Down Time Show and Tell

As I said in my last post, I've been comforting myself with hooks and yarn. I thought I'd share some of the things that I've been making. This is a tiny airplane.




As you can see, my embroidery hasn't improved any, but I still think it's a cute little airplane. The best thing is that this plane can fly all over the house and not break anything!

This is for a little boy who likes Curious George. Unfortunately, I don't have two shades of brown yarn. I only have one shade of brown, and it's cotton yarn. I was afraid it would shrink if I tried making a toy out of it.

These are Heart Babies! Aren't they the cutest little things? The pink one was made exactly following the pattern. The red one I made a mistake on. Guess which one everyone seems to like better? The red one, of course!

A coral snake! I love snakes, and hopefully the little boy I made this for will like him, too.

I tried to follow the pattern for this snake, but I think I made a mistake somewhere as he doesn't seem to have as many stripes as the one on the pattern photo shows.

This is a tote or messenger bag I made for one of my teen age granddaughters. She loves pink, can you tell? I have a confession to make though. I made an error on this one, too. I used a magnetic snap to close it, and I didn't line the two halves up exact. Hopefully she won't be too disappointed. I love the lining material, and the way the thin black strips accent the pink.

This is the bag closed. The pattern crochets up in one piece, and is very easy to follow.

What do you make for a teenage boy? He doesn't wear hats or scarfs, they're not cool where he lives. He's too old for toys, though I threatened his mother that I would crochet a spider for him. (She's terrified of them!) He does belong to ROTC so I thought a camo duffel bag would be perfect for him. I looked all over the internet for a free pattern for a duffel bag like this, but couldn't find one, so this is my own design. Here it is opened.

The back of the duffel bag.

And here is the duffel bag closed. I used the backpack straps to pull the bag closed, and a magnetic snap to hold the flap closed.

Hope y'all enjoyed my little show and tell, and that you've had a wonderful weekend!

I'm Still Here!

My body is going through a rebellion of sorts, so I haven't been doing much other than cingrocheting, I'm trying to catch up on some crocheted toys and bags for my new grankids in Chicago. So far I've made a messenger bag, a duffel bag, a coral snake, an airplane, a doll, a puppet doll in a blanket, two Valentine babies and am currently working on a monkey. He was supposed to be a Curious Gearge, but I discovered to my dismay that I don't have a solid dark brown yarn fir him, so he is going to be a two different shades of blue monkey.

I'll post some pics when I feel better and the weather cooperates. I had also hoped to introduce you to my rescue ferret Bubba. He's such a sweetheartm a real lover-boy.

We'll talk again soon! Till then crochet hugs!

Healing Power of Crochet

I went to the doctors today because my stomach (pancreatitis) is flaring up again, and found out I have diverticulitis, too. I'm not complaining to you, don't get me wrong. What made my visit with my doctor much better was how impressed he was with how calm I was! He asked me what I was doing to maintain my peacefulness with all that was going on with me. I simply pointed to the bag at my feet and said my best medicine right now is crochet!

When I work with my hooks and yarn, it gives me something else to concentrate on other than how bad I feel. One thought that keeps running through my head is one of amazement. I can hardly believe that I can take a simple string or yarn, and turn it into FABRIC to warm a body, or a toy to bring a child joy or a beautiful new bag that is truly one of a kind.

I mean, think about it? How many people other than a knitter or crocheter or any other fiber artist can say that? I don't think everyoe understands that, It just recently hit me like that, 'I can turn string into fabric with a simple stick! How awesome is that?'

I also think that it's something that we fiber artists should be very proud of.

I hope all my friends and loved ones are having a weekend as wonderful as they are!
　

New Toy - Off My Hook Extra

I've been having a bad day, health-wise, but thanks to positive reading from some of my favorite blogs, and the warming comfort of crochet, I'm making it through with a glad attitude!

I made this chubby little baby today. There's just something about working with a hook and yarn and a picture in my head that makes almost anything bearable. Do you ever feel like that?

Wishing you all a lovely weekend!

Off My Hook Thursday

I finally finished my granny hoodie! I used the same basic pattern that I crocheted Brianna's cardigan with, but this time I added a hood to it. I didn't have a pattern to follow for the hood, just winged it, and now that it's complete, I can see what I want to change for the next one. Yes, there will be a next one.

