pretty in pink

Notice anything new in this picture? 

As in TWO needles instead of ONE hook?  
Well, a co-worker taught me how to knit the other day.  
I've been wanting to learn to knit for a long time but never got around to it.
Jeannine persuaded me to try and  taught me the "knit stitch" so I could do one particular project .    I was surprised at how quickly I learned.  I would have tried it ages ago if I have had known.

Here is the scarf I made my friend...Kaela says it looks like roses.

If you've ever wanted to learn something new...do it.  It was a nice challenge and the outcome was totally worth the effort.

 "Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. " ~Chinese Proverb

crochet cozies and other stuff

This past weekend, the kids were busy with homework, year end projects and church presentations.

Matt hit the mall with a friend to do a video on garfinkeling and had a blast doing it.  He posted one of the things they did on facebook.  Garfinkeling is where you violate a social norm (think of shopping out of someone else's shopping cart, stuff like that.)  
They put blue gatorade in a windex bottle and "cleaned" tables at the food court....while also spraying it in their mouths.  They also sat WAY too close to people on benches...amongst other things.  He showed me some videos and they sure did get a lot of weird looks!

But before all that, Matt kicked off the weekend by hitting the road for his first official *wink, wink* driving lesson.   Anyone have a cool vintage car they want to give him?  (Just in case Santa didn't read my letter....)

we also celebrated Suki's birthday with a new toy...a feathery ribbon from a gift someone sent to the house!  Cats are SO much easier to please than boys!

While I entertained Suki, Dean entertained the dogs....Ginger loves it when he rolls her over onto his lap.....but it is NOT easy since she weighs 95 pounds!  She can't run and jump like she used to because of her leg but she is healthy (and happy) otherwise.  When he does this, she gets all excited and then goes into some torpor like trance.  When he puts her back on the ground she goes "mad dog"...running all through the house, jumping and freaking out.  Hy.Ste Ri.Cal!

I spent the weekend cleaning house and doing laundry.  I did get to crochet a little bit. 
I needed to make myself a new coffee cozy because whenever I go to Starbucks for my SALTED CARAMEL HOT COCOA, the baristas covet them.   I've gotten quite a few free cups of hot cocoa by swapping out cozies.  (shhh...don't tell!)   

Anyway, I made this little owl cozy for myself and am NOT giving this one away!  I had a button that looked like a beak so that was the inspiration.  It's cuter in person but I was tired and didn't feel like figuring out the best way to photograph it.

I've posted cozies before and people have wanted a pattern.  I don't use patterns for these and am not a pattern writer but here is how I made it.  I am a "wing it as you go crocheter" so be warned!  I was cracking up as wrote this thinking how people that write patterns for a living must be neurotic.  (sorry June.)  I just do NOT have the patience!

Now that you've been warned, you need to assume that this pattern is for people who ALREADY know how to crochet so please, if you are a newbie, just google cozy patterns...there are plenty of free ones out there!  There are also a lot of them for sale on etsy and June has AMAZING patterns for sale.  Heck, just BUY the cozy and be done with it!

One more thing, my cozy fits a GRANDE size from Starbucks so that is where I started with the amount of chains needed.  It also has a total of 19 rows.  18 regular and 1 edge row.  
Work your own cozy according to the size you want, just work the appropriate amount of rows.  

In case you don't know all these stitches, I linked to June from Planet June.  The linked stitches are in italics. June is the BEST at tutorials on stitches!

                                                      Owl Cozy

Supplies: yarn, funky beak button, blunt needle to weave in ends, scissors

I used red heart yarn and an "I" hook.  Instead of a stitch marker, I used a bit of yarn to mark the beginning of each row.

Stitches you need to know:
slipknot
chain
single crochet (sc)
single crochet increase (inc)
single crochet decrease 
magic ring

This is crocheted "in the round" meaning you do NOT chain at the end of each row before turning. 

Make a slipknot and chain 22,  slip stitch to join into a circle.  It will be SNUG.  Do not let the circle turn. (okay, mine turn all the time but this is a cozy people.)

Get your stitch marker handy for working in rows, place it at the beginning of each row and move it as you work.

Row 1: work 1 sc into each chain around = 22 sc.
Row 2: work 1 sc in each sc around = 22 sc
Row 3: inc in 1st sc AND 11th sc but work 1 sc in the rest of the sc around = 24 sc.
Row 4: sc around= 24 sc
Row 5: inc in 1st and 12th sc but work 1 sc in the rest of the sc, around = 26 sc
Row 6: sc around = 26 sc
*Row 7-? (I suggest trying the cozy on every now and then for fit.)

