The Lil Hat Shack

Two thousand miles and one left turn......

listening to:  Sugarland -  'Baby Girl'

And there are fancy cars and diamond rings,
But you know that they don't mean a thing,
They all add up to nothin' compared to you.

Hello New Year.  Hello 2008.

Its been a busy New Years Day - had the beans in the crockpot (pinto - no black eyed peas) and a Law & Order marathon on for a little while - got lots of knitting done this weekend and New Years Day.  I finished the fidget from one sheep hill.  What a fast little knit this was.  I loved working on it - I used Lorna's Laces shepherd bulky in color gold hill.  I changed the pattern just a tic on the end and added a little picot edging on the end.  Really happy with the twisted moss stitch pattern and its oh so forgiving - when I forgot which row I was on and just winged it. 

I also am working on some other knits - here's the Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Gifts....and this scarf would never be 'a last minute gift' as its knit on size 3 circs...and also at a turtles pace.  I bought this little hand-dyed cotton yarn in McKinney and was going to use it for socks - but I have yet to try socks.

Also working on another scarf from Louisa Harding's book Gathering roses - this is the wide lace scarf made in Caron Pizazz - about 10 skeins that I found at Michaels for $1.00 each - great find.  I have about a skein and a half to go - then blocking and finished.

I'll post a blocking pic of this hopefully by the end of the week so the lace pattern comes through - its really a great pattern and a wonderful book.  While I was Michaels I had a few coupons to use for after Christmas and opted to pass on the red and green decor and go for some crochet and knitting accessories - here's some great bags that I picked up and I dig the color combinations too - they are by 'knitpickers' and they were very reasonable.

FInally I wanted to show off this adorable ornament my sis Lisa got for me - its one of my favorite gifts - i'm keeping it out year round!  His little tag says 'knotty or nice?' - very cute - he's got lots of knit to work on too!

I've got crochet in the works too - but i'll post about that in the next few days or so.  Just wanted to get a New Years Post out there.  I don't plan on making any real resolutions this year - just maybe be a better person, daughter, sister, aunt and friend.  Also stop gambling at work (yikes - new Survivor is coming up) and be more tolerant of foreigners.....or should I just say folks that are different from me.  Especially on the road. 

Looking back on the past year, I will say that I learned alot about myself and others.  I found out that you can't change people - no matter how long you've known them.  I also learned more about loss this year than I have in my whole lifetime.  I learned that turning 40 isn't the end of the world....just the end of your thirties. 

Here's to your New Year - hope, health and happiness to all of you!  God Bless!

And the drummer's been draggin'

listening to:  Jack Ingram -  'Goodnight Moon'

Goodnight moon, goodnight stars
Goodnight old broke down cars
I'm going away, I'm leaving soon
Goodnight darlin' - Goodnight moon

Farewell Christmas, Farewell 2007. 

I drove to see my folks on Saturday in the midst of this....

Later that day we drove to Guthrie and watched a Territorial Christmas at the Pollard Theatre.  By the time we came out it was a blistery cold snow.  They canceled our trolley ride because of too many wrecks in town, so after we had dinner we headed home down the 45 mile old 2-lane hilly highway.  It took us an hour and 20 minutes driving 35-40 mph.  My folks got a new honda pilot this year and man did it handle well. 

Later that night I helped the lovely JoHannah to create this.  I was merely an organizer of candies and frosting, she did all the work and it turned out super cute!                            

My sister and her family made it up to OK on Christmas day and we opened gifts and had a really good time.  My only handmade gift was a hit with my mother - it was a beautiful ribbon scarf (Louisa Harding's pattern from 'Gathering Roses') in color copper penny.  I can't believe I don't have a picture - but i'll have my mom send me one.  I got lots of nice gifts - a beautiful cameo pin from an Antique Store and Martha Stewart pots and pans from Macys.  My sister got me a book i've been wanting for a while....Louisa Harding's knitting little luxuries - LOVE IT!  Later that night, my mom gave me another cameo - this one was my great grandma Eva Lee's...my great aunt Jennie brought it back from Europe and when Eva Lee died it went to my grandma Mae.  Then after she passed, to my mother who almost ruined it by leaving it in ring cleaner - but its still beautiful.  Now I have a cameo that belonged to each of my grandmothers.  Also, dad and I went up to grandma and grandpa's house to check things out - they've started dividing up their stuff....and I got something very special.  A handmade flannel quilt made by my great grandma Mallonee that my grandmother used in the winter to keep her warm.  Also a tiny silver bell that my grandparents gave to their 8th grade school teacher for her 50th wedding anniversary.  She in turn returned it to them on theirs...its a great story and a darling little tarnished bell.     I drove home on Wednesday in the midst of this....luckily my BIL decided to ride home with me and drove most the way.

Let me just end the post with a pic of baby blanket and hat I made for a friend of work who's wife is having a baby anytime.  Its made out of Bernat's Denim in rodeo because it's super soft.  Its a big granny square with a double crochet and reverse single crochet border.  There is an espresso colored grossgrain ribbon running through the double crochet.  Matching hat with reverse single crochet border and matching ribbon.   It was one of those mindless crochet's that you don't have to really think about and so soft, I wanted to make one for me. 

Goodnight all you crocheters!

And the snow-white cotton grows......

listening to:  Gene Autry-  'Oklahoma Hills'

              While the oak and blackjack trees
              Kiss the playful prairie breeze,
              In those Oklahoma hills where I was born.

