my blog so I'm pretty safe I think.

Also there's still quite a few more babies due at church (Always a few due but never like this... I think we counted 11 that have been or will be born between Sept. and February. Two this week alone were born. One I had already sent a gift to her shower and the other was kind of a surprise... I didn't know she was due so quick. Her mom and grandma both sent nice things to my shower so I kind of felt obligated to stick a few things in a sack even though I didn't know her well. Two more are on bedrest awaiting their babies in Dec. and January I think. And another Shower is planned for the end of this month for yet another. Thank goodness Yarn is one thing I have plenty of!!!!

Also as I mentioned, trying to make quite a few of my Christmas gifts this year as $$ is going to be kind of tight. I already know a few small things sewing and crochet related will be going to my MIL for Christmas- she enjoys that kind of thing. She may get some dishcloths and things too as will my mom. Maybe my grandmother too- she's 87, almost blind and has everything she would ever want or need so she is impossible to shop for.

The pattern I'm using for my dishcloths is simple:

H hook (sorry I forgot to put this earlier)
Chain 28

Hdc in 3rd chain from hook and each chain across. Ch 2, turn. (Ch 2 does NOT count as a stitch.

Repeat for 28 rows.

I use anything from soft worsted weight (I know- acrylic is supposed to be forbidden but I like it just as well if not better than cotton. One of my favorite dishcloths is made from a mismatched or funky dye lot skein of plain old red heart) to simply soft to sugar n cream. Depends on texture, pattern, and color as to which I use for which dishcloth.

Gotta run for now- time to get Scott ready for work then work on some more projects! Until next time!

Marla

Murphy's law week

I had to post a little humor for you..... This week hasn't been funny while it was happening but when you look back on it... you have to laugh.

This has been what I call Murphy's law week... whatever could go wrong- did.

1) We've had about 6 bills due this month. All in the same 2 weeks or so. All in the $300 dollar range. EACH. Well, except for the insurances- they were about $300 combined.

2) We found out the company my husband has been trying so hard to get a job with supposedly isn't hiring anymore til after the first of the year.

3)The Litter Maid (automatic kitty box) died. No money to replace that and with 5 cats... you get the picture.

4)My MIL's car died this past week and the car she traded for is having problems starting. The dealership takes forever to get down here to fix it. Typical. So we had to go get her two different times when the car wouldn't start.

5)We took a large water softener unit out that cost his mom $1100 in the form of a nice water bill after his grandma died - we certainly don't need one of those - and got everything back in order... except now the kitchen faucet is stopped up. So that has to be cleaned out or replaced whichever is feasible.

6)Both kinds of Scott's insulin had to be replenished at the same time (They never run out at the same time- but they did this time) to the tune of $160 for both.

7)I still haven't heard back from my job interview. Maybe I'm not patient enough.

8)Scott's truck key disappeared off his ring. Took 6 tries to get a copy that would work.


All this stuff isn't funny.... what's funny is you keep waiting for the punch line in the joke. And you have to wonder who the joker is sitting there laughing at you. What's funny is you stress about things like this when they always have a way of getting taken care of somehow. What's funny is thinking "OK what kind of catch is there to all this mess?"

What's funny is.... everything always works out. Prayers always get answered.

1)Somehow we've managed to come up with the money for all the bills that are due now. One was paid for us... the rest we managed to work for the money for. And we don't spend a lot... a few groceries, some gas and other necessities.

2)Scott filled out some papers with some agency today that promises to get him in to a training course and therefore hired at one of two companies he's looked at. I'm not holding my breath but we'll see.

3)Litter Maid will become a stationary kitty box until such time later this month as I've been promised some money for my birthday. That's one thing it will definitely go for. Again, it's not a necessity but boy it's sure a luxury with 5 cats!!

4)They put a battery on my MIL's car late today. Hopefully (I'm praying) that's the end of the problem. Cause as long as she has a problem, we have one. I don't mind at all helping out but we have enough going on to deal with right now. We'll always help out one way or the other but this is the dealer's mistake to take care of- make him take care of it.

5)Scott got some extra vacation pay coming to help catch up from the insulin, bills and other hardships. It won't solve everything but will help.

6) We finally have 2 working truck keys again. YAY!!!!!!


You have to be confident it'll all work out somehow or you'll wind up going nuts. That's the comical part.... you wind up stressing over all this stuff then when it all works out it seems like you stressed over nothing.

Yarn Yarn everywhere!!

I've been following the Stash-busting trend lately.... the phase where your stash of yarn gets so big you simply have to use most of it/get rid of it and here's the important part.... NOT BUY MORE til most if not all of it is gone. Of course among us yarn addicts it will never ALL be gone. Either way I'm using as much as I can and trying to see if there's any more "adult" yarn I can give to the lady who makes things for the nursing homes here. Yarn Yarn everywhere!!

Most of what I've been working on is baby things... a teardrop granny afghan I may rip out if it doesn't straighten up... it wants to be a "butterfly" meaning the corners are turning out larger than the sides. Also some more little t-shirts and things I'll send to babies in need. Enough crocheting for now, my hands are sore! And it's bath time!

I've also got a job interview tomorrow- nothing big, just our local Sam's club but it would be a little extra money coming in. Wish me luck!! Scott's also trying to find something different so I've been having to leave the phone lines open during the day for that.

Well, Angel is waiting for me in the next room so I'd better go keep her company so she doesn't get lonely!!

Baby shirts and stash busters

I've been making baby shirts up a storm, just have to get some bottoms made. Made a kind of short gown today..... ran out of yarn so it is a bit shorter than I intended but I think long enough to cover a diaper. The weather isn't that cold yet so hopefully it will work. Also a few long sleeved shirts. Will get a picture up to go with that pattern soon! I did the first one in a "magic cake" of red and white yarn and the striping pattern looks like I changed colors on purpose. It turned out just darling!!

