For my adopted Grandma

This is the doily I made for my adopted Grandma, whose name is also Mary, who is a resident at the LTC where I work. Mary is a proud and stoic woman, and she doesn't speak English...and goodness knows I can't speak Navajo, but we communicate well! LOL If its important I get an interpreter, if its just everyday stuff, we manage with gestures and single words, and a lot of laughter!

Today's cat stuff: Its becoming spring, seems like there's cat hair everywhere I turn. You'd think that cats who never go outside wouldn't shed so much, but they do.

Today's craft stuff: Making squares for a Crochet-Along for a group I belong to, and working on a mystery exchange puffy

Today's computer stuff: Nothing, just email and blog and MySpace.

Getting back to normal...

The cast is off, and I'm slowly getting back into being able to crochet. So far, I can crochet about as much as I want to with thread, and crochet slowly and shortly with yarn. I finally finished one of two unfinished Christmas presents, the ones I was working on when I broke my arm. I am still working on John Wayne!

This is the doily I made for my friend/co-worker. The "would-be" Christmas present! I got the pattern from a Russian web site...can't find it again, or read what I have (other than the doily graph itself) so can't point anyone in the direction of the pattern. I'm sure if you have a list of Russian crochet sites that you can find it. Its a fairly simple pattern, the outside rows are pretty long, the overall size of the piece is about 22 inches. Done in stark white, size 10 thread, with a size 7 hook.

The days are getting longer, and some days are almost balmy here, but winter still takes hold when the sun goes down. Waiting eagerly for spring, and the day I don't have to wear a coat. I hate coats!

Today's crafty-stuff: Gotta get finished with John Wayne, the mat and frame are just waiting for me! Then I will have my "backlog" caught up. I'm preparing to start an afghan, LA's 63 squares Heirloom Afghan, as a crochet-along project at RCC. Still haven't decided on colors I will be using.

Today's cat-stuff:

Hmmm...taken today, guess I better change the date on my camera!

Today's Computer-stuff: I've corrupted my Adobe Reader, and for some reason can't delete it from my computer. I've been working on this for a while (a computer expert I'm NOT). AND I managed to completely crash my old computer, which I was going to use for another purpose. Should I call the Geek Squad???

Snow in the Southwest!

Well, we've had it. Several times. Its time to have sunshine for a few weeks.

I'm still in the arm cast...less than a week to go if the x-rays show that all is well! I'm ready...

Thanks to my mom and her friend, I have a frame stand that I can use for a little while to hold my cross stitch while I do some embroidery. Its not the same, but it gives me something to do for a while.

An unusual occurrence...the olders don't usually LET BittyKitty sleep with them! I think she was trying to get warm!

"I think you're crazy, you know!"

Screeeeeeeeech!! (Crafting coming to a HALT!)

Welllllll.....it kinda looks like crochet, but its a cast. So, NO crochet, NO cross stitch....Hmmmm...no dishes!! Just goes to show that not only do CATS and crochet not mix, CLUMSY PEOPLE and crochet don't mix, either!

I'm not finished with the Duke cross stitch for my sister-in-law for Christmas. I'm also not through with a doily I was 3 ROWS from completing for my assistant. Ah, well, I will get them finished as soon as the monster cast comes off. My response to the ortopedic doc was, "SIX WEEKS??? You're KIDDING!!" He laughed...

Today's CatStuff: BittyKitty is little freaked by the Christmas stuff sitting around. She can't decide if the 2 foot fiber optic snowman is friend or foe.

Today's PuterStuff: Back to designing cross stitch and graphics. I can do both one-handed!

Today's CraftStuff: Yeah, RIGHT!!!

The Olders keeping warm...on MY robe!

Closing in on a finish!

I have 3 colors, and then the washing-blocking-ironing-mounting-matting-framing to go! Geez, that sounds like a lot of work left for something that is supposed to be completed by Christmas! I'm working on it!!!

Today's Crafty stuff: Just cross stitch...can't afford to do anything else right now

Today's Puter Stuff: I've learned several new things on my PaintShop Pro program lately. Learning to embed text, and things like that. My next projects is learning to animate pictures.

Today's Cat Stuff: They're still here! The olders had a birthday last month. They are 5.

Quickie Bookmark for Christmas! ~UPDATED~

Size 10 thread (I used dark red and ecru)
Size 7 steel hook

Stitches used: single crochet, slip stitch

With Ecru:
Chain 30, keep it straight and join with a slip stitch
R1-Ch 1, sc in same stitch and in each stitch around, join with sl st into the beginning sc of this round.
R2-6–repeat round 1, finish off ecru after this round.
R7–join red with a sc in the beginning stitch of the previous row, sc around, join with sl st into the first sc of this round.
R8-12 repeat round 11, do not finish off red.
R13-decrease sc over the first two stitches of this round, add another decrease sc half way through the round (28 sc)
R14-25–repeat round 13 until there are 4 stitches left on your hat
Last row of hat–decrease sc through all four stitches, closing the top of the hat. Do not finish off red
Next:

Ch 60, sc in 10th ch from the hook, and each remaining ch until the last ch. Sl st into the last ch, and sl st into the stitch that closed your hat.
Make an ecru tassel or pom-pom to add to loop at the end of your bookmark. Turn up the hat piece at the color joining line. Press lightly!

