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