It seems as though everyone is stash busting.... trying to use their excess stash before buying more yarn. Including ME!! My craft room is full, I have so much yarn all over the house it isn't even funny. That's not to mention what's stored away in my blazer.... back seat, sacks in the floorboard.... it's not a pretty sight.

I've been doubling some yarn, using larger needles and hooks, trying to use solid patterns that require quite a bit of yarn... and found some patterns specifically for stash busting. Here's a few links:

Stash busting vest
Flower Hair clip
Easy Poncho
Preemie Blankie

Easy Square Lapghan

Stash busting afghan


And then of course there's always Bev's Country Cottage site with all her tons of links and patterns, and The Nursery full of baby patterns. As well as a few other patterns that can be found at the My Own Patterns link to your right. My Ripple Afghan is a good stash buster... plenty big so uses plenty of yarn.

Well, I'm about done on the net for the night.... going to go in the other room with Angel and bust some more of that stash!! Got some baby outfits and such to finish!!

Marla
The Nursery

Bears, t-shirts and more

I finally got all my bears done Saturday night... took me much longer than I thought since my sewing machine hadn't been touched since I moved a year and a half ago. In between that and wrestling with Scott to keep his sugar checked I got in bed much later than I wanted. Seems like that's always the way. I love him but he procrastinates so much on everything. He's in there taking a nap now before he has to go to work. He did go out to see about some other jobs today.

The bears I am doing is a church project and they go to the local hospitals, a few Dr's offices, ambulance service, same day surgery centers, redicare (walk-in care center) and the like. I am a seamstress... there are about 15 teams of painters (to paint faces and a red heart), seamstresses, and stuffers. Then there are always extra requests. Sometimes some extras go to the nursing homes as well to keep the older folks company. There's a description of some of the projects of our church and Sisters in Christ Sunday School class on my Gifts of Love page.

I've been working on some baby t-shirts. My pattern is really simple and much like my diaper shirt pattern. I haven't had time to post it on my website last few days like I've been promising but here it is... no picture at the moment.

Use a G hook and regular baby weight or baby sport yarn. In winter, use worsted weight and long sleeve version.

Special Stitches Used: Shell= (dc, ch1, dc) in indicated stitch.

PREEMIE: Chain 39
NEWBORN: Chain 44

Being careful not to twist chain, join with a slip stitch.


Row 1: Chain 2. (Counts as first stitch) DC in the next 4 (5)st. Shell in next st, dc in next 7(8) st, shell in next st, dc in next 11(12) st, shell in next st, dc in next 7(8) st, shell in next st, dc in last 5(6) st. Join with a slip stitch to beginning chain 2.


Rows 2-5: Ch 2. Dc to ch-1 sp, shell in ch-1 sp, Dc across to next ch-1 sp, shell in ch-1 sp, dc across to next ch-1 sp, shell in ch-1 sp, dc across to next ch-1 sp shell in ch-1 sp, dc in remaining sp. Join with a slip stitch to beginning chain.


Row 6: Ch 2. Dc to first ch-1 sp, fold garment in HALF horizontally and connect first and second ch-1 spaces with a dc. Dc around one side to next ch-1 sp, connect 3rd and 4th ch-1 spaces with a dc. Dc around to end. Join with a slip stitch to beginning chain.

Rows 7-11: Ch 2, turn. DC in each DC around. Join with a slip stitch to beginning chain.

FOR NEWBORN SIZE ONLY:
Row 12-13:Ch 2, turn. DC in each DC around. Join with a slip stitch to beginning chain.

If desired you may add long sleeves for winter:

Sleeves:
Join yarn in any DC of armhole.
Chain 2, Dc in each Dc around. Join with a slip stitch to first ch 2.
Repeat until sleeves are 7" long from shoulder. (They may be turned up if too long). This usually takes me about 7 rounds from joining.


Be sure to send some of these to your local hospital or charity to keep a baby warm this winter!!



Optional: Work one round of Sc or Dc around entire edge for trim and around each armhole. Coordinating colors for trim look great!

THIS PATTERN COPYRIGHT 2006 MARLA CANEER POTTER AND IS NOT TO BE SOLD, NOR IS THE GARMENT MADE FROM IT TO BE SOLD. THE PATTERN IS FREE TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO USE IT FOR PERSONAL USE OR CHARITY USE. IF YOU'D LIKE TO LINK THIS PATTERN OR THE NURSERY TO YOUR SITES, PLEASE FEEL WELCOME TO DO SO. YOU MAY COPY OR PASS IT ALONG AS MANY TIMES AS YOU LIKE FOR PERSONAL/CHARITY USE. IF YOU MAKE ONE FOR PERSONAL USE OR AS A GIFT, PLEASE MAKE AN EXTRA ONE AND DONATE TO NEWBORNS IN NEED.


Marla
The Nursery

Bears and a nap!!

Soon as I get some bears done for church (I have to have them tomorrow) it's time for a nap!! I've gotten a lot done in the house last few days, though you can't tell it, and I'm about exhausted.

Got 15 bears to sew up for church tonight, sew tags on, and not sure I'm up to it. Sniffling at the moment- was over at my MIL's a few minutes ago and the dogs had had a bath, and smelled great but I think I must have been allergic to the scent of the shampoo cause Im sniffling like heck now.

Still working on those patterns.... I'm about worn out after a Goodman reunion (a family my dad grew up with- good friends of ours) today and was supposed to have my aunt and uncle in tonight but they decided to wait til tomorrow. Better do my relaxing tonight.

Will post more later!! Better run before these bears don't get done!!

Marla

Catching up on crochet

Well, I intended to post last night but conked out somewhere around 12 after "just sitting down for a bit". Didn't get any crocheting done either. Hmmph. Hate when that happens.

I have a couple or three patterns I need to get posted on my blog/website. One is the actual writing for a baby t-shirt (or pullover sweater in the winter) I've done lots of but never actually wrote down. It's more or less my diaper shirt pattern with rounds joined. The others are surprises I haven't got worked out yet or will announce when I get them written.