On November 14, 2007, my grandpa, Ervin Wallace passed away in his sleep.  He was 89 years, 3 months and 21 days.  They believe his heart just gave out.  I think so too - I think it ached too much for my grandma.  He told us after her funeral in May that he wouldn't be here much longer, I didn't believe him.  The preacher said that at grandmas funeral as he stood beside my grandpa next to her casket - he heard grandpa say....'Don't walk too fast, Nellie'.  I don't think she did.  Just like her, he died peacefully in his bed in their little house in the country in rural Oklahoma.   He was a big man, my dad said he had a body made for work, large frame, huge hands and forearms as big as tree trunks. He was a simple man, loved to chew redman tobacco and play the harmonica.  He knew everybody and his mind was sharp as a tack even til the end.  He loved to sit around and tell stories to his sons and family, too many stories that we will never be able to retell in our lifetime.  This photo is one I cropped from their wedding picture taken in 1939.  He's very handsome and when my dad was young - he looked just like him.

I can't believe they won't be here this Christmas.....we always went to their house on Christmas Eve, cousins, grandkids, great-grandkids.  But i'm thankful they are together.  One of the hardest things to comprehend for me and I don't know why is that I can't pick up a phone and just call them at 2668 like I have all my life.  I couldn't celebrate Thanksgiving....I just stayed home.  I didn't feel like putting out my Christmas decor - finally I bought a tabletop tree and have plugged it in once.  I just want this year to be over.  This has been the hardest year of my life and I think probably the hardest for my dad too.  He's not an emotional person, but I can tell he misses them alot.   Thank God for grandkids for him...they are a great distraction - especially now since Christmas is coming.

Here is one of my favorite pictures of them together - taken at Christmas 2005......

I've been working on lots of knit and crochet - i'll post pics in a while.  Just wanted to get this one out there. I look forward to 2008 - going to finally get out of the apartment and purchase a home and taking a class in January on 'how to start your own business'.  Yep, 2008 will be a year for firsts.  Take Care everyone and have a wonderful Holiday.  Call your Grandparents - I bet they'd love to hear from you!

              While the oak and blackjack trees
              Kiss the playful prairie breeze,
              In those Oklahoma hills where I was born.

Hell, its raining, but at least that's something real...

listening to:  Nanci Griffith - West Texas Sun

Sorrow come and gone
We have to let them slip away
Because I'm standing here today
Smiling at your old West Texas sun

Another Saturday has come and gone by too. We're going to get pelted with more rain tomorrow. At least its cooling off a little in the evenings and at least the rain subsided this morning long enough for me to get my new sofa home safe and sound. I have absolutely no room for it - but I just couldn't pass it up - such a deal. Brand new queen sleeper sofa retails for $900 - I picked it up a work sample sale for $100. The sleeper mattress is missing but I can easily buy some 5" foam to make up for it for the time being. Here's a pic.

Not a great pic - but its really cute and it will look great in my new house the one i'm going to buy in 3 months - once I decide exactly what part of north texas I really want to live in. I'd love to stay in my neighborood - but unfortuantely, can't afford a home - only my apartment that i've outgrown over the years. This week, I felt the need to get back to some crocheting and decided on the All American afghan.

Just making it out of my favorite cotton yarns (Bernat 100% & Lionbrand cotton - a little red Hook and a lotta love!)  all very inexpensive and I love the way the cotton yarn afghans drape.  Each stripe section is about 3" wide.  I think it will look great across an old porch swing or maybe a little wicker settee....which I have neither, oh drad  - but wait - there's a 40% off HL coupon in this mornin's email....hope springs eternal! 

Also this weekend I decided to organize some Christmas knitting gifts.  I'm going to make this Christmas Tree skirt from Handknit Holidays for my mom.

Hopefully, I can have it finished by her birthday which is the end of September.  If anyone out there in knitterland has attempted this little skirt and has any pointers, i'd love to read them before I cast on later today.

Early last week, I received Teva Durham's latest crochet book.  She's a mad crochet designer and I love her - she's my fave...because she's totally out there.  Bought it off Amazon for $18.15 and was able to get free ship.  Oh, so worth it.  Teva - I know you'll never read this - but you are tops on my list of crochet designers I idolize and someday hope to be!
This little number will be tops on my list as I LOVE it!This little number will be tops on my list as I LOVE it!

I think I like this book better than Loop-D-Loop, mainly because the models in that book scare me just a little.  They look like they've just stepped out of some Turkish women's prison or something.

Well, that's all the news that's fit to print.  Gonna run and check out the latest houses for sell in my neighborhood, knowing darn well I can't afford them.  I have to move about 10 miles up the road for a little house, a single girl can afford.  I LOVE this neighborhood and want to stay so bad, especially since I have 5 Sonics within 3 miles of me in every direction.  Oh and one of the most important reasons....the New Hobby Lobby and Sprouts being built just 1 mile up the road. 

Have a great Sunday all you crocheters, knitters, homebuyers, apartment dwellers and HL enthusiasts!

oopsy - I almost forgot something so important...so here's a mini post add-on.  My lil nephew Ben, who's an artist in his own right loves pokemon!  I'm sure other mothers and aunts alike can relate.  He and his brother's were over one night and Ben began to draw his normal poke figures, etc.... and I heard him tell one of his brothers - here's you Joey as a pokemon...and I said - "well draw me as a pokemon!"  And so he did.  And here I am, an official pokemon, the PETENITTI.  He named me too!
I love it - its so Ben and so me with that ball of yarn on the top of my head....although I usually keep it at my feet.  Have a good one all you pokemon knitters out there!

There's compromises, I can't comprehend....

listening to:  Shawn Colvin -  'Wild Country'

Breaking rocks all day on the avenue
its hard to unearth anything thats true
Soon i'm gonna loose these rags and run
returning to the wild where i'm from

Just returned from a 4 day Oklahoma trip to celebrate Father's Day and lil JoJo's 11th birthday. So little JoHannah opened her gifts from me on Friday night when I got there - because she can't wait til Sunday to open anything. Here's a pic of her gifts and she actually loved them. A framed print by artist - Little Black Apple and a Lil Granny Square blanket made by me. Made from 100% cotton yarns using 5 colors and the border in cathedral lace edging. Easy, quick and beautiful - right down my alley.

