Where is this wonderful pattern ???

The one I refer to as the granny ripple is

the O.A. Pattern (Orphan Annie Pattern)

found at the site The Garden Bell ...


The Garden Bell: Dang-Nab-It - O.A. Pattern



Isn't it just the best? A great way to spend a relaxing evening, using up stash and enjoying every stitch.

Granny Ripple progress

I really should have been done with this by now but the heat has put me into super slow motion with the yarn. Actually haven't touched this in days now. Hopefully the coolness coming in tonight will encourage me to add some length to this. Its doing a good job of using up some of my leftovers ... actually not some, but all. Nothing was purchased for this. I love it when I can do that and still get something I love out of it. This is certainly a keeper pattern for me.

Blessings,

Monday Start

The air is a nice cool 59 degrees. Refreshing from the past few days high temperatures which will return later today. Also refreshing is the quiteness of the early morning hours. Nice to start the day ever so slowly, to enjoy some time of stillness before the day takes hold and is running full steam.

A pleasant weekend with an afternoon of visiting those I hadn't seen in a long time ... she had just ordered 29 skeins of yarn, another yarnie. Its fun to share the addiction!

*

Haven't even had breakfast and thinking of tonight's fare ... our tomatoes are ripening and six are waiting to be made into a big salad with fresh basil. Mmmm, crusty French Bread and I'm set - my totally most favorite summer meal.

*

Time to kick into gear.

have a wonderful day

and start to the week.

The World in Watercolor

Discovering the World Through Watercolor

This floral watercolor was painted by our art teacher, Steve. Isn't it beautiful? If I ever get to being able to do something half this good I will be beside myself!


I have just started a blog of our watercoloring adventures. There are a few more of Steve's paintings so far, you can see them here.

http://paintingwithsteve.blogspot.com/

Coloring The World

Today

Coffee perking, farm market fresh fruit along with breakfast then off to start the day. Work in the morning, art class this afternoon. Its such a delight. I'm slowly learning (very slow) and enjoying every bit of it. I think what adds so much to this class is the people. Its a small class of five of us, six including the instructor. Six fun, caring, delightful individuals, I don't think we are your normal class, we really have a good time. Silly, crazy ... all the good stuff. There will be much laughter as we slowly immerse ourselves into our paintings then you can hear a pin drop. For those afternoon hours everything of stress or tension just seems to melt away. Its truly a gift. Reminds me that

Today is God's Gift to You

Happy Monday

A happy life is made of little things.

*

Some of my favorite little things

A gentle summer rain
A lace curtain blowing in the breeze of an open window
Being Silly
Books
Crochet Thread
Crocheting
Cup of Coffee
Cuppa Tea
Laughter
Popcorn
Reading
Recipes
The hush after a snow storm
Yarn

*

What little things make you happy?

*

In all things, be happy.

Summer Doily - July Doily of The Month

Summer Doily - A Little Doily - 6 inches in diameter
Size 10 crochet thread, 2 colors; size 4 hook, chain 6, join to first chain to form ring.

1. Ch3, (counts as 1st dc) 11 dc in ring, join, 12 dc.
2. Ch3, dc in same sp as join, 2 dc in next dc and in each dc around, 24 dc.
3. Ch 3, dc in same st as join, *dc in next st, 2 dc in next * around, join, 36 dc.
4. Ch 6, sk 1 dc, dc in next st., *ch 3, sk 1 st, dc in next dc* around, join in 3rd ch of beg ch.
5. Ch 1, sc in same st as join, *3 sc in sp, sc in dc, * around, join in first sc.
6. Ch 1, sc in same st as join, *sk 1 st, 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sc in next st* around, join.
7. Sl st to middle st of shell, *ch 6, sc in middle st of next shell* around, join to 1st sc.
8. Ch 1, sc in same st as join, *7sc in next sp, sc in sc* around, join to 1st sc.
9. Ch 1, sc in same st as join, *skip 3 sc, 7d in next sc, skip 3 sc, sc in next* around, join.
10 St st to middle st of shell, ch 1, sc in same st, *ch8, sc in middle st of next shell* around, join.
11. Ch 1, sc in same st as join, *9 sc in next sp, sc in sc* around, join. Fasten off.
12. Join new color, ch 3, dc in next sc and in each sc around, join to 3rd ch of beg chain.
Fasten off.
For thread ribbon: chain 85 using a double thickness of thread. Weave into doily.

Friday with a Friend

What a wonderful way to begin the weekend!

*

Off in a few to some fun hours of shopping, browsing and lunch with a dear friend (and crochet buddy). It will be a great day with lots of laughter and easy going chatter. It always is. We've known each other since high school (yes, that long ago) and reconnected several years back now.

*

Not sure yet which shopping center we will be heading to, there are two of them - totally opposite directions - so only one will be chosen. Whichever one will be great though, they both are incredible sites.

*

Hmmm, I wonder which one has yarn and crafts store ... ok, ok, I will try and be good. No more thread, yarn, fabric purchases (unless its a great bargain!). Whispering that, can you tell?

*

Fun, Friendship,

and Joy

to your day,

Just the tip of the ice berg ...