There's tons of babies due at church this winter. I'm usually into making gifts but more bought gifts or just small home made gifts are popping up lately- most of my efforts are going to charity or projects where people want to pay me to crochet them something every once in a while.

I've been working on a few little items to send to Bev for her Crafting Angels project and some other projects I'm not sure what I'll do with yet. Most likely charity.

Bev has quite a few charity projects listed on her site and her blog. There is a charity project to warm children in Mongolia so they can attend school which is spreading around the net. It sounds great- check it out, I just haven't yet. I'm devoting my own efforts to helping people from the U.S., especially the babies, even though overseas charities are great. I just can't do them all.

Which brings me to another project for the near future... posting a list of addresses of Hospitals and other places that badly need items for babies and families that have nothing else. I can't imagine. There's times when finances are tight around here, sometimes bills have to wait or we have to cut back on the non-necessities but I have a nice warm/cool house, plenty (too many) clothes on my back, plenty of food to eat... I may complain about finances once in a while but I can't imagine doing without. That's exactly what many families have to do. Take the baby home from the hospital in just a diaper, or wrap it in an old jacket instead of a warm blanket.

Which reminds me to quit jabbering and back to crocheting!!

Marla
The Nursery

Coming April 1, 2007- Clean air

I'm looking forward to April 1- CLEAN AIR!! Last night the Paducah City Commission passed a ban on smoking in all public places except tobacco stores, warehouses, and private clubs that don't admit non-members. This includes Restaurants, truck stops and bars which at one time there was talk of excluding some or all of them. This will be a blanket ban affecting everyone and will be strictly enforced- fines on businesses for the first three offenses of not enforcing the ban up to $250 the third time, the fourth time their business license can be suspended or revoked. The city tried for the last year to encourage restaurants to do this on their own, or find other solutions to remove smoke but very few did so the result was a total ban.

Now, I mean no disrespect to smokers and acknowledge their right to smoke- as long as they aren't hurting someone else which is pretty hard to do when smoking in a public place. I have friends who smoke; I don't ask them not to smoke in their house or car, and they are respectful enough not to smoke in mine. To those the idea of a smoking ban offends, I apologize, I just wish everyone was as mindful of their own health as well as the health of others. Especially those like me with breathing problems- a simple whiff of smoke can cause major problems!

So coming April 1, 2007 I will be looking forward to much cleaner air when I go out to eat in Paducah. Hopefully McCracken County will be next, then Marshall County but Marshall is so "Redneck" or rebellious in general I doubt it will do so unless somehow forced. Paducah passed the ordinance last night but decided to give businesses 6 months to prepare for the idea of having to ask people to put out their cigarettes. No more having to ask to be seated as far away from the smoking section as possible, or eating in a crowded restaurant on Saturday night, only to be seated in the only table we can get next to the smoking section.

On a funnier note- the last time we went on vacation in Florida, we went in an Olive Garden Restaurant and asked for a table in the non smoking section only to be met with a strange look from the hostess... "We don't allow smoking in this state" was the answer we got.... and a look like "What, are you guys from Mars?? DUH!!"

Of course We'll still be in the Non-smoking area until April 1, but come April 1, I'll be looking soooo forward to enjoying a good meal without smoke floating over from the smoking section!! NOW- if we could just get Cracker Barrel to do something about that danged air conditioner they run winter and summer!!! Yes, even in the snow!!

Crafting Angels

Bev of Bev's Country Cottage let me know that the link to her Crafting Angels group on the last post wasn't working right. I fixed it there but thought I'd post it here as well:

Crafting Angels

Bev could use your donations for her group! Look on the page for more info on what is needed.

On a different note, the weather is cooling off just about everywhere- don't forget to make those warm items for charity before it turns absolutely cold!!! Bev has a blogscarf pattern posted on her blog only.... sounds neat and will keep someone warm!!


Time to go find supper. Gotta look up a recipe... hoping to make Taco soup sometime this week if I have everything. Will try to post the recipe later- pretty easy and great stuff!!

Marla
The Nursery

Crocheting in Peace

One first note.... If you visit, or like a pattern or comment, can you please leave me a comment? I really enjoy hearing from people who visit my blog and website. And I do have a site tracker on here so I know I'm getting readers, just no comments. I'd love to hear from you. Please?

Crocheting in Peace.... just what I needed after a stressful day and evening. Finished a little diaper shirt to send to Crafting Angels, now to make a little hat and booties to go with it. This one is solid red but I may make some multicolored later. They're wanting Christmas things already so trying to use Christmas colors. The diaper shirt pattern is mine and the hat and booties are from Bev's Country Cottage.

Still hoping and praying for Scott to find another job.... any job. If you've ever been in a bad workplace, you can sympathize I'm sure. He gets treated so terribly at his job now, and yet he is so devoted and such a hard worker; he deserves so much better. He does the job of about 4 people, why should they hire him any help? He wants on at the coal terminal so bad he can taste it but would take anything with decent pay/insurance. Just anything to get away from Schwan's. He is almost unbearable at time to go to work, I know he hates having to get up and go.

Angel is waiting for me in the other room so I'd better get in there and keep her company and enjoy hers for a while. Gotta get working on that little set too so I can get some done.

Breakfast call will come early, probably about 8am. How I hate those early mornings!! Hard choice anymore, breakfast with my parents or sleeping in (which I desperately need the sleep most of the time).

One last crochet note, the pair of tennis shoes you saw on my blog went to a girl at church Sunday for her baby shower. I had grown up with the dad and hadn't seen him in years but knew his mom and dad- his dad is one of our state representatives and an elder at church so I almost had to go. I had a little basket with the shoes, a dollar package of teethers and pacifiers, and a little bib and burp cloth I had crocheted in it. The mom and Grandma to be (her mother in law) had a fit over the crocheted bib and burp cloth, but I thought they were going to fight over the shoes taking them out of the basket- they absolutely adored them! This baby is going to be a girl but next boy that comes up, I must make a mental note to do a pair of those in Primary colors with a little outfit.... bet it'd be adorable!!