She looked so pretty on her birthday - actually in 'girl' clothes finally - and poppy - he enjoyed my gift basket of wines, a framed pic of his folks and some Harry & David Chocolates. I think it was a good holiday all around. Father's Day after church, I took mom, dad, Ben and Jakie out to lunch and then there was a 'family' thing at my grandpa's in the afternoon. My mom made chocolate sheath cake and we had homemade ice cream - it was alot of fun, but bittersweet knowing when you turn down those old country backroads knowing grandma won't be there. Well not in physical form anyway, because she's everywhere at that old house - especially outside whenever I look at that porch swing, I can see her sitting in it.

On one of my last visits with her after Easter we went through her crochet basket - she had one potholder she had been working on for the family reunion auction that she wasn't able to finish, so I finished it for her. My grandpa gave that to me this trip, along with a cameo brooch from her jewelry box and something else very special.....her beloved crochet hook that her father, James W Mallonee made for her mother, Martha Ann Miller Mallonee - handed down to my grandmother, and now to me. I wouldn't want to guess on its age - but they (James W and Martha Ann) were married in 1897 and both died around 1967. So I know its probably 50-75 years old. Its old, wooden, whittled and worn and its one of the most wonderful gifts I could have ever received and i'm so thankful today.

Goodnight all you crocheters - I wish you sweet dreams of worn hooks too someday.

Breaking rocks all day on the avenue
its hard to unearth anything thats true
Soon i'm gonna loose these rags and run
returning to the wild where i'm from

The fairest bloom the mountain knows....

listening to:  Gillian Welch -  'Acony Bell'

Just a simple flower so small and plain
With a pearly hue and a little known name
But the yellow birds sing when they see it bloom
For they know that spring is coming soon

On May 24, 2007 at 10:30am my grandmother lost her battle with liver cancer. They discovered it last Christmas, they gave her a year. It took 5 months. She was 88 years, 3 months and one day. She loved to crochet, sew, quilt, bake and visit with her family. She read her Bible daily and had a strong unwavering faith in God. She was married to my grandpa for 68 years and he held her hand as she took her last breath, peacefully in her bed in their little house in the country in rural Oklahoma. She was such a simple woman, but she was everything to me. I have so many memories of her - too many too list - see my post last year on her birthday to read more. I saw her on Mother's Day and when I left - I bent down to kiss her goodbye, she took my face in her hands and we looked at eachother and I knew I would never see her again. As all the family was gathered comforting eachother and telling their favorite memories, my grandpa told that after they were married they were dirt poor. Their house was an old barn and she wanted a haircut - so he cut it for her. She had waves and he cut them too short and she cried. He felt so bad, they walked 3 miles into town, sold a hen for a quarter and got her a real haircut.

I made a video of her pictures to music they played at her funeral...here's just the first part of her younger years, if you would like to look. Its about 3 minutes long. My grandma Nellie Soon things will get back to normal, this year has been filled with family and friends in poor health and I hope they all find some ease soon. Take care everyone.

Just a simple flower so small and plain
With a pearly hue and a little known name
But the yellow birds sing when they see it bloom
For they know that spring is coming soon

Did an angel whisper in your ear....

listening to:  Lucinda WIlliams -  'Lake Charles'

We used to drive
Thru Lafayette and Baton Rouge
In a yellow El Camino
Listening to Howling Wolf

Well so sorry for the lapse in blogging...March has been a busy busy month.  End of March my sister turned 43 - hard to believe - she looks great - I treated her to Chzcake Factory for her birthday and we ate and ate and ate.  The waitress was so good - our celebratory cheesecake - they wrote happy birthday in chocolate icing in lieu of the standard...singing quartet of waiters in white.  Here's the birthday girl....

I also took the day off on the 30th and we went to Canton for a girls day out of shopping - shopping - shopping.  It was cool weather, but it had rained buckets the night before so it was pretty muddy out there.  We each had lists and I managed to get everything on mine...except for the peanut brittle.  We left around 7:15am - and got back in time to pick up her boys from school.  Here's some of my finds....

A great dress form - just a little chachke.....

This cabinet holds all my crocks...see

The following Sunday - I decided to trek down to the The Shabby Sheep in the historic arts distric - downtown Dallas.  It only took about 20 minutes to drive down, but then I got a little lost with all the one way streets - but I finally found it.  It was in a tiny 1930's restored cottage - but man was it SMALL.  When you walk in the front door - there is yarn everywhere (yeah!)...but there was a large table that took up most of the front room and full of knitters - so you really couldn't get around them to view that yarn.  I did browse their clearance yarns and also sock yarns.  I came home with the following....1 skein of madelinetosh superwash merino sock yarn in the colorway 'vintage apron'...here's her website - I LOVE this yarn!  Madeline Tosh Website - she's a yarnist from Ft. Worth, I hadn't heard of her before - but am totally diggin her colorways.  I also bought a Royal ball winder...Love that too!   Been having lots of fun with that.  3 balls of Phoenix Soy Silk from SW Trading Company...in colorway phoenix red.  These were 40% off - well worth it.  Lastly - Louisa Harding's accessory pattern book - she's my favorite designer!  Here's my swag...

Although the shop was super small - I did have fun shopping there...I stayed about an hour and the folks there were very helpful. 

In other news...my beloved grandma has cancer.  Stage 4 GB cancer in her liver.  I'm not really in the state of mind to go on about it  - just thought that our families boughts with illness were over and then this news.  So i'll sign off tonight in hopes that all your beloved little lovelies are healthy, happy and at home tonight.  God Bless!  Almost forgot - Happy 66th birthday daddy!  I love you!

Goodnight all you crocheters, knitters and fiber art makers.  Garde Tous Bien!

