A Day Off.....ahhh

Can you guess what I'm working on today??!! A perfect way to spend my "day off"! I'll tell you what they are when I get them done....bet you CAN guess! :)

Happy Monday!

Today I am Thankful For....

All of YOU who read this blog!! Truly, I didn't know if anyone would read my blog! So, you are a huge blessing to me and it makes me just thrilled to know y'all do look and read and maybe even enjoy things here a little. :)
I am also thankful today for EBAY!! I bought some neat yarn, early this week, that was a discontinued type that I needed for a pattern I found and really didn't want to sub another type. So!! I found the yarn and it got here yesterday! How fun! Now to make the soft lacy shawl it is for.
Hope y'all have a very Thankful Thursday!

Oh Dear

Well, it's Wednesday....late.... and I've missed my Tuesday post and today's post.
I have been sitting up at the Children's hospital with my sister while my nephew has surgery on his heart. A very long couple of days. So I'm sorry to have disappeared on you - my blog friends but I'll be back soon!! :)
Ok - here is a Tuesday Tip for you. :) When stocking your yarn travel bag....to take to occupy the time in the hospital waiting rooms....don't forget your scissors!!! Silly me! I finished a project but had no scissors to finish it off and my other project was a wrap....3 colors....changing rows....no scissors! So - don't forget the scissors! haha
Hoping y'all are having a splendid week. The sun is shining here and I've enjoyed getting out in it at least a little here and there.
Talk to you more soon. :)

Happy Valentine's Day

Just poppin' in to say Happy Valentine's Day to y'all!! :)

Spotlight Saturday

Since I have not had a chance to ask anyone to be the spotlight person/shop....I thought I'd just show off a few of my favorite items that I've found on Etsy. So many talented people there!
First of all I think these little flowers are TOO cute! They have been sitting there tempting me to snatch them up for about two weeks now. http://www.etsy.com/listing/65596126/spring-crochet-3d-flowers-set-of-four

These are from AngelHareForest on Etsy.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/AngelHareForest













This is one of my favorite bags from my friend at 3anniemouse3.
Such a fun button print and as I love to sew, too, this appeals to me on that end. Well, it could hold yarn so got that craft covered as well! http://www.etsy.com/listing/66701590/original-shopping-bag-tote  
http://www.etsy.com/shop/3anniemouse3?ref=pr_shop_more

And this vase is SO gorgeous!! Isn't it?!?! I just love it. Such neat colors and read how this lady makes this particular look - so interesting!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/66866084/flashy-raku-vase
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TwinMountainPottery?ref=seller_info









Well, that's the spotlight for this week. Hopefully, next Saturday I'll have someone in particular to Spotlight! :) Happy Saturday and I do hope your Sunday is blessed.

FUN FRIDAY

New idea for posts.....We'll see how I do! LOL
My husband has Mondays off so that will be my off day, too!
Tips and Tricks Tuesday -- Sharing little tidbits I've learned/gathered
Wool Gathering Wednesday -- whatever I think of that I'd like to share with my blogging friends
Thankfulness Thursday -- A day to be thankful for all we've been given.....yarn being one of my favorites! :)
Fun Friday -- Fun projects I'm working on or would like to try
Spotlight Saturday -- Hopefully, little blurbs about other crafty people (and I mean "crafty" in the best sense!)
I am hoping this will lend a little more structure to my blogging....as I am not a natural but really hope to improve and create posts that are both informative and interesting.
SO!! For the first official Fun Friday....First a fun fact.....
Where does mohair yarn come from?
And then on to my fun thing for the day. I am making a shawl....FOR ME!!! As many of you crochet and knitting folk know, we often do not keep many of our lovelies as they are made for friends and family gifts. Well, that would be me! I have made over 20 afghans and not kept one for me....ahem, well, my husband paid for one after a craft show...that wasn't quite finished....for me to keep - ISN'T HE GREAT?!?! - and it still isn't finished! But...SOMEDAY!! :) I have made oodles and oodles of doilies, scarves, hats, appliques, dish rags and so on and so forth and until recently, I hadn't kept much for myself. Well, shawls are my new thing as I've only ever made ponchos, so I decided what better way to get a feel for the patterns than to make one guinea pig shawl....for me! :) haha I am actually making it out of various "leftover" yarn from the ponchos I've made so it will be interesting in color combination but great for wearing around my house! I am using Lion Brand Homespun yarn scraps. It will at least be soft! I'll post a pic as soon as there is something to show. That is what I did today...no work...just fun. It was nice. :)