I've had more than my usual trouble sleeping last night, so I crocheted a new beanie for Brianna. She hasn't seen it yet, so no photo. As soon as I can get her to try it on, I'll post some pictures. I used the free pattern found here. You have to register to view the patterns, but it's free and there are so many wonderful patterns, not only for crochet, but knitting as well. The hat is a very easy pattern to follow and works up so fast!

Now I'm working on a surprise for someone else. I can't tell you what it is or post any pictures because her mommy reads this blog, and she likes to read over mommy's shoulder! I'll wait instead until I've finished it and mailed it to her.

What are you crafting? I'd love to hear about it!

Good Morning World

Good morning" said the Sun

as he gently kissed the Sky.

He rose to start the day

as a blush spread across her face.

I hope this day finds you all happy, healthy and loved!

Food! Glorious Food!

Today is grocery shopping day. My daughter and I make a menu for lunches and dinners for a whole week, and plan the grocery shopping around that menu. We are vegetarians, so must be a little creative with our meals. This week, I thought I'd share our menu with you.

Monday:
Lunch - Leftovers (Whatever happens to be in the fridge from meals from the week before. It's eaten buffet style, which adds to the fun.)
Dinner - Redone Lentils and yellow rice.

Tuesday:
Lunch - Hash brown Casserole and Muffins.
Dinner - Mexican Polenta and Rice

Wednesday:
Lunch - Gingery Quinia Salad with apples, peas and coconut, Bread
Dinner - Lasagna Roll ups, Bread sticks, and salad

Thursday:
Lunch - Asparagus and Olives Linguine, Bread sticks.
Dinner - Eastern European Red Lentil Soup, Olive Oil Crackers (homemade), salad.

Friday:
Lunch - Scones (homemade), Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits, Veggie sausage.
Dinner - Pizza topped with artichoke hearts, fresh tomato slices, black olives and feta cheese.

Saturday:
Lunch - Corn Fritters with Creamed Spinach, applesauce.
Dinner - Peanut Noodles, Snow Peas with a single herb.

Sunday:
Lunch - Cabbage Calzones.
Dinner - Cheese Verde Enchiladas, yellow rice, strawberries.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I should mention a few things. My daughter and I take turns cooking, each making one meal a day, the other cleaning up after said meal. My granddaughter is in charge of all the clean ups on the weekends.

Also, the only bread we ever buy from the store is rye bread. All other bread or bread products we make from scratch, including the bread sticks, scones and pizza dough featured on this menu.

The most read books in our household are the cookbooks. We have one whole shelf full of cookbooks, plus a box full out in the garage of them that we either don't care for or don't have enough use for.

What about you? Do you plan your menus day by day or by the week like us? Do you have a favorite cookbook? I'd love to hear about it!

Introducing Princess Wendy NeKe

It's another chilly morning here in north east Florida, perfect weather for cuddling up and working on my new cardigan. The warmth the yarn fabric gives reminds me of the warm feelings I get from my furbabies, ferrets Wendy (full name Princess Wendy NeKe) and Bubba (full name Prince Ga'arra). I could write volumes about both Wendy and Bubba, their various antics and all the love and joy they bring to my life, but I thought I'd start with just a short intro to Wendy.

I got Wendy when she was just about 6 weeks old (she's now almost 4 years old). We were living just outside Chicago, Illinois, and I already had a ferret, Sugar Bob (a long, sad story I'll tell you about some other time. Anyway, I took one look at Wendy and she captured my heart. She has the sweetest personality! Wendy has the ability to sense just what her 'mommy' needs at any time and does her best to fulfill that need. She, like all ferrets, is playful, loving, curious, and a seemingly endless ball of energy. I've always said that ferrets are like the best of a dog and cat mixed together. They are loyal and loving, and never out grow the playful kitten stage. They also use a litter box inside the house, and with proper training, love to go for long walks on a leash.

Some of my favorite things about Wendy is when she curls up on my chest or lap for a nap, how she loves to ride inside my jacket when the weather gets too chilly for her, and when she walks up to me, and looks right at me with a doleful expression on her face. That's her signal for, "Pick me up, Mommy, I'm too tired to walk now".

Wendy fills my life with love, joy, laughter, and brightness. What more could you ask from a loyal companion?

