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...

And now there's five...

I think with the amount of background to be done it is about 2/3 finished? Can't wait to get it framed and hung! I'm very impatient that way.
I completely forgot to take pictures of the doily and bookmarks before I mailed them.

Today's CatStuff: only the thread kind!
Today's CraftyStuff: Gotta get busy on some WIP's and get them finished up
Today's PuterStuff: Found lots of frames to play with for my PSP 8, I appreciated the talented people who can do that and all I have to do is adopt them!

Designs--framed?

OK, I'll quit playing...I finally figured out how to frame my pattern exports pictures so people could see what they might look like in "person". Been having fun with it, but have learned that I need a BIGGER selection of frames! So...the hunt is on.








Today's CatStuff: They certainly miss me when I'm gone, KW too, its nice to have 3 animals so excited to see you when you get home!
Today's CraftyStuff: Working on Cat's Eyes, and my sign. Also crocheted for a while on a scarf, and finished a doily.
Today's PuterStuff: Going searching for PSP frames!

My poor car!

An uninsured motorist ran a stop sign and crunched my car! Of all things! How did he get his registration without insurance? And he's diabled, AND he's unemployed...do you think he'll pay for this? NOT!!!! argghhhhhhhhhh!!









Not a lot else happening at this end of the world. Been doing some crocheting, almost through with this current project, picture coming soon! Also working on a couple of counted cross stitch, tho right now concentrating on an Olympic CHallenge piece...supposed to be done by the time I watch the closing ceremonies....not sure that that will happen!
Today's CatStuff: not much, cats is cats
Today's PuterStuff: nothing new there either
Today's CraftyStuff: step by step!


My sign, will go in my office, eventually will read "Put on your big girl hat and DEAL with it!"








A crochet exchange gift I received from Rhonda. The earrings are crocheted with wire...I have GOT to try this!! Thanks, Rhonda!

Slowly she stitched...

...step by step, inch by inch! One thing about crochet that is nice is that after I've worked several hours I have inches of work to show for it. A few hours of counted cross stitch can result in ONE inch of work! Had to frog the lower part of cat #4's face last night. Takes as long to get those stitches out as it did to get them in there...longer actually!

I love BIG cats, too. This is a pattern I'm currently editing for counted cross stitch. What a great cat!










Today's crafty stuff: Will be working on a Valentine's Day project this evening, need to get it mailed in a day or two, then working on either the Cat's Eyes or cross.

Today's puter stuff: Looking for some sort of program that will put a frame on my cross stitch patterns. Virtual frames, I guess.

Today's cat stuff: Not much...cats is cats!

Crochet Slump

Ever just get in a slump, and have to MAKE yourself do something...even something you love to do? Can't get motivated to crochet. I need to finish designing something I started, and it just lays there, waiting to be finished. I have been stitchin', just not with hook and yarn/thread.

So...making a little progress with this pattern. Cat's Eyes.

Today's Crafty stuff: Not much, someone talk me into crocheting!!

Today's Puter stuff: Designed a bookmark for my friend/co-worker

Today's Cat stuff: Bitty Kitty is about to go get f-i-x-e-d, shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, don't tell her!

HUGE ambition!

I have 18 species of hummingbirds that I am graphing for counted cross stitch. Each species will live in a square on an Anne cloth, 18 count, for a counted cross stitch afghan.
I may be through with this piece in 2010..what do you think? I think its a HUGE ambition, as my title says...but ambition is something I'm full of. I'm just not FULL of time to finish all my projects. Maybe when I retire?? I'm still editing almost all of the pieces. Calliope is finished, and about six others.

WIPs for 2006--CXS

My sister's cross (above). My pattern, a picture of an antique masonry cross. On black aida, 14 count.

A "just because", for me. Working on 22 count aida.

Finished 2005

My very first finished counted cross stitch
(My pattern)

Okay, okay...

...its not a cat! But, I've been laughing so hard, I decided to post a picture. My sister-in-law got a new Chihuahua puppy, and of course it was freezing. So crochet hook to the rescue! Got some worsted weight and some eyelash-type yarn and went to work.
Now, I have cats (they wouldn't be caught DEAD in a sweater) and a big, hairy dog (no sweater required) and so I'm thinking "how hard can this be?" The sweater turned out so CUTE...til I tried to put the thing on the puppy! It was like stuffing a pillow into sandwich bag! By the time I was through dressing the poor thing she was exhausted and so was I...from laughing so hard.
So its back to the drawing board...don't make dogs one piece sweaters that you THINK they will just slip into...ain't gonna work!

Projects done, un-done, and undone!

Finished the Retriever counted cross stitch for my mom, sorry about the glare on the glass. So will be trying to get my OTHER Christmas project finished as soon as I can, had to tell my sister I wasn't finished with hers, cause it took so long to finish this one.
Also didn't finish the star afghan...so will give my nephew the giant granny meant for another family member...and finish the star for later.


Why does it get so hectic at Christmas? My nerves were really frazzled this year, and the PEOPLE everywhere. I didn't find any Grinches while out and about, but cannot figure out where they all CAME FROM!

Projects for the New Year??? Oh yeah, as soon as I finish projects for 2005! The only plans I have are for an afghan, made from an Anne Cloth, counted cross stitch. It will eventually be someone's but its first purpose will be the San Juan County Fair in August...bet get started ASAP

Today's cat stuff: You should have seen, or not seen, the cats last night. We had 25 people here to presents and dinner...the only one who braved the crowd was the dog! The cats just conveniently disappeared!

Today's handy stuff: Absolutely NOTHING!!!

Today's puter stuff: Just this quick update! Oh, and a picture of BittyKitty...thought I'd better get a "middle" teen picture in here...she will be a full year on Easter!










Guess I should leave out the other either! Jazz and Libby here enjoying my crocheting...at least someone loves it! They think I crochet in order for them to have a comfy place to nap!