Weekend Project...

I love this yarn...

It is so soft and the color is beautiful.

My friend Lisa found a really interesting video tutorial for an infinity scarf (which she has started for herself). It is my weekend project.

I figured, with a three day weekend, I should be able to get it done. (Fingers crossed)

On a side note - I finished reading The Kite Runner. It was fabulous and wonderful - I loved it.
Now, to watch the movie...

{hugs}
Laura

Crochet Flower...

I just saw this tutorial video to make this cute little flower and wanted to share it with you. It's from Mollie Makes.

{hugs}

Laura

Hello...

My blue ripple...

What I've been reading...

It's three books in one...

My peppers have been growing...

I let them turn red and they taste really good.

{hugs}
Laura

Blue Ripple...

Hello.

I love this ripple pattern - it's a lot of fun to do.

{hugs}
Laura

*Edited at add: Here is the pattern for the ripple blanket  It is found at the Attic24 blog.

The Vintage Stripe...

is done. Yeah

There pink scalloped edge is really "ruffle-ie", and I think it's my favorite part of the blanket.

My week has been crazy busy so far. I think I will be really happy when August is over and the heat is gone.

Praying for those affected by hurricane Isaac.

{hugs}
Laura

Saturday Morning...

Good Morning...

It's going to be really hot here today with a high of 105 degrees. Yuck!

I am excited that my Vintage Stripe is almost done.

And that my new zucchini's are growing well.

Hopping you have a wonderful day...

{hugs}
Laura

I Could Write A Book...

Really, I could. And it would be called - My Adventures in Growing Zucchini - lol.

A week and a half ago, they looked like this. They all turned yellow and started to shrivel up, so I cut them all off.

And now, the new ones look like this...

And this, growing strong and healthy.

And then my husband had an idea. "Maybe you should have more than one plant so there are more male flowers to use for pollinating the female flowers on the zucchini." Not a bad idea, so I went out and bought a couple more. We still have a lot of hot weather here, and we love zucchini and I really want this to work. 

Hydrangeas - I really need to buy more of these plants.

And this is my little snail. It's made to put a candle in his shell. He is such a happy little guy...

I am finally getting the boarder on my Vintage Stripe blanket.

And, because I know you want to know, this is what I am listening to...

 I hope you are staying cool and enjoying your day. Here it is about 105 degrees and we had an earthquake this morning (and one last night).

{hugs}

Laura

Want To Print Out The Crochet Owl Pattern..?

I have had a lot of people ask for a printable version of my owl pattern and always felt bad telling them I didn't have it. Now I do :) You should be able to right click on the written pattern, choose to open it in a new window and then print it out. I will also put it on my facebook page so you can get it there as well.

{hugs}
Laura

Primrose Dishcloth...

I have to say thank you to the wonderful person who found the flower dish cloth pattern (called Primrose Dishcloth). I am very grateful for your help. I was very sad to see that the link for the pattern I had posted was no longer there. It is a cute pattern and it's fun and easy to make. So here it is, print out many copies to save for yourself and give to friends.

{hugs}
Laura

Giant Granny Square...

My large granny square is coming along nicely. This yarn is a bit stiff, especially the white. I'm sure it will soften up with use though.

{hugs}
Laura

Memorial Day Monday...

Today is Memorial Day, a time to remember and give thanks to those men and women who have served in the armed forces for our country.

It has been a great weekend with rest and relaxation, time spent with family and friends, a wonderful BBQ and an extra day off from work to enjoy.

Three day weekends are wonderful.

I tried something new - I made liquid hand soap. I think it turned out pretty good and I am happy at the money to be saved because of it. I followed this recipe from The Farmers Nest. She has a great picture tutorial to follow. I made just 1/2 a batch with a bar of Zest. I was able to fill two jugs, like the one in the background of this picture, for about $0.70 - a fabulous deal.

I have also started on the fourth book in the Outlander series...

And hooked up this little fruit cozy. You can find the pattern here on the Michaels website. I made the larger size, but my smallest apple still had a hard time squeezing into it for the pictures - lol. 

I hope you are enjoying your day.

{hugs}

Laura

Granny Square and Flowers...

I don't know what it is lately, but I have very little desire to sit down at my computer. Well, I am gonna blame it on the book - lol. I am more than half way through it now, page 668 out of 1059, so all is good.

I am almost done with my embroidery and will be sharing the pattern with you in the near future.

And, I started a new blanket last night. One large granny square in navy blue and white. And I must say that I am very happy with the results so far. In the past, I have played around with making small granny squares to "get the hang of it" but just wasn't happy with my results. So, I put it away. But last night, I followed this tutorial from Carina's Craft Blog and now, I am very happy. 

This past week was Teacher Appreciation week at the school where I work and I was truly blessed by many wonderful families. Two yummy lunches, a breakfast, thank you cards, flowers and little gifts - it has been a fabulous week. And I love flowers. The roses are home grown (from three different families) and are so fragrant and beautiful. The sunflower has been slowly opening and is just lovely.

And, isn't this cute...

The little rose here is from my mom's backyard. It is so tiny and sweet, I love it.

And my husband brought these beautiful strawberries home from the grocery store this morning. What a treat.

Happy Saturday...