Ok, so I've gone and done it, well some of it, and goodness me I have yarn and yarn and more yarn. So far I've gotten all the yarn that I had tucked away from the first floor of my house and put like yarns together. I can now crochet almost forever! I do have to admit this is a dream come true. I feel like I have my own yarn shop (although not all the yarns that I would love to have ... there's that addiction).



I am an avid sale shopper and I do have to say though that most of stash has been purchased at sale, coupon and discontinued prices. I'm at the point now that unless I really need something for a pattern, my purchases are running at $1.00 to as low as 25 center for a skein. Love it!

I have to tell you, I have been watching other blogs in getting their craft rooms in order and from them came my inspiration. This past weekend I completely cleaned out to the bare walls one bedroom and it is now a clean open space ready to be transformed to a crafting area (or at the interim, yarn, thread, fiber storage). Year's ago I was heavy into crafting and had a room where my sewing machine sat out 24/7. It was really a delight and made it so much easier to accomplish items when you don't have to pick up everything and store away after each working session. Just neaten up, toss unwanted garbage and you're ready to roll for the next session.








Like I said this is the start ... these are baby and 4 ply yarns from the 1st floor. I know upstairs there is hamper and two boxes of yarn, a rubbermaid tote and large wicker basket on the porch holds more (will probably at least double this amount) so I have yet to get half of the stash together in one place. By this weekend.






Peaches and Creme cotton crochet ... for when I want to make "a" potholder ...look at the price!





Oh ... did I mention thread ... crochet thread.
That I do have enough to crochet forever.


This is quite a large hamper and filled to the brim. I do have to admit that there is a rubbermaid tote filled as well. I was the fortunate recipient to receive two boxes of thread from a friend of a friend when their aunt passed on. Seems they couldn't find someone who would like this ... glad they asked my friend if they knew anyone.



As for crochet hooks, knitting needles ... lets just say I'm not gonna go there!

Good Morning

Off to work shortly. Supposed to get rain today, hope so, the leaves are starting to fall with all the dryness of late. Too early for the trees to bare. We won't have a pretty fall if this keeps up.

Been working on organizing my yarn stash ...good golly, there's more yarn then I thought. I have enough to take me through next winter (maybe more, not finished yet). The problem though is when a pattern appears that you don't have the right colors or enough ... I'll be on the lookout for patterns to use up what I have and hopefully keep me from purchasing additional yarn (yeah, right!). There's something about yarn and it seems there are always new colors to ohhh and ahhhh at.

Anyway, you have a wonderful, blessed day. Back in a few.

Turn around

I heard this this morning ... turn around ... wherever you are, at the post office, in the grocery store, wherever ... turn around, look around ... say hello, give a smile...

The Value of A Smile

It costs nothing,

but creates much.

It enriches those who receive

without impoverishing those who give.

It happens in a flash,

and the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.

It cannot be begged, borrowed, or stolen,

but it is of no earthly good to anyone

until it's given away!

So if in your hurry you run across

someone too weary to smile ~

leave one of yours.

No one needs a smile as much as

he who has none to give.

~ Author Unknown

May your day be

blessed with smiles,

received and given.

Newest Books

At a recent jaunt to Barnes and Noble found these books on the bargain table ... both for under $10.00. I just couldn't resist, loving books as I do and of course, my favorite pastime ... crocheting. I couldn't very well leave the knitting there, I'm sure one of these day I will do more knitting and the patterns are just adorable.







Look at these wonderful bags ... both big and small...










And a granny bag - could I ask for more? This little book is chock full of neat information and such cute patterns, 15 in all.




The knitting book box has 20 baby patterns, enough to keep a knitter knitting for a very long time!

The only dilemma ... what to make next.

What a wonderful dilemma!

A Very Special Delivery

was found in my mailbox when I arrived home from Tammy of T's Daily Treasures
http://tsdailytreasures.blogspot.com/.




A most beautiful card. This is a keeper for sure. Just look at the envelope with the heart sticker. Do you know what a delight it is when you pull your mail from the box and see this?




Can it get any better?? You bet it can...








also tucked inside is this beautiful handmade bookmark ...

does this speak of sweetness and caring?

...and look at the other side.



This is truly a treasure and one I will cherish. There is no greater gift then when someone shares something of themself.

Tammy, the words are few ... Thank you,

but know they are from the heart.

May the loving gestures that you

so freely give also be yours.

I never thought I'd say this, but ...

It's too hot to crochet!

Yesterday was 104.

Today we're closing in on 100.

No, no, it can't be ... not crocheting? Hmmmm, I know, I think I will pack up my yarn and grannie ripple and head out to Barnes and Noble Cafe ... one Java Chip coming up ... for a few hours of sipping and hooking...and cooling.

Where there's yarn, there's a way.





update: temperature hit 103 today ... cooler! (oh yeah!) and had a wonderful Soy Strawberry and Creme Frappucino at B&N, it was luscious ... move over Java Chip, you've got competition.

Handbook 2010

HANDBOOK 2010


Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants. 4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2009.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day and just think.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10.Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes from the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:

25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others, even if it is only a laugh.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your inner most self is always happy. So, be happy.

Happy Birthday

July 4th

to my husband

health, happiness,

blessings

and Love

Happy Birthday America