Friday Night is Pizza Night!

Fridays are pizza night in our house. Tonight we had Pizza Margarita. Homemade from scratch pizza crust, a little olive oil, fresh slices of ripe tomato, a dash of salt and pepper, and a generous topping of fresh mozzarella cheese. After it's baked, while it's still hot, we top it with some chopped fresh basil.

It was yummy!

Where to Go? What to Do?

I realize that I seem to be focused on my crochet lately in my blog. I have no intentions of making this a primarily crochet blog, but I do like to show off my work once in a while. Plus, it gives you an idea of what else I do to fill the hours of my days.

Right now I'm in the process of figuring out where I want to go with my blogging. I'm considering a plan that would focus on a different subject every day. For example, Mondays would be Family Day, Tuesdays would be Food, Wednesday would be Writing (poetry or short stories), Thursdays would be Crafting or Crochet, and Fridays would be Anything Goes.

Nothing's set in stone yet, but I believe a plan like this would keep me focused on my blogging, with a little less pressure on me to come up with ideas for what to post about.

I'm interested in your opinion. What do you think of this idea?

Finally Finished!

A simple granny square lapghan using Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Soft White, Bikini, and Black colorways using an "I" hook. This took me longer to make than I thought it would as I changed my pattern after I started making it and the squares turned out smaller than I planned. Of course, I didn't realize that until I started assembling my blocks into the lapghan! I had to make another row of squares, then added a couple more inches to it by using the Cathedral Edging.

I do love the way the colors go together, this is a bright happy lapghan as far as I'm concerned!

Off My Hook!

My granddaughter and I were yarn shopping the other day, and she fell in love with Red Heart Super Saver Multi in the Bikini colorway. I knew I would have to make her something in it, so I went searching for a pattern to use, and found this Granny Cardigan by Yarn Artist.

I made a few adaptations to the pattern, mainly in the sleeves so that the cold breezes couldn't blow up them. I am very happy with the way it turned out, and so is she!

Snowy Owlet (Crochet Amigurumi)

Owlet


Materials needed:

small amount of 4 ply (ww) yarn, for body, eyes, wings and wing trim, and feet (I used Yarn Bee's Cameo ivory for the body and wings referred to in pattern as main color, Yarn Bee's Cameo black for the eye rings, Caron Simply Soft Shadows pearl frost for wing trim, and Caron Simply Soft mango for the feet)
size 3 crochet thread for beak (I used Senso Metallics black)
"G" hook
"C" hook
stitch markers
Darning needle
2 post eyes (I used the snap on post and back type eyes, don't know what they're typically called.)
fiberfill for stuffing

Abbreviations used:
sc = single crochet
st = stitch
ss = slip stitch
inc = increase (do 2 single crochets in one stitch)
dec = decrease ( insert hook into first stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through the two loops on your hook)

Body: (make one)

As amigurumi is made in spirals, do not join rounds. Use a stitch marker or a piece of thread or yarn to mark the end of your rounds.
With "G" hook, and main color:
Start 8 sc in a magic ring. (8 sc)
Rnd 2: *1 sc in first st, 2 sc (inc) in second st* repeat from * to * around. (12 sc)
Rnd 3: *1 sc in first 2 st, 2 sc (inc) in third st* repeat from * to * around. (16 sc)
Rnd 4: *1 sc in first 3 st, 2 sc (inc) in fourth st* repeat from * to * around. (20 sc)
Rnd 5: *1 sc in first 4 st, 2 sc (inc) in fifth st* repeat from * to * around. (24 sc)
Rnd 6: *1 sc in first 5 st, 2 sc (inc) in sixth st* repeat from * to * around. (28 sc)
Rnd 7: *1 sc in first 6 st, 2 sc (inc) in seventh st* repeat from * to * around. (32 sc)
Rnd 8: *1 sc in first 7 st, 2 sc (inc) in eighth st* repeat from * to * around. (36 sc)
Rnd 9: *1 sc in first 8 st, 2 sc (inc) in ninth st* repeat from * to * around. (40 sc)
Rnds 10 - 12: work even (40 sc)
Rnd 13: *sc first 2 st together (dec), sc in the next 3 st* repeat from * to * around ( 32 sc)
Rnd 14: *sc first 2 st together (dec), sc in the next 2 st* repeat from * to * around ( 24 sc)
Rnd 15: *sc first 2 st together (dec), sc in the next st* repeat from * to * around ( 16 sc)
Rnd 16: *sc first 2 st together (dec)* repeat from * to * around. (8 sc) ss in next st and fasten off, leaving a long tail for closing and sewing.