We used to drive
Thru Lafayette and Baton Rouge
In a yellow El Camino
Listening to Howling Wolf

Well so sorry for the lapse in blogging...March has been a busy busy month.  End of March my sister turned 43 - hard to believe - she looks great - I treated her to Chzcake Factory for her birthday and we ate and ate and ate.  The waitress was so good - our celebratory cheesecake - they wrote happy birthday in chocolate icing in lieu of the standard...singing quartet of waiters in white.  Here's the birthday girl....

I also took the day off on the 30th and we went to Canton for a girls day out of shopping - shopping - shopping.  It was cool weather, but it had rained buckets the night before so it was pretty muddy out there.  We each had lists and I managed to get everything on mine...except for the peanut brittle.  We left around 7:15am - and got back in time to pick up her boys from school.  Here's some of my finds....

A great dress form - just a little chachke.....

This cabinet holds all my crocks...see

The following Sunday - I decided to trek down to the The Shabby Sheep in the historic arts distric - downtown Dallas.  It only took about 20 minutes to drive down, but then I got a little lost with all the one way streets - but I finally found it.  It was in a tiny 1930's restored cottage - but man was it SMALL.  When you walk in the front door - there is yarn everywhere (yeah!)...but there was a large table that took up most of the front room and full of knitters - so you really couldn't get around them to view that yarn.  I did browse their clearance yarns and also sock yarns.  I came home with the following....1 skein of madelinetosh superwash merino sock yarn in the colorway 'vintage apron'...here's her website - I LOVE this yarn!  Madeline Tosh Website - she's a yarnist from Ft. Worth, I hadn't heard of her before - but am totally diggin her colorways.  I also bought a Royal ball winder...Love that too!   Been having lots of fun with that.  3 balls of Phoenix Soy Silk from SW Trading Company...in colorway phoenix red.  These were 40% off - well worth it.  Lastly - Louisa Harding's accessory pattern book - she's my favorite designer!  Here's my swag...

Although the shop was super small - I did have fun shopping there...I stayed about an hour and the folks there were very helpful. 

In other news...my beloved grandma has cancer.  Stage 4 GB cancer in her liver.  I'm not really in the state of mind to go on about it  - just thought that our families boughts with illness were over and then this news.  So i'll sign off tonight in hopes that all your beloved little lovelies are healthy, happy and at home tonight.  God Bless!  Almost forgot - Happy 66th birthday daddy!  I love you!

Goodnight all you crocheters, knitters and fiber art makers.  Garde Tous Bien!

You wear sandals in the snow...

listening to:  Sarah McLachlan -  'River'

I'm going to make a lot of money
Then I'm going to quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

Its a calm Sunday mid-morning.  Chilly today again, but no wind like the last few days and nothing like last weekend that seemed reminiscent of the dust bowl days....here a pic - for a moment, I thought I was back in '30's Oklahoma...or maybe some scene from Carnivale.  This was taken about 3pm on Saturday, Feb 24 as I stopped for gas in the midst of it all.

My trip to NY was so fast and crazy.  We landed Tuesday night and there was till lots of snow on the ground, our hotel was in Tarrytown which was about 45 minutes away.  My BIL's surgery the next morning went very well and by that afternoon he was making jokes in recovery.  The hospital was the Westchester County Medical Center and its a fairly old building, Charlie got excellent care.  He had to share a room with another patient.  I was shocked at how filthy the waiting rooms were but chocked it up to the 'oldness' of the hospital.  Right behind the hospital is a Federal Prison for women - we saw two prisoners walked through the hall in handcuffs - they were older women, and one of the nurses told us they were probably there getting dialysis.  That was Wednesday.  Thursday, my sister and I made a super quick trip Scarsdale so I could visit this yarn store...Sticks and Strings, I only had about 5 minutes to spend so I just grabbed some yarn, a few souvenirs and another magazine (a must for the plane trip home).  By the way, the ladies in the store were very nice to me...thank you!

Here's my stash of Lorna's laces and souvs....

aren't the little sweaters so cute...their keychains - but I can see them as little Christmas tree ornaments.  Looks like they are made from crochet thread, or from floss.  The color of the LL is called Gold Hill.  I wish we had more time to stay in Scarsdale, because it was so adorable...looked like a little Dutch community, which maybe it was once, not sure. 

Here's a view of the snow Friday morning from the lobby of our hotel - (Courtyard Marriot Tarrytown - I highly recommend, staff was super nice and a cute guy working the front desk told me about Sticks and Strings). 

I stayed in the lobby some, they had a lovely fireplace, sat drank wine and crocheted to pass the time in the evenings.  Friday night we (my sister and I) were scheduled to fly back to Texas, flight leaving at 4:50pm - but alas, its the Northeast and a storm was brewing.  That morning, once again in the lobby drinking coffee and checking work emails, watching the local news - which is always a trip when you travel.  How odd the newscasters seem since your not used to them.  My BIL was worried we wouldn't be able to get back to Texas so he wanted us to take an earlier flight, he was scheduled to fly back next Thursday.  We decided that would be best, called for a car and in 10 minutes we both left him in Tarrytown in the care of his mother, I won't go there - won't mention how his sister treated my sister - will just say - that's going to be a sore subject with her for many many years to come.  I wanted to get more pics of NYC, but wasn't able to, our driver was flying down the expressway and we made it to LGA in 35 mintues.  Unloaded and was at the AA counter at 10:40am - clicking 'standby' on the 11:10am flight to Dallas.  Got through security at 11:05, ran to the gate and one other lady and man were also waiting standby.  We were about to board, when the agent recvd a call saying a party of 6 was stuck in security - so we waited and she put us on the next standby flight.  Luckily, another agent came down and said 'I don't see anybody running from security' - put these standbys on...and we made it - sat right in the front together too.  By 11:20am we were in the air and heading home.  It was a memorable trip, the hospital, the yarnstore, all his relatives - they were all nice to me.  Forgot to mention on Wednesday night as we tried to make it back to the hotel in Tarrytown, we missed a turn and ended up in Yonkers.  Where a couple of NYC's finest (or Yonkers finest) directed us back to Tarrytown.  They were good looking to boot.  Here's my last pic of NY out the car window enroute to LGA.  Would love to go again next year to same area and maybe stay in Scarsdale or Dobbs Ferry.