{hugs}
Laura

Prom, and a Scarf...

Well, this last week and a half has been very busy. My son went to prom, which was really a lot to get ready for - even for a boy. I can't imagine what it will be like when my daughter goes for the first time. But it was fun, picking out the right tux for him, flowers for his date... And, I was able to take pictures for him and his friends. We went downtown and got some great shots. I posted a couple more pictures on my photography blog that you can look at.

While waiting for the party bus to take them to the prom, the ice cream man showed up...

And now for the scarf. I actually finished this about month ago but never got around to blogging it. You might remember my sneak peak of it here. I love this pattern from Aesthetic Nest . I have made two other scarfs besides this one, both of them gifts for friends. I used Caron's Simply Soft in gray which makes it a little thicker and warmer. I was actually hoping that I would get some pictures of me wearing it to show you, but it never worked out.

Well, I hope your weekend is relaxing and fun.

{hugs}

Laura

Daisy Green Magazine...

Daisy Green Magazine is an online magazine over in the UK and they asked to post about my crocheted owl pattern. You can check it out here.

{hugs}
Laura

Published - I've Been Published...

I have been so excited about this for almost a month. - it's been very hard to keep it in until now...

The editors at Mollie Makes magazine came across my blog here and loved my mason jar cover, contacted me and asked to publish it in their magazine. Well, if you remember, I first learned about the magazine after watching this video and totally fell in love with it.

Mollie Makes is a fabulous UK crafting magazine with beautiful pages to inspire any crafter. The magazine can be purchased in craft stores - I've seen it in my local Joann's - or ordered online here. You can even download it for your iPad here. You can also see their blog and sign-up for the newsletter here.

In the magazines own words:

‘Mollie Makes is published thirteen times a year. We curate the best craft from around the world into a tactile, collectable and totally irresistible magazine.

We love to make – handmade is more than just a hobby for us, it’s in everything we do. 

We can’t resist hunting down treasures in thrift stores, then customising, re-covering and embellishing our finds with our endless stash of ribbons, buttons, fabrics and felt.

We’re forever on the lookout for new inspiration. Whatever we do, we’re living and loving handmade.’ 

♡ Making ♡ Thrifting ♡ Collecting ♡ Crafting

http://www.molliemakes.com
http://www.facebook.com/MollieMakes
http://twitter.com/MollieMakes
http://www.youtube.com/user/MollieMakes

If you get a chance, you have to get a copy. You will love it! It is the ultimate "eye candy" for the craft lover and maker.

{hugs}
Laura

Ravelry...

With the help of a new friend, I am now posting my patterns on Ravlery.

You can see my Crochet Owl here and my Spring Bunny here.

I am so excited...

{hugs}
Laura

Spring Bunny Tutorial...

I have been playing around with the idea of creating a bunny pattern for a few weeks. I plan on creating bunny garland with this pattern. I probably should have started this when I originally thought of it since Easter is tomorrow, but...

Well, better late than never I guess.

Happy Easter everyone

{hugs}

Laura

I use cotton yarn with a crochet hook size specified for the yarn. 

I also crochet very tightly. 

Start with a magic ring 

and hook 6 single crochet into it. 

Then, pull it tight and slip stitch into the first single crochet to join.

Second Round - Chain one and then hook 2 single crochets in each stitch. Slip stitch into the chain one to join. 

Third Round - Chain one. Hook a single crochet in the first stitch and two single crochets in the second. Repeat (1 sc, 2 sc, 1sc, 2 sc) until you get to the end of the round and slip stitch into the first single crochet.  

Fourth Round - Chain one. Hook one single crochet into each of the first two stitches and then two single crochets into the next. Repeat (1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc, 1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc) until you get to the end and the slip stitch into the first single crochet.

Now you will make the head of the bunny. 

Chain one and then hook a half double crochet and a 

treble crochet into the next stitch. 

In the next two stitches, hook two treble crochets in each stitch. 

Then, in the next stitch, hook one treble crochet and one half double crochet. 

(1 hdc + 1 tc, 2 tc, 2 tc, 1 tc + 1 hdc) 

Now, chain one and then slip stitch around the body of the bunny until you get to the first treble crochet (your last slip stitch will be in the first treble crochet). 

Now, you will chain 5. 

In the second stitch from your hook, create a half double crochet. Then hook one double crochet in each of the next three stitches.

Slip stitch into the top of the third treble crochet and chain 5

then, half double crochet in the second stitch from the hook and three double crochets in the next three stitches. Slip stitch into the top of the sixth treble crochet and slip stitch into the next two stitches. Leaving a long tail, cut 

your yarn and tie off. 

Now you need to slip stitch the ears to the head by going through the double crochet of the ear and into the top of the treble crochet of the head.   

Do this twice for each ear and then weave in your yarn and cut. 

 For the tail you will be creating a bobble stitch. First you will chain two. 

In the first chain you will hook the first half of four double crochets. This will leave 5 loops on your hook. 

Now, yarn over and pull through all five loops 

and then yarn over again and pull through to finish, cutting your yarn leaving a tail and then pulling tight.  

Pull the yarn tails of the tail in a spot just above and below the center point of the body 

and tie together tightly, weaving in the ends. 

A pretty spring bunny...