*Now continue adding 2 increases every other row until your cozy is tall enough for you.  Just remember to do your increases opposite one another on the cozy.  Do this by counting stitches or by looking where your stitch marker is. (I'm lazy and just eyeball it.)   Do NOT cut your yarn because you have to make your edge. 

Slip your cozy on.  If the top is loose, you will need to plan to work in 1 or 2 decreases to tighten it up while working your finishing edge.  If it is NOT loose, the decrease will not be needed.

Finishing Edge: Keeping your hook in the last loop of the last sc you just worked, turn your hook so it will face the way you just came.  Now, sc BACK through the row you just worked.  If you need to tighten it, work 1-2 decreases evenly spaced.  This will give it a nice cupped edge at the top. 

Eyes (make 2 unless you want a cyclops)
Start with black
work 6 sc into a magic ring, pull tight
Row 1: work 2 sc into each sc =12 sc. (change to white yarn on 12th sc)
Row 2: work 2 sc into each sc around = 24 sc
leave long tail to sew onto cozy

Make it:
Sew both eyes on cozy
Sew beak down securely about halfway up between the eyes

Now, if it resembles an owl go to your local coffee shop and show it off. 

Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

I'm writing this letter to you early on behalf of my children.  I know it is unusual to do this but my kids are such great kids and I really want them to get what they want.  
(Some presents only Santa can bring so please do your best.)  
Again, my children have been good this year.  REALLY good this year.  As in the BEST this year.   

                   You are really lucky too because they don't want much at all!

Just one gift each so could you please bring them what they REALLY REALLY want?

 Kaela wants Chris Hemsworth.  Preferably in his Thor outfit (something about long hair and capes and hammers....)  
I've enclosed a photo so you don't accidentally bring her some guy dressed in a Thor costume, that just wouldn't do.

Matt wants a simple 1967 Ford Mustang, Fastback.    He didn't mention what color (darn, I'll have to ask him again and send you a follow up letter.)

Again, I've enclosed a photo to help you so there are no mistakes.  Also, I know you are a bit of a prankster but NO punking him, he wants the ACTUAL CAR, not a matchbox or model.

 Dear Santa,  thank you so much!  I know Christmas morning, my children will pop out of bed with anticipation of the knowledge that these wonderful gifts are on the way!

Love, Matt and Kaela's mom

PS.  I've been really good too this year

perception

Yesterday, Matt had an orthodontist appointment.  (His braces come OFF on December 14th!) 

When we walked into the office yesterday, they had their tree up.  
All three of us said, "Oh Neat!"that looks like a Who tree from the Grinch."  We all thought it was really fun and colorful and whimsical.  

About 15 minutes later, another family walked in, looked at the tree and said "Ew that looks like a Who tree."  with scrunched up faces and disgust in their voices!  

Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder!

Shelter gifts....

I dropped off my pet shelter goodies before Thanksgiving.    While there, I looked at some of the pets they have and couldn't help but get choked up.
I managed to take 21 pet beds in all this year....along with dental treats, toys, soaps, collars and food.

Don't forget you can always hand make toys like we did....and take in your used collars and leashes...they can always use them.

I look forward to doing this each year.  I was talking to a young man who was helping unload and mentioned that there seemed to be a lot of animals.  He said "Yep, but they'll all find homes." 
"Lots of good folks are coming in of late."  His being so matter of fact was reassuring.  He went on to say that more people are saying they can afford pets again.  That gives me hope that these little animals will have loving homes soon.

Please consider adoption the next time you get a new pet.....
   

"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals"-

Immanual Kant

crochet cocoon...

The last couple of weeks I worked on goodies for a baby gift for a teacher I work with.  She doesn't read my blog so I know she won't see this post.   
I crocheted a baby bear cocoon.    I've seen photos with these and they are so cute...here is a link to a page of them.

I put it on one of Kaela's dolls....hahaha!  kinda creepy on the doll but you get the idea.

I also made a teeny newborn beanie, a really large blanket and a hands free bathing towel.

The towel is by far the most "unglamorous" gift...but my favorite to make.  I've been making them for 18 years and they are always appreciated. 
I was tempted to make a terrycloth bathing apron instead but my kids talked me out of it.  They reminded me how special their bath towels were to them and said that aprons are for moms...towels are for kids.   Didn't take much to convince me, they are so much easier to make than an apron!   
Here is a link to my "tutorial" if you'd like to make one for someone you know. 

Today we were going to see my family but a virus has moved in amongst us and we can't take a chance of infecting them...so instead, we are going to hang out on the couch and watch movies....here is hoping you all have a great "after Thanksgiving" weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Today and everyday.......