A 4 hour plane ride home is a great way to catch up on crochet - so here's how the granny square coverlet is coming along...its definitely getting there.  My sister said she loved the colors - said it reminded her of vintage colors...which sets perfectly for me, as i'm surely one who loves the old better than the new.  Probably about 15 more rows and i'll be ready for the knit edging.  I went to our library yesterday and had them do an IBL for Candi Jensen's Knitting loves crochet - where she has a great edging for s similar granny square afghan.  The librarian asked me about potential books to get for the library...I said - lots of new and updated crochet and knitting books and she said 'no problem'.  Its a brand new 4 floor library with a cafe in the bottom - I just wish it was open later, i'm actually thinking of volunteering there once a month.

After we landed and got back to my sisters home, I got to see my folks for a couple days who were down from Oklahoma taking care of Lisa & Charlie's boys while we were in NY.  My dad was taking them to a new local bookstore called the Bookworm, so I tagged along and bought a cute little book called 'Knitters Lib'. 

I did pay $20, full price but its worth it to support your local bookstore and since I always buy my other books at Joanns with a 40-50% off coupon.  In Knitters Lib - she has the most amazing patterns on decorating crocs see the front cover.  They are so ADORABLE and i'm not exaggerating - she uses tools like exacto knives and leather punches to create designs in rubber garden clogs.  Its amazing, then she takes crochet flowers, and edging etc and applies that to the holes.  I can go on and on.  The other book 200 ripple stitches...I bought with a coupon at Joanns on Friday.  I love all the ripples going on across the different blogs, so I thought I would start one for my niece JoHannah who is turning 11 (ouch) in June.  I liked the basic ripple, but think i've decided on the granny square ripple...so I spent a little time Friday night making some swatches...

I was going for different colors, but finally had to turn to my favorite knitter author, Lucinda Guy for help...her book Handknit for Kids is one I pull out over and over again to look at her color combinations.  I think I have it narrowed down to two...

glacier blue, soft pinks, red, cream and willow green...then there is this one...

which is glacier blues, reds, soft pinks and cream.  Lucinda Guy has such an eye for color...I love her patterns and combinations.  I think I like the second one...but i'm also toying with neopolitan colors.  If she had her way, (JoHannah) she'd have it in her school colors, orange, white and black.  But I can't bring myself to go that direction for such a cute little girly room....maybe if she had it decorated in locker room style...ooops I shouldn't give her any ideas.

Lastly, i've been shopping a little on Etsy...and my purchases came in the mail this week.  I'm so in love with the talent out there...especially these little prints from the black apple - i'm in awe of her artistic ability!!!  I love these prints, they remind me of JoHannah.  I bought these two to frame and put in my craft room, but she has one one that I'm going to buy and frame for Jo's birthday.  Its the little wolf girl..if your browsing her shop.  Here's my swag...

And also from Etsy..these lovely stitchmarkers, which are so cute, fun and priced affordably...love them!

They are from Etsy artisan...dragonlady and she is a Texan too!  I highly recommend both.

Its almost time for lil Ben's birthday party - be turned 9, but i'll write more about him tonight maybe.  Its a rock climbing party...humh, think i'll just watch and have a starbucks or something. 

Okay - skip ahead 8 hours...and the party is over - it was alot of fun...3 hours of rock climbing (for the kids, none for the auntie) one kid asked Ben...is that your grandma?  I said - hello, im in my 30's do I look like his grandma...and he said - uh, no lady...that's right kid, i'm his aunt and the younger sister too!  Ben had so much fun and so did his naughty older twin brothers.  Here's a pic of the birthday boy...on just one of his many climbs today. 

Happy Birthday, your an artist, knitter, duel master trader, bowler and my lil sweetheart - I love you!

Also this weekend, I found an old door to one of my little mission style bookshelves and decided to make a little TV stand, the door and some wooden finials - that I painted berry red and screwed the finials into the base to work as feet and I like the outcome...here's my makeshift tv stand to get it off my dresser.....cost .39 for new sponge paintbrush. 

And another left over project i've been working on since NY is a loden green cardigan, that i'm going to change up the sleeves and the bottom a little - i'll try and find the pic - its a Donna Rutledge pattern, called Ophelia Bolero that I bought off ebay - I like her patterns, easy to follow. 

I'm using woolease in loden for a cheap alternative and also trying to destash - I just need to finish the back and add arms (3/4 bells) and then figure out how to edge...I think I want a little picot or ruffle - not sure yet. 

This cold is really starting to do me in - i'm headed for a nice long soak and to bed by 9:30pm. 

Good night all you crocheters. knitters, rock climbers and birthday boys.  Garde Tous Bien!

I'm going to make a lot of money
Then I'm going to quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

Its a calm Sunday mid-morning.  Chilly today again, but no wind like the last few days and nothing like last weekend that seemed reminiscent of the dust bowl days....here a pic - for a moment, I thought I was back in '30's Oklahoma...or maybe some scene from Carnivale.  This was taken about 3pm on Saturday, Feb 24 as I stopped for gas in the midst of it all.

My trip to NY was so fast and crazy.  We landed Tuesday night and there was till lots of snow on the ground, our hotel was in Tarrytown which was about 45 minutes away.  My BIL's surgery the next morning went very well and by that afternoon he was making jokes in recovery.  The hospital was the Westchester County Medical Center and its a fairly old building, Charlie got excellent care.  He had to share a room with another patient.  I was shocked at how filthy the waiting rooms were but chocked it up to the 'oldness' of the hospital.  Right behind the hospital is a Federal Prison for women - we saw two prisoners walked through the hall in handcuffs - they were older women, and one of the nurses told us they were probably there getting dialysis.  That was Wednesday.  Thursday, my sister and I made a super quick trip Scarsdale so I could visit this yarn store...Sticks and Strings, I only had about 5 minutes to spend so I just grabbed some yarn, a few souvenirs and another magazine (a must for the plane trip home).  By the way, the ladies in the store were very nice to me...thank you!