Wings: (make two)

With "G" hook, and main color:
Work 8 sc in a magic ring (8 sc)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around (16 sc)
Rnd 3: * 1 sc in the first st, 2 sc in next (inc)* repeat from * to * around (24 sc)
Rnd 4: work even (24 sc) ss into next st, and fasten off
Rnd 5: attach new color in any st and work even around (24 sc) ss in next st and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.
Fold wing circle in half and sew edges together. Do not cut yarn, you'll use the remainder to sew the wing onto the body of the owlet.

Eye Rings: (make 2)

With "G" hook, and eye color:
Make 6 sc in a magic ring, join with a ss and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing eye rings to body.

Beak: (make 1)

With "C" hook, and size 3 hook:
Make 4 sc in a magic ring.
Rnd 2: *sc in first st, 2 sc in next st (inc)* repeat from * to * around. ( 6 sc)
Rnd 3: *sc in first 2 st, 2 sc in next st (inc)* repeat from * to * around. ( 8 sc)
Rnd 4: *sc in first 3 st, 2 sc in next st (inc)* repeat from * to * around. ( 10 sc)
Rnd 5: Work even (10 sc) ss into next st and fasten off, leaving long tail for weaving and sewing. Weave yarn through the last row of stitches and pull to close. Flatten slightly to form beak shape.

Feet: (make 2)

With "C" hook, and 'feet' color yarn:
Start 6 sc in a magic ring. (6 sc)
Rnd 2: *1 sc in first st, 2 sc (inc) in second st* repeat from * to * around. (9 sc)
Rnd 3 - 4: Work even around (10 sc)
Rnd 5: *sc first 2 st together (dec), sc in the next st* repeat from * to * around ( 6 sc) ss into next st, and fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing and weaving.

Assembly Instructions:

I find it easiest to sew the beaks and eye rings onto the body before stuffing it and sewing it closed. Referring to photo, sew beak in place, then eye rings. Attach the eye posts in the centers of the eye rings.

Stuff the body, and weave the long tail through the last row of stitches, pull tight to close, and sew the tail to secure. Bury thread through the center of the body.

Sew the wings onto each side of the body. Fold feet flat, and sew to bottom of the owlet (I placed them at the 3 row from the bottom.

Notes:

It's also easiest for me to pin my body parts into place before sewing them, to make sure they're balanced and in the correct position.

A good tutorial for making a magic ring can be found here:
http://crochetme.com/Dec_Jan_0405/reads_round.html

If you're not comfortable with using a magic ring, you can also start with the traditional method (chain two and work appropriate numbers of sc into second chain from the hook) but I find it leaves too big a hole for my tastes.

Christmas 2010 At Our House2

Wendy helps opening the gifts

Wendy climbs in a box, making sure it's empty!

Wendy loves opening pressies!

We hope your holiday is as full of love and joy as ours!

Christmas Morning 2010

Brianna's Dutch Apple Pie

Our Yule Log

Cheri's Gift Bag

Brianna opening her gifts.

A Christmas Gift From Me To You-Free Crochet Pattern

Once upon a time, I was creative. I loved anything artistic. Paper, clay, photography, yarn or thread. If I could make something with my own two hands that was useful or beautiful, I was into it. I shared much of what I did freely, and the internet enabled me. As time went by, though, I got discouraged due to the fact that more and more, I found my freely shared 'artistic creations' stolen, and sold for a profit. So I took most of them down. I'm reconsidering that decision now, as I am not getting any younger, and it seems there isn't anyone around here to pass my passion on to.

To make a long story short, I've decided to start with a Christmas gift from me to you. It's a crochet pattern for what I've named a "Tea Bag Stocking". I designed this little stocking as a gift to include with my Christmas cards one year, and made with size 10 crochet thread, it's the perfect size to tuck a couple tea bags or other small notions into. It can also be made with yarn.