Marla
The Nursery

Mission Organization.... yeah right!!

Hi all,

sorry no blog entries over the weekend- much cleaning and organization always to be done around here and afraid we didn't get very far. The kitchen table is cleaned off, laundry put up but that's about as far as we got.

Sunday was church, a baby shower, then a long nap followed by being up most of the night Sun night. I did manage to get a little crochet work done on a diaper shirt- I'm trying to make some for Crafting Angels, Bev Qualheim's group. I don't have the link at the moment but you can find it on Bev's Country Cottage, just look for Crafting Angels link.

Today I've been trying to organize the living room some and get some of the junk out of it and put where it's supposed to be.

On that note, better take off and get back to work!!

Later all!!

Marla
The Nursery

You know you live in Redneck Country.....

When people hang their wash out on the front porch!!!

If you know exactly what kind of clothes your neighbor wears just from driving by and seeing it hanging on the porch... You've got a redneck neighbor!! Now, before I get into this one.... if you're laughing.... it probably means you're GUILTY of this or know someone who is!!!

And Yes, we have Redneck neighbors. Forget the fact that I married one that's half Redneck. It comes from his daddy's side. His Daddy's family were Livingston County people, we live in Marshall. 'Nuff said. At least I keep him a little on the straight side. Or try anyway... He does fit the Jeff Foxworthy phrase I forgot- something about "If you've got more hats....." And he actually does have one that says "Joe's Barber Shop" after the little one room barber shop up the road.

We have the kind of neighbors that fit the phrase "If you ever cut your grass and found a car.... You might be a Redneck". If we're lucky maybe they cut their grass once a month. Otherwise it's once every six weeks to two months. And we're supposed to live in the city limits. No, it isn't because they don't have lawn mowers or can't afford the gas. I guess they just like the jungle appearance that hides their house. And Cars. And the dog. And the kids' toys.

Oh and the one about "If passersby comment on your garage sale, but you aren't having one..... You might be a redneck"- that one fits too. Old TV's in the front yard, tons of junk, coolers, grills that may or may not work... That's just our neighbor next house down the street.

You can tell we have some great neighbors up here.... probably best one we got is my MIL and she still fits the one about "If you've got more dogs than you do kids....". She's got 9 dogs. Shelties. And possibly more on the way. They've been trying to breed a couple of theirs but won't know for a while if it worked or not. Guess 9 dogs isn't enough!!

OK I hear more storms rumbling. Great- more rain to make the Redneck neighbors' grass grow. I better run for now...

Marla
Gifts of Love

Let there be rain....

Hi Everyone,

looks like we just about need Mr. Noah to come back here and build us an ark. Dunno about here in Calvert City but in Paducah about 10 miles away at my dad's there's been 3 inches of rain since midnight last night. Everything is saturated, lots of streets in Paducah and Benton are flooded, a tornado in Livingston County and all up through nearby Southern IL- there was one there too. It's been all over MO too- hopefully everyone I know in MO is OK. They've been getting it pretty solid. Luckily we've just mostly had rain here in my area. LOTS of rain.

Scott and I have been working tonight on that MOUND of clean laundry on the kitchen table to be folded and put away. Such a never-ending task!! I need a full time housekeeper just to keep up with the laundry I think. Got most of it put away, hung up, etc. and sorted a few more things out that need to go to church, goodwill, etc. Now for a little relaxation!!!

In case you haven't already, please check out the link at your right under Charities to my Gifts of Love page. The page has been up for quite some time but I recently realized that I didn't have a link to it on here. It's just a list of local charity happenings I'm involved in and how you can help if you like. If you see something you can and would like to help with, please do email me. All of them are very worthy causes I often don't have the funds to support all the time but usually find other ways to help and/or donate my time. I've also done some updating of the page the last couple of days to include some things that didn't get on there last time I updated.

Well I'm off to crochet something! Thinking about doing some slipper socks maybe or some nice project for the New Pathways girls for Christmas. We'll see.

Marla
The Nursery
Gifts of Love

Around the world

Hi Everyone,

I added a new tool to my blog and web pages- a counter and tracker from sitemeter.com. It was free and I'm having a blast with it. It tracks the number of visitors to your site, their IP (although I have no idea who you are), location, what pages they visited, and where they went from there. Like I said although I have no idea who's from San Fransisco or Nova Scotia or New Zealand, or New York City it is so cool to see the variety of people from so many places that hit my website every day.

I hope each of you find what you are looking for on my website, and please be assured there's more to come. Much more. I do wish a few more people would leave comments so I can get some opinions. If you stop by my blog or pages, please leave me a note and let me know what you think and how you liked my pages.

So after playing with the computer for the last couple of hours, I'm off to try to find my hole punch (I keep losing the darned things) so I can make a gift tag for a basket of baby odds and ends for a shower Sunday.

Marla
The Nursery

Green beans and tea....

That's what I'm having at the moment. Strange combination, I know but it's really good- hadn't had green beans in a while and wanted something other than water or diet Pepsi to drink. Made for a good evening snack.

I'm about to go watch the news- a Semi truck turned over near the mall just after Scott was through there. Thank goodness he was well home by the time it happened. Nobody really hurt but blocked all 4 westbound lanes... what a mess!

The tennis shoes are now on their own page- got the pattern proofed and the pair is sitting in the basket of things I'm making up to go to a baby shower this weekend. Not really anyone I know that well, or haven't seen the dad since childhood but it's one of those things you're expected to go to. Granddaddy is one of our state representatives and an elder at church so I guess everyone thinks they have to go. I'd rather take care of the babies that won't have a shower, and won't be adequately provided for. I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever have one of my own between mine and Scott's diabetes, and our current financial situation. Maybe one day if I hope and pray.