Here's my stash of Lorna's laces and souvs....

aren't the little sweaters so cute...their keychains - but I can see them as little Christmas tree ornaments.  Looks like they are made from crochet thread, or from floss.  The color of the LL is called Gold Hill.  I wish we had more time to stay in Scarsdale, because it was so adorable...looked like a little Dutch community, which maybe it was once, not sure. 

Here's a view of the snow Friday morning from the lobby of our hotel - (Courtyard Marriot Tarrytown - I highly recommend, staff was super nice and a cute guy working the front desk told me about Sticks and Strings). 

I stayed in the lobby some, they had a lovely fireplace, sat drank wine and crocheted to pass the time in the evenings.  Friday night we (my sister and I) were scheduled to fly back to Texas, flight leaving at 4:50pm - but alas, its the Northeast and a storm was brewing.  That morning, once again in the lobby drinking coffee and checking work emails, watching the local news - which is always a trip when you travel.  How odd the newscasters seem since your not used to them.  My BIL was worried we wouldn't be able to get back to Texas so he wanted us to take an earlier flight, he was scheduled to fly back next Thursday.  We decided that would be best, called for a car and in 10 minutes we both left him in Tarrytown in the care of his mother, I won't go there - won't mention how his sister treated my sister - will just say - that's going to be a sore subject with her for many many years to come.  I wanted to get more pics of NYC, but wasn't able to, our driver was flying down the expressway and we made it to LGA in 35 mintues.  Unloaded and was at the AA counter at 10:40am - clicking 'standby' on the 11:10am flight to Dallas.  Got through security at 11:05, ran to the gate and one other lady and man were also waiting standby.  We were about to board, when the agent recvd a call saying a party of 6 was stuck in security - so we waited and she put us on the next standby flight.  Luckily, another agent came down and said 'I don't see anybody running from security' - put these standbys on...and we made it - sat right in the front together too.  By 11:20am we were in the air and heading home.  It was a memorable trip, the hospital, the yarnstore, all his relatives - they were all nice to me.  Forgot to mention on Wednesday night as we tried to make it back to the hotel in Tarrytown, we missed a turn and ended up in Yonkers.  Where a couple of NYC's finest (or Yonkers finest) directed us back to Tarrytown.  They were good looking to boot.  Here's my last pic of NY out the car window enroute to LGA.  Would love to go again next year to same area and maybe stay in Scarsdale or Dobbs Ferry.

A 4 hour plane ride home is a great way to catch up on crochet - so here's how the granny square coverlet is coming along...its definitely getting there.  My sister said she loved the colors - said it reminded her of vintage colors...which sets perfectly for me, as i'm surely one who loves the old better than the new.  Probably about 15 more rows and i'll be ready for the knit edging.  I went to our library yesterday and had them do an IBL for Candi Jensen's Knitting loves crochet - where she has a great edging for s similar granny square afghan.  The librarian asked me about potential books to get for the library...I said - lots of new and updated crochet and knitting books and she said 'no problem'.  Its a brand new 4 floor library with a cafe in the bottom - I just wish it was open later, i'm actually thinking of volunteering there once a month.

After we landed and got back to my sisters home, I got to see my folks for a couple days who were down from Oklahoma taking care of Lisa & Charlie's boys while we were in NY.  My dad was taking them to a new local bookstore called the Bookworm, so I tagged along and bought a cute little book called 'Knitters Lib'. 

I did pay $20, full price but its worth it to support your local bookstore and since I always buy my other books at Joanns with a 40-50% off coupon.  In Knitters Lib - she has the most amazing patterns on decorating crocs see the front cover.  They are so ADORABLE and i'm not exaggerating - she uses tools like exacto knives and leather punches to create designs in rubber garden clogs.  Its amazing, then she takes crochet flowers, and edging etc and applies that to the holes.  I can go on and on.  The other book 200 ripple stitches...I bought with a coupon at Joanns on Friday.  I love all the ripples going on across the different blogs, so I thought I would start one for my niece JoHannah who is turning 11 (ouch) in June.  I liked the basic ripple, but think i've decided on the granny square ripple...so I spent a little time Friday night making some swatches...

I was going for different colors, but finally had to turn to my favorite knitter author, Lucinda Guy for help...her book Handknit for Kids is one I pull out over and over again to look at her color combinations.  I think I have it narrowed down to two...

glacier blue, soft pinks, red, cream and willow green...then there is this one...

which is glacier blues, reds, soft pinks and cream.  Lucinda Guy has such an eye for color...I love her patterns and combinations.  I think I like the second one...but i'm also toying with neopolitan colors.  If she had her way, (JoHannah) she'd have it in her school colors, orange, white and black.  But I can't bring myself to go that direction for such a cute little girly room....maybe if she had it decorated in locker room style...ooops I shouldn't give her any ideas.

Lastly, i've been shopping a little on Etsy...and my purchases came in the mail this week.  I'm so in love with the talent out there...especially these little prints from the black apple - i'm in awe of her artistic ability!!!  I love these prints, they remind me of JoHannah.  I bought these two to frame and put in my craft room, but she has one one that I'm going to buy and frame for Jo's birthday.  Its the little wolf girl..if your browsing her shop.  Here's my swag...

And also from Etsy..these lovely stitchmarkers, which are so cute, fun and priced affordably...love them!

They are from Etsy artisan...dragonlady and she is a Texan too!  I highly recommend both.