Tea Bag Stocking - Version One

Materials:
For Thread Stocking
two colors of size 10 thread, one for the toe, heel wedge and cuff, referred to as Color A, and one color for the main body of the stocking, referred to as Color B. You may also like to add a small amount of metallic thread as an accent for the finishing round/hanging cord.
Size 1 steel hook (2.75 mm) ~OR~ Size 2 steel hook (2.25 mm)

For Yarn Stocking
two colors of ww yarn, one for toe, heel wedge, and cuff, referred to as Color A, and one color for the main body of the stocking, referred to as Color B.
Size E (3.5 mm) crochet hook

**Do not join rounds unless directed to by pattern.**

Abbreviations used:
sc = single crochet

hdc = half double crochet

dc = double crochet

trc = triple crochet

sk = skip

st = stitch
ss = slip stitch
inc = increase (do 2 single crochets in one stitch)
dec = decrease ( insert hook into first stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through the two loops on your hook)

Rnd 1: With color A, ch 2, 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook (8 sc)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in ea st around (16 sc)
Rnd 3: *1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next*, repeat from * to * around (24 sc)
Rnd 4: *1 sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next*, repeat from * to * around (32 sc) fasten off color A.
Rnd 5: Join color B with a slip stitch in the next stitch, chain 2 (counts as the first hdc, hdc in ea st around (32 hdc)
Rnd 6 through 13: hdc in ea st around. (32 hdc)
use a stitch marker to hold last stitch, then in next stitch, join color A (working the heel now) with a slip stitch, chain 1

Heel wedge

Row 1: Work sc, sc, hdc, hdc, dc, dc, dc, dc, hdc, hdc, sc, sc. Ch 1, turn.
Row 2: Work sc, hdc, hdc, dc, dc, trc, trc, dc, dc, hdc, hdc, sc. Ch 1, turn.
Row 3: Work sc, sc, hdc, hdc, dc, dc, dc, dc, hdc, hdc, sc, sc, fasten off color A.

Body of stocking

Rnd 14: Pick up the loop you saved with the stitch marker, and hdc around placing a hdc in each row of heel for a total of 38 hdc.
Rnd 15 through 28: hdc in each st around. (38 hdc)
Rnd 29: Sc in next st and in each st around.(38 sc) sl st in next st.
Fasten off color B.


Cuff:

Row 30: Working in the front loops only for this round only, join color A with a sl st, ch 1, sc in same st as joining and in each st around. (38 sc) Join with a sl st, ch 2. Turn. (You will be working in both loops from now on)
Row 31: Hdc in each st around (38 hdc) Join with a sl st, ch 2, turn.
Row 32: Hdc in each st around, (38 hdc) Join with a sl st, ch 1, turn
Row 33: sc in first st, *sk one hdc, work 5 dc in next hdc, sk one hdc, sc in next hdc,* repeat from * to * around.Join with a sl st in first sc. (10 sc, 50 dc) Fasten off, leaving a long end to tack cuff down if desired. Tack cuff down.

Finishing Edge with Hanging Loop

Row 34: Fold the stocking flat to locate the back of the stocking. Join color of your choice (I used a small amount of gold metallic thread or a fancy metallic yarn as an accent for this round, but you may want to use color A or even color B) in the blo of the last round of the stocking with a sl st, ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each blo st around (38 sc) Ch 15, join with a sl st to first st, ch 1, DO NOT TURN.
Row 35: sc in each st around. (38 sc) Sc 25 st in the chain, then join with a sl st in the first st. Fasten off. Weave in all ends.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Happy Holidays!

Granny Square Angels and Peppermint Bark

Life has been sweet around here today! My granddaughter and I made peppermint bark last night, and we've all been munching on it. I don't care for white chocolate, so we used dark chocolate, with just a little red and green candy melts swirled in for that "Christmas-y" appearance.





I also made three little Granny Square Angels for our Christmas Trees. I was a bit fooled by the title, 'Granny Squares'. I can crochet granny squares, they're easy and fast! But I was thrown by having to crochet around chenille stems for the wings, dress, halo and arms. The project took a while longer than I thought it would, but I'm quite pleased with the results.

Free Pattern for the Granny Square Angels can be found at Priscilla's Crochet.

Have You Ever Done Such a Thing?

