Footloose, but fancy free?

Finally, I have another project completed about which I can post. There has been such a drought. It's not that I haven't been working on knitting or crocheting, I just haven't finished anything! That is, until today.

I am happy to present a pair of Footloose Lacey Tube Socks that I made for my youngest dd. They are made with worsted weight yarn (I used Caron Simply Soft) and are to be used with her boots when she plays in the snow.

The pattern was a free Pattern of the Day from Annie's Attic. So, if you missed it and want to get it now, you need to buy it at e-PatternsCentral.com for $1.29 (US).

I'm making another pair for my oldest, but in purple - her favorite color.

T'was the Night Before Christmas for Crocheters

'Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
There was unfinished crocheting not under the tree,
The stockings weren't hung by the chimney with care
'Cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
But I had not finished the caps for their heads.
Dad was asleep-he was no help at all.
And the sweater for him was 6" too small.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I put down my hook to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash.
Tripped over my yarn and fell down in my stash.

The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow
Reminded me how far I still had to go.
When out on the lawn I heard such a noise,
I was sure it would wake up both Dad and the boys.

And although I was tired-my brain a bit thick,
I knew in a moment that it must be St Nick.
Yet what I heard left me very perplexed
For nothing I heard was what I expected.

"Move Rowan! Move Patons! Move Koigu and Clover!
Move Shelridge! Move Starmore! Move Spinrite! Move over!
Lopi, don't circle around, just stand there in line.
Pay attention you sheep and you'll work out just fine!

I know this is hard as it's just your first year
But I'd hate to go back to 8 tiny reindeer."
I peered over the sill. What I saw was amazing:
Eight wooly sheep on my lawn all a-grazing!

And then in a twinkle, I heard at the door
Santa's big boots stomping on the porch floor.
I rose from my knees and got back on my feet.
As I turned around, St Nick I did meet.

He was dressed all in wool from his head to his toe
And his clothes were hand crochet from above to below.
A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back.
And his toys were all stuffed in an Aran crochet sack.

His hat was a wonder of bobbles and lace
A beautiful frame for his rosy red face.
The scarf on his neck could have stretched for a mile,
And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.

On the back of his mitts was an intricate cable.
And suddenly on one I spotted a small label:
"S.C." in duplicate on the cuff.
So I asked, "Hey, Nick, did YOU crochet all this stuff?"

He proudly replied, "Ho, ho, ho, yes I did.
I learned how to crochet when I was just a kid."
He was chubby and plump, a well dressed old man,
And I laughed to myself, for I'd thought up a plan.

I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,
And the next thing he knew, he was tied to a chair.
He spoke not a word, but looked down in his lap
Where I had laid my crochet hook and yarn for a cap.

He began then to crochet, first one cap then 2 -
For the first time I thought I might really get through.
He put heels in the stockings and toes in some socks,
While I sat back drinking a scotch on the rocks.

Quickly like magic his hooks they flew,
Good Grief! He was finished by two!
He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
And over his shoulder he looked back at me.
I heard him explain as he sailed past the moon,
"Next year, start your crocheting sometime around JUNE!"


~ Author Unknown ~

A Crafty Update - Finally!

I have finally finished a craft project. It seemed like everything I have been doing was just 'in progress"!

The first image is of a matryoshka set. My oldest daughter and I created it. From the outside in, it is King Tut, Queen Cleopatra, Anubis, The Eye of Ra, a mummy and an anhk. It is a Christmas present for my bil.

The second image is of a papercraft bald eagle that I made as a gift for my sil & bil. You can find the link to create your own at Canon Papercraft. I took the picture next to a can of soda, so it would have some scale. The end result is about 2 1/2 feet from wing tip to wing tip.

Ouch! A Sharp Idea....

I just love the CRAFT magazine newsletter. I see the most interesting works.

Here is my favorite of the latest. I'll need to try this sometime.

Sharpening Pin Cushion



Don't spill too much blood using one of these!

Flowers, Flowers, Everywhere

These pics are of Moms doing. She made 180 small crochet flowers for centerpieces for the conference.

She was inspired by a pattern, but then made modifications herself. To go along with the flowers, she made backs to hide the "mechanics" and leaves. So, that's 540 crocheted items. Busy bee, wasn't she?

Eat Your Veggies. Now.

I finally am able to put up a picture of the garden veggies I made for the conference. The only exception are the carrots, which Mom made.

This display was in front of the podium at the head table.

The cauliflower and the bumblebee are my own design. Everything else was borrowed from Alan Dart (ladybugs); Corn and Tomatoes, with some slight variations, from Garden Variety via MagKnits; Small Onion by Catherine Lindsay; and the Pumpkin by Magenta Lizard

The Truth about Global Warming: There is none

A good friend of mine from PR had this on her blog and I feel strongly enough about it that I am including the link here as well.

Global Warming and the Price of a Gallon of Gas