Its almost time for lil Ben's birthday party - be turned 9, but i'll write more about him tonight maybe.  Its a rock climbing party...humh, think i'll just watch and have a starbucks or something. 

Okay - skip ahead 8 hours...and the party is over - it was alot of fun...3 hours of rock climbing (for the kids, none for the auntie) one kid asked Ben...is that your grandma?  I said - hello, im in my 30's do I look like his grandma...and he said - uh, no lady...that's right kid, i'm his aunt and the younger sister too!  Ben had so much fun and so did his naughty older twin brothers.  Here's a pic of the birthday boy...on just one of his many climbs today. 

Happy Birthday, your an artist, knitter, duel master trader, bowler and my lil sweetheart - I love you!

Also this weekend, I found an old door to one of my little mission style bookshelves and decided to make a little TV stand, the door and some wooden finials - that I painted berry red and screwed the finials into the base to work as feet and I like the outcome...here's my makeshift tv stand to get it off my dresser.....cost .39 for new sponge paintbrush. 

And another left over project i've been working on since NY is a loden green cardigan, that i'm going to change up the sleeves and the bottom a little - i'll try and find the pic - its a Donna Rutledge pattern, called Ophelia Bolero that I bought off ebay - I like her patterns, easy to follow. 

I'm using woolease in loden for a cheap alternative and also trying to destash - I just need to finish the back and add arms (3/4 bells) and then figure out how to edge...I think I want a little picot or ruffle - not sure yet. 

This cold is really starting to do me in - i'm headed for a nice long soak and to bed by 9:30pm. 

Good night all you crocheters. knitters, rock climbers and birthday boys.  Garde Tous Bien!

A locket that bears the name....

listening to:  Looking Glass -  'Brandy'

He came on a summer's day
Bringin' gifts from far away
But he made it clear he couldn't stay
No harbor was his home

What is it with weekends these days...they just flint and flitter in and out of our days without a care, without a worry...here today - gone tomorrow and back to the grind.  Can't they linger just a little longer?  I got up this morning and drove to OK to pick up my folks - drove back to Texas - attended a 4 hour birthday party for 10-year old twin nephews.  Laser tag, pizza and games - what an afternoon.  They got a Wii from my folks so that pretty much beat my gift all to hell.  I'm exhausted - but wanted to share some quick pics before I leave on Tuesday to go to NY for my BILs transplant surgery.  By the way, if anyone knows of any cool yarn stores near White Plains or Valhalla - please drop a line - it would be so appreciated.   Here's some of my Vday swag.....a great day all around.

Roses, a Nordstrom coffee card so my affair with Mocha Bianco's continue...truffles, a mug from target (cute!) and in spirit only the Harry and David bing cherries that I finished off with the bottle of Beaujoulais Villages that I treated myself too. 

Then today, my mom gave me some goodies...a really cute beaded heart frame and a little heart windchime...just a hint of whimsy and I have to thank her for shopping for me at HL - there isn't much I don't like there.  And from my niece and nephew - a bottle of Brittany Spears Fantasy....heard it may entice you to go for the GI Jane look.

closeup of the windchime - because it is so cool.

I also wanted to share a few other pics - remember from an old post that I wanted an IKEA craft table - well I got it and it is so cool - you can raise the back up - for a slant - artist table.  I love the trestles - super easy to put together and all under $100.  I opted for the longer table in walnut color and will eventually stain or paint the trestles to match, once I get my craft room color scheme finalized.

Rug - target $3.99.

Here's a closeup of my tabletop...

Here's my progression of my granny square blanket - its getting there....

My soon to be turning 88 year old grandma called me the other night to thank me for the valentine gift I mailed to her and the whole conversation made me think of all the things she made for me.  Here's one of my favorite things from her....a little black cat.  Its really the only cat I like, as I'm not a cat lover - but this little one - how can you not.  Its got all the stains and tears of my childhood and I notice my grandma had a really good running stitch going on....of course it must skip a couple generations - I can't freehand a stitch to save my life. 

I have so many gifts from my grandma....(Big Ma) is what she's referred to now, because of so many great grandchildren - but she's still grandma to me.  I'll post a few others when I get back end of the week from NY, a series - devoted to the works of Nellie Faye Mallonee Watkins.....in honor of her upcoming birthday.

This weekend while reading blogs I normally don't visit and etsy shops, I shouldn't visit as my bank account keeps reminding me...but I stumbled onto to the most wonderful etsy shop, the black apple, and bought two prints - somehow these remind me of my niece, JoHannah,  which in turn reminds me of me when I was about 7 years old - dark hair, big eyes...scared of the world....check it out - bet you can't buy just one either.  I bought Fox in the snow, and Winter coat.  Can't wait to get them and frame them above my lil Ikea craft table.

Tonight I craved comfort food.  As I oogled the pantry, my eyes spied just what I needed.....peanut butter & syrup and a cold glass of milk.  Okay, fresh milk - check - syrup - check, new jar of unopened pb - check....oh wait - hold up...there's that nasty recall and talk of salmonella and bad nuts and bird droppings - oh yeah...let's check cnn and find out the recall number....

Shoppers are being asked to toss out jars having a product code on the lid beginning with "2111," which denotes the plant. ConAgra said they can return their lids or full jars of peanut butter to the store where they bought them for a refund.

Hells Bells.....my number was up........

not too worry....emergency stash of gs thin mints in the fridge......crisis avoided!

Anyone watching the show 'Top Design'...if these people are in the running for top designer then there is something dreadful wrong with today's fashionista society.  FIrst of all - Todd Oldham - yeah, he's cool....but Jonathan Adler - his sig line....see ya later, decorator...annunciating every syllable makes me barf.  And did you see the scenes for next week.....since when did a crimping iron come back in style...Is Kelly Wearstler bringing back the 80s?  I have 4 words for this show.... WHERE IS PROJECT RUNWAY?

and that's all the news that's fit to print.

i'll sign off Jonathan Adler style.... see you later - cr - o - chet - er!

