Saturday, July 25, 2009

Lacy Crochet Baby Hats


I'm curious to know what kind of response I'll get on this lacy hat. This one is made in 100% super soft cotton yarn. I think adding the rose in the same color as the hat makes it fancy and the right choice to show off baby at church. The rose is adorned by two crochet leave. This flower can be removed if a more casual look is desired.

Top view of the lacy crochet hat

My First Square Hat


I never thought I'd make a square hat until I got a special request from my friend Rachel. I'm glad she challenged me to create one. Babies look adorable in just about anything and square hats is no exception. The cream on was worked using acrylic yarn. I think the knobby texture is accentuated using this type of yarn.


I used the Baby Bee Hushabye yarn and achieved a total different look on the same pattern.

Nice Yarn to Work With


I've discovered a great yarn for baby hats. Baby Bee yarn - Hushabye Solid is made in Turkey and the skein contains a generous 208 yards. The fact that it is 50% cotton and 50% acrylic makes super soft. This yarn is available in beautiful baby colors.
These three go great together


on this wide rib knitted hat

As the yarn frays it gives the pom pom the shabby chic look

A Short and Visit with the Grandkids - Day Two

On our second day we visited a real neat place called Deadwood which has a restaurant and rides for kids and adults. Caleb holds to ticket for the train ride. Notice Taite wore his Batman cape. The owners of this Deadwood in Williamston have recreated a western town set back in the 1870s. The original tv series Deadwood was located in South Dakota.

The Train we Rode

What is it about Roller Coasters that make us laugh - really laugh out loud. Me and Caleb rode it first and Taite who just made the 36" height allowed begged to ride it. Brave little guy he is. He was squished in the middle and I had to make sure he did not slide down. This was a real shaky ride. This fun ride cost $2.00 per rider. Taite was free.
Caleb could have gone on the roller coaster ride more times, I'm sure. He had such a good time watching other people on the ride.


Me and Andrea


Cliff and Travis relaxing. I'm not sure if they would have fit in the roller coaster cart.


Forgot to mention that during our train ride, we saw skeletons, coffins, Indian tepees, aliens and their space ships, alien monsters....What fun....I'm sure I'll be going back to this place.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

A Short and Visit with the Grandkids - Day One





Our first stop was just outside Washington, North Carolina. We joined Andrea and her family for a summer church gathering at a beautiful house along the Pamlico River.






Beautiful Water Front Home

The water on the Pamlico River is brackish but still great for swimming and fishing.

Taite preferred the kiddy pool. He did not like the darker water.
Caleb and his daddy on the other hand did not mind the darker waters at all. Caleb has come a long way overcoming is fear of the water. He feels secure with all his floating gear.


Caleb even goes underwater....Both boys learn from each other. Taite learned to do this at a much earlier age.

.....Come back soon, more beautiful things to report....

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Thankful Thursday


I'm thankful for....my son Kevin who serves in the Military

He only has one month and a half to complete his tour in Afghanistan.

I'm thankful to the many who have kept him in their prayers and have

said

"thank your son for his service."

Do continue to pray for the safety of all the men and women who are

currently away from home serving our country.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

There's Something About Monkeys that Appeals to Me





The moment I saw these adorable fabric Sock Monkey buttons I knew I would put them to use. I purchased them form SassyBelleButtons. The first time I purchased, I ordered the wrong kind. I assumed all fabric covered buttons were for sewing. Steph was very understanding and she shipped the kind I needed at no cost. She sells these buttons for sewing and also plain with nothing on the back, so they can be used for decorating cards or scrapbooks.


This card will make someone special smile on their birthday. It makes me smile and reminds me of my childhood. I added a little stitching touch -- just because, it's what I love to do most. Thank you Connie for the papers. I was able to make quite a few since you gave me lots of it.

The neat felt ribbon was a Michael's find.




The monkeys look cute anywhere and I made no mistake choosing to adorn the seven petal daisy on this crochet headband. This flower looks larger on this baby doll. It measures two and half inches wide.

Surfing Monkey Baby Headband

Friday, July 10, 2009

Mini Crochet Flowers - How To

I had to laugh at myself after watching this short video demonstrating how to make the mini crochet flowers. Just look at the way, I keep touching the little flower.....LOL.....It's not perfect but I hope you enjoy it. It takes a long time to upload these short clips to You Tube.







Mini Cards - Quick & Easy


Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Summer Brights


I've caught the crochet flower fever.....

They are fun and quick to make and so many possibilities.

I love this time of the year with all the colors around. No heat doesn't bother me. I slept in my native Panama without air conditioning until age 22. Now I'm spoiled, like everyone else who comes to live in the United States.

This wee flower is so cute....I've made quite a few of them....

and made mini cards....quick and sweet for anyone on your list of friends.

Sunday, July 05, 2009

Sunday Walk Through the Garden



Me and Carla took a walk through the garden. Took advantage of the overcast day to take some pictures. We are in need of rain badly. The eggplants have finally developed and they are the long and skinny kind. The squash plants have done well and we are getting quite a crop. I keep looking at my tomatillo plant but not sign of the vegetable developing. Lots and lots of yellow blooms....Some of the blooms have even fallen off so I don't know what is going on.




Summer Collage



This is what happens when the squash is not picked on time. They get huge. This one measured about 12 inches.

The Angels Wings Begonia from last year is doing great and it hasn't been re potted. We did not even cut it back because it really got to be a stick plant during the winter.
This is the tomatillo plant which I hope will produce delicious tomatillos. Tomatillos make great green salsa.

Friday, July 03, 2009

Enjoying a beautiful Day and....

.....Wishing...dreaming...We could have gotten together with Andrea, Travis and my beautiful grand kids. Maybe next fourth of July weekend.


The weather was nearly perfect today. There is plenty to do indoors but I had to make time and sit outside before dark. Carla spent a good part of the afternoon on the porch. She has an easy life.

Flower Collection


Here's a little sample of the Crochet flower collection I've been working on. The crochet flowers will be used on my crochet baby hats and headbands.







I have found another great use forthe mini flowers is to decorate greeting cards.

Bathroom Makeover - Continued---

The bathroom is looking great! Today Cliff worked on the future storage cabinet. He took out the window and is using the hole to install a cabinet to store bathroom stuff.


The wainescotting has been finished and the toilet installed properly. Cliff had to remove the toilet and reinstall because of a slight leak.