OK - mohair yarn - where does it come from? Goats! :) Sometimes other fiber is mixed in with it but the mohair part comes from the goat. Here is a little info that I found very interesting.
It is one of the oldest textile fibers in use. It is both durable and resilient. It is notable for its high luster and sheen, and is often used in fiber blends to add these qualities to a textile. Mohair also takes dye exceptionally well. Mohair is also warm as it has great insulating properties. It is durable, and resistant to moisture-wicking, stretch, flame and creases. It is considered to be a luxury fiber, like cashmere, angora and silk, and is usually more expensive than most wool that comes from sheep.
And here is a picture of Mr. Goat...who is in fact, an angora goat. :) Cute huh?! Wonder if my hubby would let me have one!!! :) NOT!

Just for Fun

This pic doesn't do the blanket justice! Arg!

 Well, we got hit with the cold again this week. Not that I'm complaining....I have totally enjoyed staying in, drinking my hot coffee and working on all the heavy crochet that is not so easy to do when the temps get above 100! :) Anyway, I just took a couple pics of various projects that are in the works. Yes, I'm one of those types with several projects started at one time. LOL  I do have high hopes of having at least 3 of those finished this week! Yay! What have y'all been up to during these chilly cold days?

Heart rug, Valentine scarf....

poncho order...such gorgeous colors!

Grannies!!!

yarn!! yarn!! yarn!!

Today

Hello Blog Friends!! :)
Tonight I have been working on some cute little hats I am making for Easter brooches. I want to make some teeny weeny flowers to put on the hats but so far haven't figured out how to make a flower teeny tiny enough!! It's frustrating when you have an idea in the head and can't make the thread and fingers "DO IT"!! :) Hopefully, I'll get it figured out soon and then I'll post some pics. The rain (possible snow) and cold temps are coming back to North Texas tonight. I'm hoping I don't have to drive on ice tomorrow to work. We shall see!
Good night, friends! And stay warm!

Stretching My Wings

Ok - so after almost more than 30 years of crochet I am feeling the urge to try different yarns than I am accustomed to. So far, honestly, I have purchased most of my yarn from my local Hobby Lobby store. It is a wonderful place and they have a great variety but I'm seeing so many more options now!! And, of course, I can't resist yarn....any kind....any color!!!
So - what is your favorite yarn and where do you get it?

Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Yarny Stuff

I just couldn't resist trying to get a good picture of a few of my latest yarny projects! OH!! I miss my camera! My sweet son is letting me use his until I am able to replace mine but it just doesn't take pics like mine did. However! I just had to try. :) I've started a blanket for my couch. No money to replace the couch...sad - but comfy :) - old couch needs a face lift. So, I decided to make a bright colorful cover for it. We'll see how long it takes me but at least it's a start! I want to re-decorate my living room and figured it has to start somewhere....baby steps! haha!
I got the idea for this blanket from a lovely blog I found by accident....Lucy calls this a Granny Stripe. I love it! http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/ And I love her blog....such bright pretty colors! It's inspiring and helps me to see what I'd like to make things look like around here. Oh, to have my hard wood floors back...miss those, too. We shall see what sort of color changes I am able to make around here this year! Exciting!

I'm also working on a scarf for Valentine's Day. It is so sweet and has the illusion of little bitty hearts in it's spaces.
Hope y'all stay cozy on this chilly February day!

Winter Wasn't Quite Done

This is what it looked like outside my front door today. Crazy! I don't remember this much ice on the streets since I was a kid! I could just get my ice skates out and play - the ice is thick enough!