More after the news......

Well I'm back- supposed to get to 45 here tonight. Brrrr pretty cool compared to what we have had. They said a low of 48 last night but I had 42 on my sattelite thermometer. The house got down to 71 which I had the heat set on 71 so it wouldn't get any colder that that but the heat wouldn't kick on much either. 71 is still pretty cool.... I'm used to keeping the house at 75 or so.

I'm planning tonight after I get off here to work on another pattern. What is it? Not saying yet but it's one that's badly needed in terms of infant clothes. There's one or two of these patterns out there but nothing that suits me and a quite common piece of a baby's wardrobe, especially in the cooler weather. Been wanting to do this pattern for a while. I'm not sure if I like the way it's turning out, may revise, we'll see.

OK I'm gone at least for now. A cup of hot coffee or cocoa sounds good... dunno if I can get the energy up to go fix any though!!

Marla
The Nursery

Goodwill/Recycling day tomorrow

Well not even one email on the sack of ladies' clothes, sacks of other household items or the bed pads I offered on Freecycle so tomorrow is Goodwill day. Also will be taking a huge mound of cans to the recycler to be cashed in. Or at least ASAP. They're all seriously getting in the way. Maybe get something out of the cans and get some more stuff out of the way. Lord knows about the neverending pile of junk around here. Soon as I get rid of this, some more will pop up. Guaranteed.

I would have thought maybe at least someone would have wanted the Ladies' clothes- they aren't new but they're still good. And people are always asking for medical stuff on Freecycle- I woulda figured someone with an invalid at home would want the bed pads- those things are expensive to buy.

Mom says she's driving to get her hair done tomorrow... she hasn't driven in 2-3 years. Just pray she doesn't get herself killed in the process. I just know I'm not riding with her and I don't want to watch.

Started today on an afghan for myself but will probably be an on again- off again project as I always have more important irons in the fire. Picked out a Bubble (not really a shell) pattern out of some bright teal (the old teal color) I had in Red Heart and will probably edge it with Red Heart Kids Hot Pink.

Right now, more important things to crochet most of the time- in another month NIN will be screaming for baby quilts, afghans etc. Hopefully by then I'll have the gas $$ to take another load up to them. Last time they paid for my gas but I don't know how many times they can do that.

I also want to finish a scrap afghan that I started that turned out really pretty that will go to either a dear friend who is taking Chemo for cancer or my 98 year old aunt. Either way it'll be a Christmas present, and a nice one for either.

We're hoping and praying Scott gets called this time for a job at the coal terminal in the next county. Or one of them I should say. We were told from the inside that he had the job last hiring round except one guy messed some things up and caused them to stop the hiring process. Hence they started all over hiring people and we are back to square one. The only sure hope is prayer. We just want him away from Schwan's, he's being treated terribly there. And he works so hard for them- it's pitiful. Please pray with us.... it's miserable for both of us with him being in such a bad work environment.

Last but not least, I have to say thank the Lord- Baby Abby Woods, the now 11 day old baby who was kidnapped 5 days ago in MO was found alive and well this afternoon and is back with her family!! God truly does work miracles.

I'm gone for now... please pray for me and Scott, and all the ones you know who need an extra prayer.

Laundry and a Do-Over

Tonight I've been tackling the constant mounds of laundry that seem to fill the kitchen table, bedroom, bathroom.... not necessarily in that order. Seems soon as I get a bunch done there's a bunch dirty again. Between my sleep clothes, every day clothes, Scott's every day clothes, work clothes and those stupid jogging shorts he wears around the house (Did I mention how much I hate the things and he has about 6 or 8 pair of them???) and not to mention enough socks to outfit the US Army, the laundry's never caught up. And that goes for MY socks and HIS. I have tons but he has tons on top of tons. And that's AFTER I went through a while ago and trashed/Goodwilled the ones that even looked the slightest bit thin or holey or.... you get the picture.

Luckily I did manage to slip one more pair that were pretty worn and one pair of underwear with a large hole in it in the garbage. I swear the boy (and I use the term loosely) would go around in rags if I let him. Forget using old socks, underwear, etc. as rags- he puts it back in the drawer. I have to cut them apart and put them in the trash. I have enough old dishrags/washrags to use for cleaning rags anyway. Found a couple of my t-shirts that were badly stained or worn to get rid of too. Every little bit helps. Goodness, it isn't as if we don't have clothes around here. But that husband of mine saves every stitch he ever had.

Help yourself to the pattern I posted last night for toddler mittens. However, I've decided they don't look quite right and need something different done to them and I won't be posting them to my website til I have them right. I'm just not sure what I want to do to them. So for now we'll call them a Do-over.

I swear it'll take me forever to go through the mounds of yarn I have on hand now, that's not to mention any I'll buy in the future. I did go through a while ago and get rid of a bunch that couldn't be used for kids/babies etc. A lady took it who makes things for one of the local nursing homes here so I know it went to a good cause I just don't have the time/cash to support.

Gotta run for now- Jeans in the dryer should be dry by now and 8am will come early in the morning when my dad calls for breakfast. Later all!!

Marla
The Nursery

Finally- some crochet!!

I found some scrap balls of yarn and got to pondering what I could do with them other than toss them in the scrap bin that is usually reserved for scraps that aren't large enough for anything else.

Here's what I came up with... Toddler size mittens!! These are really easy!!


















Here's the pattern:


H hook- 6-12mos
I hook- 12-18mos

Worsted Weight yarn- I used Red Heart Kids

Chain 2

Row 1: 9 DC in 2nd chain, join with a slip stitch.

Row 2: Chain 2, turn. *Dc in same space, 2 Dc in next space. Repeat from * around. Join.

Row 3-6: Chain 2, Dc in each stitch around. Join.

Row 7: Ch 1, Sc in each stitch around. Join.

Row 8: Ch 1, slip stitch in next stitch, Sc in next 6 stitches, Sc next 2 sc together, Sc in remaining Sc around.

