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!!