Mary McKnight
FroggieDesignz2006

Free for your personal use...do not copy or post without permission

Just an update

Latest progress>>>>>

I had to quit working on the black, I'm still dreaming black! I've just started the stitching on his face, and its the same color as the aida cloth, essentially, so its hard to see. Ya think I'll be done by Christmas??

Just a random cat picture!

A doily a day...

...keeps the crazies away. Well...I can hardly say that I can make a doily a day...but I usually work on one at least for a little bit of time each day.
Now, here's the mystery. When I completed this doily I just tossed the pattern. I had printed it on my computer, so I'm going on the assumption that it was a free pattern on the internet. I told several people I was working on this one, and that it reminded me of a Lily of the Valley plant. Then my brain told me that was the name of the doily. I went to find the link, so I could post it here, and its NOT either of the Lily of the Valley doilies that I have found on the internet. Both of those are at Celt's Vintage Crochet, but they aren't this one...unless I TOTALLY read the pattern wrong! ha ha

Close up...why do we put pictures of close-ups around for others to see?

As soon as I find this pattern I will edit this post and add the URL so everyone can find it.

Today's CatStuff: Jazz, driving everyone nuts. Must be a CatMoon outside!

Today's PuterStuff: Just downloading pictures, cleaning up my puter.

Today's CraftStuff: Miss Thing is finished!! Will post updated pictures as soon as the wings are dry after the starching.

Fairy tale coming to life...

Crocheted dragon, incomplete, I designed and am entering into an exchange at rock_a_beady_crochet group (Yahoo!) There will be no pattern written, too complicated, so it will be a OOAK! I am currently attempting to get the hackles (or whatever they are called) to stiffen so that I can sew them down her back.

Libby reluctantly showing us she has one teeny-tiny spot that sin't silver gray on her body.

My mom's entry in the San Juan County Fair. I took the picture (my grandson), and made her a pattern. She did the needlework (the HARDEST part), and together we matted and framed the piece. She was pickled-tink over the whole thing! I was, too!

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Today's Cat Stuff: In ancient Egypt cats were thought of as gods. They have not forgotten this!

Today's Craft Stuff: Working on Christmas presents! Its a very few short weeks until it will be upon us! Aaaaaghhhhh!!

Today's Puter Stuff: Ran all my updates, and cleaned out the junk and cobwebs. Security has to be tight, tight! LOL

Small Crochet...

Butterfly and small a doily done as a "Doily-Along" with the Gathering Threads group. Just some little projects as I can't work with yarn right now. My hands have been bothering me as we've had frequent weather changes lately. The patterns are free on the net, I'm just not positive about where to find them. If I find out I will link back to the patterns.





New pictures of the girls. BittyKitty (left) showing off for the camera. Jazz (top right) and Libby (bottom right) sharing their wonderfulness with us all!






Today's Puter Stuff: Getting information about a New Mexico State Park, Bluewater Lake SP, for Jimmy and David. They've been wanting to fish there forever.

Today's Cat Stuff: You know, BittyKitty STILL can't meow. She just squeaks. The woman that I got her from says her brother, also a polydactyl cat, also cannot meow. Hmmmm....

Today's Crafty Stuff: Just the small thread projects. And some counted cross stitch Christmas presents!

Interpretation of a pattern

My interpretation of a beaded bag pattern found on the net, here. Its been years since I put a zipper in anything, and you can tell! Had fun making it though as a Myster Crochet Along with a group. It was interesting that all of us came up with something a little different, as we had no picture as a guide.







I'm trying to get some handmade items done for Christmas, one down, several to finish or start.
Today's Handistuff: Finishing a bag I'm making for myself.
Today's CatStuff: Not a creature is stirring, not even BittyKitty!
Today's PuterStuff: Updating security stuff, a necessary evil!

Random Pictures:



The lap of luxury...or the dog! (Ashton, age 2)











We're having a heat wave...like most everyone else. Water is our friend!! (Vance, 3 months, and Janie)

Cats & Crochet DO mix...

...and here's the proof. Kitty potholders I made from a vintage crochet pattern found on the net. HERE

Kinda looks like I cut their tails off, but that's about how long they are.

Can you guess where I went? Yep, St. Louis. Attended the annual NADONA conference there and had a great time. The weather was perfect. I haven't seen that much "green" in a long time!

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Today's Cat Stuff: Nothing new here. I do know I have to get cat food before I go to work this morning, or ELSE!!

Today's Craft Stuff: Working on the same beaded bag. S l o o o o w going!

Today's Computer Stuff: Blogger lost me! It took me several days to get that one straightened out!