If desired, finish off and join a coordinating color in any stitch for the cuff.

Cuff:

Chain 2, 2 Dc in each stitch around. Finish off.

Optional: you may want to crochet a long tie and join the mittens together so they don't get lost and/or may be threaded through a coat.

Now I'm beat so I'm hitting the sack soon as I check on Scott. Will get that picture up tomorrow!!

Oh one more note- gas is down to $2.10 at Sam's today.... hopefully will be down even more tomorrow. They're dropping the price just about every day.

Marla
The Nursery

More cleaning out... it's hopeless

This is quickly turning into a lost cause, hopeless case, whatever you want to call it. Seems as if I clear one pile of stuff out, another one appears or more stuff comes in than I know what to do with.

Anyone have any organization suggestions besides getting rid of my husband and the rest of the junk and starting over again?? Got a ton more stuff that should be freecycled or taken to goodwill but it's stuff we'd need tomorrow if we did.

HELP!!! LOL I'm lost in a mountain of stuff!!! No crocheting or such today.... got to do something with all this stuff.

Marla

Just a quick note

Just a quick note before I hit the sack in a bit. Ran around most of today and got some gas in the truck with the little cash I had. It's coming down but still not enough- cheapest here is $2.18 a gal. Better but like I said not cheap enough.

Got a little crocheting done while at my parents' earlier- that granny square blanket I been fussing about and doubt I'll get anymore done tonight.

Gotta get a few baskets together to take to church in the morning, so I'm outta here for now. Night all!!

Marla
The Nursery

Eggs and cat food

Well was gonna post but for now gotta run- we're outta eggs and cat food. Good combination I know that has nothing to do with everything else. Aldi's has the eggs on sale for 49 cents a dozen so need to stock up. Actually the cats have canned food but their majesties want dry as well. Spoiled brats.

Be back later- more to come then!!

Cleaning like mad

So goes the neverending job of cleaning up, cleaning out, thinning out!!

Only home a few hours today and so far I've:

*cleaned out and shredded old tax returns of Scott's from as far back as 1988, keeping a few of the most recent ones to file away. The boy NEVER throws even a scrap of paper away!! Old junk envelopes, advertisements, you name it! It all winds up laying around the house with everything else!!

*Vacuumed the bedroom from top to bottom.... Literally after discovering one of my nightmarish 8-legged creatures hanging from a web over the bed. Quite a large one too. GREAT... now I'll probably have nightmares or wind up sleeping with the light on or something. Poor Scott's gonna have to suffer. Oh well bedroom needed a good vacuuming anyway.

*Gone thru some more clothes to freecycle... found a few things that were worn, couldn't wear, etc. And some more I never found a place for since I moved!!!

*Done 2 loads of laundry.... now if I can just get Scott to fold most of it for me... maybe. Depends on the mood he's in... Git R Dun or Leave me alone.

*Cleaned up some scraps of yarn and stored away for magic balls or kitty blankets later. It's small scraps that wouldn't even look good for a baby project when tied together. Kitties will enjoy it in the form of a blankie this winter.

*Oh and I do have to give Scott Credit... he did finally get the ceiling fan in the hall, ceiling and top of baseboards cleaned off like I asked him. At least I got him to help with that.

Bad news is... haven't done a speck of crocheting today. Got plenty of new or different or newfound yarn to work with too. Prob gonna be too tired to tackle any before bedtime. And wakeup call for breakfast with my parents will come about 8am. Sure, I could sleep in... but then I miss breakfast!!! Breakfast at Cracker Barrel almost makes for having to crawl out of the sack so darn early.

It's a neverending job trying to clean out and organize, especially in this house- thank God for trash collection twice a week and FREECYCLE!!!

My goal for tomorrow: finish up that scrap yarn skein I'm crocheting into a granny square. Then I'll either finish it off for a preemie blankie or add another color and keep going. Who knows yet.

Well as much as I like writing here, the bed is still full of stuff and if we want a place to sleep tonight I better go get it cleaned off. TTFN!!!

Marla
The Nursery

Brand new from the Shoe Factory!!!

My latest creation, 0-3 Months Tennis shoes!! Aren't they adorable??? Sorry, I can't help but to brag!! I'm on a roll about little feet for some reason. OK so maybe they won't always be worn over socks, but I love this idea and I love the way they turned out!! They are so cute I just want to eat them up if I do say so myself!!

Hopefully You'll make some for your favorite charity. Little feet will be getting cold soon!!

Here's the pattern:

0-3 Months Tennis Shoe
To be worn over socks
Fits a size 0-1 shoe

These are great for added warmth in the winter or just a fashion statement! I know my feet are much colder when I’m wearing thin shoes.

WW yarn
(Do NOT use soft, limp or fine/sport yarn for this project!!)
H or I hook (Depending on your crochet tension and the size you want)

FPDC= Front Post Double Crochet
TRC= Triple crochet

SOLE

Chain 9

NOTE: Be careful to count your stitches!!! Keep your stitches fairly tight- you don’t want “holes” to show between stitches.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd chain from hook and each chain to end of row (8 Sc total). Work 2 more Sc in end chain, then Sc in remaining loops down the other side to start. Work 2 more Sc in the starting chain (the first chain you made). Join with a slip stitch.

Row 2: Ch 1, 2 Sc in same stitch. Sc in next 8 Sc, 3 Sc in end stitch, Sc in 8 sc back up the other side and join with a slip stitch.

Row 3: Ch 1, (Ch 1 counts as a Sc) 2 more Sc in same stitch, Sc in next 10 stitches, 3 Sc in end stitch, Sc in next 10 stitches, join with a slip stitch. Do not chain 1.

Row 4: FPDC in each stitch around, join with a slip stitch.

Row 5: Ch 2, Dc in each stitch around

Row 6: Ch 2, Dc in the next 12 stitches, Dc the next THREE stitches together, Dc in next 12 stitches, join.