My better half and I were coming home from shopping yesterday, and as usual, were listening to the radio. I love this time of year as you can find stations that play nothing but Christmas music, 24 hours a day. The DJ caught my attention when he asked "Have you ever bought Christmas presents that didn't make it to under the Christmas tree?" It was the intro for a commercial for a security system, but it reminded me of an event that happened when my children were little.

I'm not the most organised person in the world. Are you surprised? Well, this one particular year, I was determined to change, so I went out Christmas shopping in September, instead of waiting for the last minute. I didn't buy everything on my list, but filled two shopping bags with my purchases. I brought them home, wrapped them up, and then hid them.

This is the important part of the story. My son, when he was growing up, was the best gift seeker I've ever known. I had to be extremely clever in finding hiding places, or he would not only find every present, but many times, he'd share with every one else what they were getting as well.

I really outdid myself when I hid those gifts. As Christmas approached, I bought and wrapped more toys and clothes, and then did an inventory of the various piles. I couldn't understand why there weren't more gifts. Yes, I can see the light dawning, I forgot about the gifts I had bought way back in September! So I went out and bought more things to make up for my shortcoming.

It wasn't until the following June, when we were packing up the apartment preparing to move, when way back in the top of the closet, we found the bags of forgotten Christmas presents! We had an unexpected 'Christmas in June' that year, and my kids haven't let me live it down to this day.


Speaking of toys, this is my latest - a crochet snow-yo man! I found the pattern here: Gardener's Ramblings

A Christmas Wish

I wish I had been there,
that very first Christmas,
just to watch as that town
slumbered in ignorance.

What would it have been like
to see that one star,
that magnificent orb,
bathe a lowly stable
in a wonderous light?

And, what did those poor men,
those lowly shepherds, feel,
suddenly awakening,
there in the presence of
an angelic chorus?

No wonder the angel
told them - Be not afraid.

I would have been struck dumb,
hiding my face in fear,
instead of savouring
all of the majesty
of that one brief moment.

I wish I had been there
when those gates were opened,
and mortal man was awed
by the joyful anthems
of His heavenly choir.

It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas here, at least inside the house. I don't think I'll ever truely get used to a green Christmas like we have here in Florida, but I do appreciate not having to deal with shoveling snow off of the sidewalks and driveway, or having to scrape ice off the windshield of the car before driving any where.

I thought I'd share a little of what I've been up to, holiday-wise. This is our 2010 Christmas tree so far. Did I happen to mention that I love Christmas? My beloved and I have a tradition of setting up the tree on Thanksgiving Day, and we usually do each years tree in a color theme. This year, it's red, white, and green, just in case you couldn't tell.
These are two of the oldest ornaments on our tree. I don't remember where or even when we purchased them, but they are hand crocheted (I believe) and I adore them. I am big on handmade/homemade/crafty things. As we hung our ornaments this year, I was thinking, 'I wish I had more ornaments like these!' (We only have three angels and two doves like these.) Since money is very tight this year, I knew better than to try and shop online for more.

The good news is, I DO know how to crochet, and there are hundreds of free patterns for crocheted ornaments and decorations available on the internet. I turned to one of my very favorite websites, http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory.php , for assistance in my search.






This is a Lacy Angel Ornament that I found at CrochetMemories
While she is not like the tinier angels we purchased, I think she has a beauty all her own.














And this is just one of several Star in a Star ornaments that I made from a pattern I found at jpfun.com . I actually made over twenty of these pretty little stars in red, white, and green, but most of them went to my granddaughter, Brianna's Girl Scout Troop for gifts at their Christmas party.

I thought you might like a close up view of the crocheted dove ornaments.
Close up of one of the purchased angel ornaments.

This is the latest ornament to hang on our tree. It's a Bell Flake, and I found the pattern at my newest favorite website, Snowcatcher. She designs the most amazing crochet patterns, and I wish I could show you more of what I've made from her work, but unfortunately, I've sent them out as Christmas gifts. The nice thing about her crocheted snowflakes are they can fit right inside a greeting card, and be mailed. If you don't put too many snowflakes in the envelope, you don't even have to pay extra postage!

Forgive my funky formating in this post, please. I'm trying Picasa to upload and blog, and it didn't load all the photo's I selected the first time. I'll try and post more of the ornaments I'm making as I complete them.

Until then, I want to wish all a very happy and healthy holiday season!