I know, I know, its several months away, but when your work is slow you gotta start early! So, I've put away the things I make for myself, or for just fun, and I'm working on Christmas presents.
This is a counted cross stitch picture of John Wayne that I designed for my sister-in-law for Christmas. I would say its about 1/10th done...ha ha! The pattern export of the finished product is on the left, of course, and the piece I'm working on is on the right.



Also working on a project with some friends...a crochet along. Just a piece I did in the pattern to see what the brown beads on brown thread would look like....

















Todays CatStuff: Ever seen a cat who had to have their hind end shaved? Well, Bitty Kitty had most of the hair on her bottom and about 2 inches up her tail clipped off cause she'd been sick. Poor thing, I thought it might be embarrassing for me to take a picture of her. But then I might anyway! LOL

Today's PuterStuff: Nothing, busy and not enough time to keep this blog updated properly.

Today's CraftStuff: If it can hold my attention it will get done!!!!

Doilies, and MORE doilies

Been busy thread crocheting. Adding pics of two finished doilies, the large (blue, green, cream) has already been given to my sister. The small (purple varigated) is going to a friend, and hasn't been blocked/starched. Doesn't travel well in the mail that way! I'm also working on a sling bag for myself (supposedly) and a shrug.

Today's Cat Stuff: Nothing new in the cattery.

Today's Crafty Stuff: I'm putting away my counted cross stitch projects (the ones being made for myself). Its time to start Christmas presents!!

Today's puter stuff: mail, lots of it!

Trying a new thing...

...CLOthing! Its been years since I crocheted a piece of clothing. Big old bulky sweaters for my dad and hubby. So I'm trying a pattern from Berroco, called Blue Shrug, I think. Its a little different. I'm using LusterSheen in a sage green, and a "0" hook. We'll see how it works out.







Another project. A phone that we could NOT make work, made an interesting nightlight. Just something that popped into hubby's head, so I made it work!












Just a random cat picture!











Today's crafty stuff: Not much, just a little crochet between work and chores
Today's cat stuff: Food?
Today's puter stuff: Trying to update web site, blog and group home pages!

Dreaming in Black and White

I have made teeny-tiny black stitches until I'm dreaming about making black stitches!!!
I gotta stop and do something else...

Spring has sprung here in the Southwest...maybe its time to do yard work, instead of BLACK!!


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Today's Cat Stuff: Bitty Kitty is a year old! Happy BD crazy cat!
Today's Craft Stuff: Starting a new CAL with the RCC bunch, that will get my mind off BLACK
Today's Puter Stuff: Renewing, updating puter security.

Thank you, Kristine!

A very nice lady emailed me and provided a correction for my Cherries Jubilee 12" Square pattern. I will list the correction here, and then edit the correction into the original post.
Kristine, I appreciate you taking the time to let me hear from you!
6. Sl st to next corner space. Ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc in the same space, *dc in next cluster and 2 dc in next space, hdc in next cluster and 2 hdc in next space, sc in next cluster and 2 sc in next space, sc in next cluster and 2 sc in next space, sc in next cluster, 2 hdc in next space, hdc in next cluster, 2 dc in next space, dc in next cluster, 2 dc-ch 2-2 dc in next space*, repeat from * to * around, ending with 2 dc in next space, join with sl st to the top of the beginning cluster of this row. Finish off soft white.

What's a blog without pictures?? Some pictures of some of my XS designs.













And a cat!











And family!!

Helpful Libby

So, Libby and I (?) are working on a crochet-along bag with RockingChairCrocheters. Its been a while since I've made something out of yarn...she was happy!
I'm actually making two bags during the crochet-along because I've been home from work since Tuesday. Bronchitis, injured ribs, and Dr.'s orders to stay home and get well. Took about 18 hours for the boredom to set in!












The two bags I am working on. The green is two strands of baby 3 ply. The other is 4 ply ww and needs about 10 rows added before I can move to the next part












Today's CatStuff: Just the never ending crochet help from the two olders
Today's CraftyStuff: Staving off boredom, working on the bags and Mild Menagerie
Today's PuterStuff: Been working on some xs patterns. Nothing earth shattering!

Finished Object 2006

I finished my sister's counted cross stitch cross. Now I'm looking for a suitable frame for it. But...IT'S DONE!
Have several other projects on the frames or hooks, depending on what it is we're talking about!















Today's crafty stuff: frames? Working on Cat's Eyes, finishing an afghan, some other things.
Today's cat stuff: Been gone 3 days, and the girls missed us of course, but Jazz REALLY missed Jimmy! Silly cat
Today's puter stuff: Just mail, and the usual work stuff!

Back to the Big City!

The LTC facility where I work was purchased by another company. Now they think we should all be retrained! So its off to the big city, Albuquerque, to learn how to do the job I've been doing for 8 years! ~sigh~
The lady I sent the doily I just finished to was kind enough to send me a picture of it, so I could put it here.














Also, a peek at my next design project...