Row 7: Ch 2, TRC in the next 7 stitches, SC in the next 4 stitches, SC THREE stitches together, Sc in the next 4 stitches, TRC in the last 7 stitches. Join.

Finish off.

Cut a 8” piece of yarn and thread through the stitches from toe to ankle as if lacing up a shoe.

Boy have I been a busy little bee tonight!! Pattern created, typed, photographed, posted all in about an hour!!

Soon to come on my website!!

Marla
The Nursery

Ooooh it's chilly today!!

Man is it chilly out there today!! Only 65 degrees, 72 was supposed to be the high but it never got there!! Not freezing but makes it seem like it after 85+ temps all week.

Makes it cold enough you need a sweater or long sleeves, socks and shoes which many little ones don't have!!

If you knit or crochet, or even sew, please consider making some items for babies, toddlers, and little ones and donating them where you can. Your local community is great but don't forget about your online charities that need items to distribute in other places too!! Many of them send items to areas that don't receive help otherwise or don't have a lot of local charities to help and they need YOUR help to help those communities!!

Here's some pages to get you started:
Bev's Country Cottage
The Nursery
Friends of Pine Ridge Reservation
Love Afghans for PRRNewborns in Need
Warming Familes
Angel Crafts

All of these have places listed to send items, patterns to make items, and some are a charity themselves.

If you have extra yarn or supplies you'd like to donate but not the time, please contact one of them- I'm sure they'd be most grateful!!

On a different note I've been doing my favorite thing today... Freecycling!!! The lady who was supposed to pick up the 2 items I had for sale got mixed up and didn't show, but I met another lady with some wonderful little items of baby clothes!! Just a small sack full but they will keep a few babies warm this winter!! All currently smell of smoke but will turn out nicely I'm sure once they're washed. There were some really cute gowns, sleepers and other warm outfits there!!

Now back to crafting... just what to craft. Hmm.....

Have fun everyone!!

Marla
The Nursery

More Fabric!!!

Freecycle comes thru again!!

I should have plenty of cotton or quilting material to do either baby things or the bears with- picked up three large sacks this afternoon from a very generous freecycler!! There were 4 adorable flannel pieces of just under a yard, and a too cute for words Peter Rabbit stretch knit piece of about 3/4 yard maybe. The rest was just nice various colors and all but still can be used. It was quite a drive up to the other end of the county but well worth it!! She had a few nice spools of thread too so with the sack of thread I got yesterday I should be set for a long time!

Now if some fleece and flannel would just appear like magic.... but I can't be too greedy. She did give me a great idea.... they were cutting up old jeans and making appliques or random squares or pieces for some of their quilts- and they were so cute!! They were doing some for wounded soldiers to send overseas and one they showed me had USA material on the back with red, denim and scrap squares on the front. And it was just precious!!! And very warm!!

I didn't dare ask for any yarn what with the stash that's sitting around here waiting to be worked up. Sure, I could always use yarn but I am running out of places in this small house to store what I get now as it is.

The only other thing I could possibly ask for besides Fleece or Flannel would be baby items that could be handed out to a needy little one this winter. On the craft/baby front that is....

Boy, I am having way too much fun with the Freecycle! Could that be because it's FREE??? It's a good way to get rid of my usable junk too!! Now if I could just figure out how to create more storage space... LOL

Now which project to tackle? The baby afghan I've been working on, some more little outfits or gowns, or hats and booties?

So many projects so little time.....

Marla
The Nursery

Random Ramblings

Well, it's 11:37 pm and instead of crocheting and watching TV as usual, I'm at the puter. Wish I hadn't had that long nap this afternoon- now I'm wide awake. Although I was up from about 2-4 this morning, since my husband decided to disappear for 45min around 2am. Scared me to death and when I finally caught up with him he'd run out to pay the water bill in the middle of town, afraid it'd be late if he waited til morning. Now, I totally trust my husband and he isn't the type to go out running around at 2am much less do anything shady.... wierd, yes- shady- never!! But I could figure out no reason why he would have left the house at 2am especially without telling me- guess he thought I was already asleep. I just happened to walk in the living room where he had been watching TV and he was gone. Turns out since the bill was due on a weekend it wasn't due til closing time Monday anyway.... but his simple mind didn't figure that out before running out without telling me at 2am scaring me out of my wits. Now I love my husband dearly, and my grandmother loved my granddaddy dearly but I think she always had it right the first time.... MEN!!! BAH HUMBUG!!!!!! Being a Christian that's about as nice as I can put it... I swear I'm gonna be old and gray before I'm 35 trying to keep up with me and my husband both!!!

Soooo..... On the positive front, gonna try to get that pattern for Newborn socks posted to my website tonight and get it posted around to some charity websites. Hopefully it'll keep little feet warm this fall and winter! I'm working on some other patterns but I can only work so fast....

I picked up some thread and a sack of material from a lady off of Freecycle today, about 90% usable for either Newborns in Need to make quilts and such or for our Teddy Bears project at church. I just volunteered to sew up about 15 a month and no I don't have to do the whole thing... it's a team effort and there are several teams. One person washes and irons material, another cuts out, another sews, another stuffs, another paints faces, and another distributes. They are given to Dr's offices, Emergency rooms, Ambulance services and the like to be given to scared little ones that come in.

Supposed to meet another lady tomorrow that has some fabric and possibly some thread and things for me. Now clothes... I'm not the best at sewing, maybe some simple stuff. But blankets, quilts, cutting out,.... that part I can do!! She says this bunch is supposed to be mostly baby oriented so hopefully I'll get some great stuff.

Now just to get that sewing machine dusted off!! And maybe give my hands a little bit of a break from crocheting... For now, back to tackling some crochet projects!!

Marla
The Nursery

Blogger Schmogger

MAN is blogger ever behind updating postings- they are essentially slow. Yes I have updated my postings and re-published but alas it doesn't show up yet on my blog. Maybe soon they'll get their act together!!