He came on a summer's day
Bringin' gifts from far away
But he made it clear he couldn't stay
No harbor was his home

The rivers flow backwards....

listening to:  Dolly Parton -  'The Grass is Blue'

Valleys are high
Mountains are level
Truth is a lie
I'm perfectly fine
And I don't miss you
The sky is green
And the grass is blue

I have to admit that I love Dolly Parton...I think she's one of those artists that you either love or you totally hate her...and I love her.  I admire her story of how she came from nothing and how she made it and never tried to be something she isn't.  You gotta respect someone who can totally make fun of herself.  I love this song of hers (although prefer to hear Norah Jones sing it...but Norah is too good I guess for Itunes - because I couldn't download it)...and I love Jolene.  Dolly - I adore ya - but please....no more REO remakes!

Unfortunately once again the weekend squeaked by and I did manage to accomplish a few things.  I finished all my crochet valentine gifts and either mailed or gave them away.  I finished the little Ramona Peep and she turned out so cute...I hated to part with her - from her little flower in her hair down to her little maryjanes...she was so fun to make.  The pattern is excellent - just like the little pokie turtle - I will definitely be making more for gifts and for myself.  Here she is.....

She has brown hair and pink dress with little ruffles....I adore her!  Hated to pack you up today and mail you to JoHannah.  As for other crochet - I worked a couple rounds on my granny square throw for my spare bedroom / craftroom.  Speaking of which, I cleaned obsessively in there this weekend.  I had a scheduled ballgame (nephews) to attend Saturday morning - so I checked IKEA before I left and sure enough....IN STOCK!  yeah - so after I watched my nephews game - I went over to and picked it up - I decided to buy the longer table and in the darker wood....I LOVE IT.  Once I get the room situated with new curtains and my bedspread finished..(and new rug) i'll show pics.  The sawhorse legs and trestles with shelves was easy peasy to put together. 

Friday night I stopped at BnNoble in the mall to browse before I went home and saw a few books that i'm going to check out on overstock.com.  Its Candi Jensen's book Knitting Loves Crochet (cute title).  I browsed through it and looks like a must - she has a great granny square afghan in there with a wonderful knitted edging - looks fantistic.  here's the cover of the book....

Also - this book.....

Its Glamour Knits by Erika Knight and I have a couple of her books already and like her style...this book looks great.

And lastly - Nicky Epstein's Knitting Beyond the Edge...I'd post the link - but i'm sure you all know what i'm referring too - If I bought them all on Ostock - its would be about $44...i'm going to ponder that this week.  Might be a March purchase...guess i'll check ebay too.

Okay - that's all the news that's fit to print....did catch a little of the Grammys tonight...unfortunately - turned it over when the D Chx were performing - so changed the channel and then turned it back when Rascal Flatts were on....uh oh - i'm 0 for 2 here.  Why not have the Eagles on performing their songs....nobody does Desperado like DH.  Okay - enough music griping tonight...

Night all you crocheters, knitters, readers and music listeners - sleep tight!

Valleys are high
Mountains are level
Truth is a lie
I'm perfectly fine
And I don't miss you
The sky is green
And the grass is blue

I have to admit that I love Dolly Parton...I think she's one of those artists that you either love or you totally hate her...and I love her.  I admire her story of how she came from nothing and how she made it and never tried to be something she isn't.  You gotta respect someone who can totally make fun of herself.  I love this song of hers (although prefer to hear Norah Jones sing it...but Norah is too good I guess for Itunes - because I couldn't download it)...and I love Jolene.  Dolly - I adore ya - but please....no more REO remakes!

Unfortunately once again the weekend squeaked by and I did manage to accomplish a few things.  I finished all my crochet valentine gifts and either mailed or gave them away.  I finished the little Ramona Peep and she turned out so cute...I hated to part with her - from her little flower in her hair down to her little maryjanes...she was so fun to make.  The pattern is excellent - just like the little pokie turtle - I will definitely be making more for gifts and for myself.  Here she is.....

She has brown hair and pink dress with little ruffles....I adore her!  Hated to pack you up today and mail you to JoHannah.  As for other crochet - I worked a couple rounds on my granny square throw for my spare bedroom / craftroom.  Speaking of which, I cleaned obsessively in there this weekend.  I had a scheduled ballgame (nephews) to attend Saturday morning - so I checked IKEA before I left and sure enough....IN STOCK!  yeah - so after I watched my nephews game - I went over to and picked it up - I decided to buy the longer table and in the darker wood....I LOVE IT.  Once I get the room situated with new curtains and my bedspread finished..(and new rug) i'll show pics.  The sawhorse legs and trestles with shelves was easy peasy to put together. 

Friday night I stopped at BnNoble in the mall to browse before I went home and saw a few books that i'm going to check out on overstock.com.  Its Candi Jensen's book Knitting Loves Crochet (cute title).  I browsed through it and looks like a must - she has a great granny square afghan in there with a wonderful knitted edging - looks fantistic.  here's the cover of the book....

Also - this book.....

Its Glamour Knits by Erika Knight and I have a couple of her books already and like her style...this book looks great.

And lastly - Nicky Epstein's Knitting Beyond the Edge...I'd post the link - but i'm sure you all know what i'm referring too - If I bought them all on Ostock - its would be about $44...i'm going to ponder that this week.  Might be a March purchase...guess i'll check ebay too.

Okay - that's all the news that's fit to print....did catch a little of the Grammys tonight...unfortunately - turned it over when the D Chx were performing - so changed the channel and then turned it back when Rascal Flatts were on....uh oh - i'm 0 for 2 here.  Why not have the Eagles on performing their songs....nobody does Desperado like DH.  Okay - enough music griping tonight...

Night all you crocheters, knitters, readers and music listeners - sleep tight!