I'm about to go work on some preemie items I've been crocheting, also some blankets- winter will be upon us before we know it!! Gotta meet a girl tomorrow to pick up some thread and things off Freecycle, I'm going to start sewing bears soon for a program at church. Long story short, it's an assembly line type team effort, one person cuts out, one sews, one stuffs, etc. then the finished bears are taken to emergency rooms, ambulance services, etc.

Hopefully I have some things sold on our local e-market too- good as we could use the extra $$.

Blogger, get your act together!!

TTFN!!
Marla
The Nursery

Newborn Socks pattern

Hi Everyone,

here's the pattern I promised for those newborn socks! Preemie items are badly needed right now at Newborns in Need Home office in MO so I'll try to get a preemie version of these made up really soon!

Newborn Socks
Baby yarn
F or G hook
Use F hook for Newborn size around 3-31/2", G hook for 0-3mos size 31/2-4"

Chain 2

Row 1: Work 9 DC in 2nd chain from hook and join with a slip stitch to first ch2.

Row 2: Ch 2, Dc in same space, *Dc in next space, 2 Dc in next space, repeat from * around, join with a slip stitch.

Row 3: Ch 2, Dc in next Dc, *2 Dc in next stitch, Dc in the next 2 Dc. Repeat from * around and join with a slip stitch.

Row 4-6: Ch 2, Dc in each dc around and join with a slip stitch at the end.

Row 7: Slip stitch in the first 5 stitches, then Dc in each stitch around to first slip stitch. TURN and do not join

Row 8 & 9: Chain 2 and Dc in each stitch around, TURN

Now to form the heel, slip stitch in the first 7 stitches, now fold sock to form the heel and slip stitch the 2 sides of the heel together. DO NOT FINISH OFF

Cuff:

Turn sock so heel and bottom of foot are on the bottom (as if you would hold it if you were putting it on)

Row 1: Chain 2, Dc in each stitch and space between each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to beginning stitch. Hint: you should have 18 Dc all the way around including the ch 2 at the beginning.

Rows 2-4: Chain 2, Dc in each Dc around.

Optional: you may repeat rows 2-4 for a total of 8 rows then fold down if you want a thicker cuff.

Preemie version soon to come!!!

If you need a home for these, NIN Home office could sure use some!! Actually, any kind of preemie items are needed right now, as well as Newborn and 0-3mos items for the fall/winter months!!

http://www.newbornsinneed.org

Marla
The Nursery - my baby patterns

Newborn Socks!!

Here's something to keep tiny feet warm this winter- Newborn and 0-3 month socks!! Here's the picture at the left.... Pattern to come later!! These are cool cause they look a lot like knitted socks but are actually crocheted and take very little work- very fast to make up!! Actually takes longer to write the pattern down than it does to make the socks!! The ones shown are 0-3mos; I've made a variation for 31/2"-4" feet and a smaller version for newborns, whose feet at going home from the hospital are often around 3". Either way they stretch a bit. The ones in the picture were made from TLC baby yarn but I think I like just a little thicker baby yarn to do them with- will have to do some playing around and see what works best.

I'm also working on a couple of knitting loom patterns- gotta get them worked out and typed up. This will be my first attempt at a pattern on the knitting loom since I picked up loom knitting this summer. I can't afford the expensive looms on the net so the ones at Hobby Lobby will have to do for now.

As for now, I'm heading for some relaxation before bed- I'm beat!

The Prodigal Returns

Hi Everyone,

I'm back on my blog at least for now, seems like there is so little time between crocheting, keeping up with a house, husband, etc!!

Speaking of crocheting, I hope you are all busy with the cooler weather coming up making things for the tons of babies out there who will be ill dressed this winter, or the little ones who go home from the hospital wearing nothing but a diaper. I'm working on a pattern (if I can ever get it written up and posted) for a winter sweatsuit type outfit, but in the meantime you can find more baby and preemie patterns at The Nursery, my pattern page on my site. Please don't leave the little ones out of your busy schedule this fall/winter!! If you have no place in your community to send baby items, Newborns in Need Home Officewould be glad to take them and distribute where needed.

My latest patterns: Preemie/Newborn Diaper shirt and diaper cover- This makes a great Hospital/Going home outfit, although something warmer will be needed in the coming months. (Hey I'm working on it- I can only crochet/make up patterns so fast!!!)

Bev of Bev's Country Cottage has a new blog!! She's just getting started but more will be coming I'm sure so click on the link to visit her new blog and see what's going on with her!

Well, back to crocheting! Remember the Starfish story- you can always help at least one baby keep warm this winter!!

Don't forget the little ones!

Hi Everyone,

Just a note to remind you that while you're making up things for charity, (I hope you haven't gotten too busy with the spring weather! Even with the weather breaking many little ones are doing without.) don't forget these groups:

your local NICU or preemie charity! For Preemie or Newborn patterns, please visit The Nursery, Bev's Country Cottage, or Newborns in Need for some patterns and ideas to get you started.

Any group serving babies NB-Preschool- there are still many children out there that have very little or nothing! Newborns in Need Home office and many other charities I'm sure are still getting calls from social organizations trying to help those who lost everything in Hurricane Katrina.

Blankets for your local humanitarian group- anything from burnout to illness, homelessness, you name it!

Some of my favorite patterns:

Bev's Baby Shirt- crocheted
Bev's Kittens in a Row afghan
South Bay Crochet - Cheryls Scrap Reversible Shells Afghan (Can be adapted to any size!

Newborn Boy and Girl Booties
Preemie Girl and Boy Booties
Bev's Easy Round Baby Hat

Make one up for your favorite charity today! Just make sure you help keep a little one warm- they are the most helpless and depend on someone to care for them.


Marla
Marla http://marlashouse.blogspot.com
Marla's House http://geocities.com/missmarlad
YarnExchange http://groups.yahoo.com/group/YarnExchange