tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2724308681786513022024-03-19T03:29:38.945-04:00Tasty CrochetRosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-80639099081114435572013-06-09T09:00:00.000-04:002013-06-09T09:00:05.524-04:00Gecko FreckoHave you heard of Gecko Frecko? No? Then let me tell you about him.<br />
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Gecko Frecko is the companion of my youngest son, Benjamin. Gecko Frecko sleeps with Benjamin every night, and even went camping with him. He is content to snuggle under the covers, but mainly he sits right on top of Benjamin while he's falling asleep, like a scaly sentry making sure that bad dreams stay away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEgkAHKLJd3UfyvuJ7lIbxe7Ez3NvV0Mm-J1jM5Fjabdde0TPNd6AavDcQSN8v_g_Fpzuqbs1iRDAgNoyRhfn4qajNWqFQPxu4yoQCBrir5jMCgU1ALn2GOJboz47BKL4I8QG5IVfAvu-/s1600/Gecko+Frecko+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEgkAHKLJd3UfyvuJ7lIbxe7Ez3NvV0Mm-J1jM5Fjabdde0TPNd6AavDcQSN8v_g_Fpzuqbs1iRDAgNoyRhfn4qajNWqFQPxu4yoQCBrir5jMCgU1ALn2GOJboz47BKL4I8QG5IVfAvu-/s640/Gecko+Frecko+004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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While I was making Gecko Frecko, Benjamin literally sat by my side for hours, watching my hands and watching his new friend grow. When I had everything done except for the eyes, I handed him over. I ended up needing to sneak and steal him back in order to add the eyes several weeks later!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gvy2hYvurRrrpwhry4x60ybTGyo1PLu9VOfOb2dKqe3uIIsbJbxa2oV4b10wyTitBcEaqD74CpToQMuGoyZmbO_r9vdj_t5jyZkZId0wOwkLLvrfa6ady1VUBy5zWF0Woe6ehAXrB41y/s1600/Gecko+Frecko+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gvy2hYvurRrrpwhry4x60ybTGyo1PLu9VOfOb2dKqe3uIIsbJbxa2oV4b10wyTitBcEaqD74CpToQMuGoyZmbO_r9vdj_t5jyZkZId0wOwkLLvrfa6ady1VUBy5zWF0Woe6ehAXrB41y/s640/Gecko+Frecko+002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I absolutely loved the way this pattern is written! Let me tell you why.<br />
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I am not a big chart person. I can make do with one, but I prefer to have both line by line instructions and a chart to refer to if I need a visual. But in general, I spend more time squinting at the chart trying to figure out where I'm supposed to be than I really should.<br />
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But <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gecko-frecko" target="_blank">Gecko Frecko</a>, he's a special one. The author, Raphaela Blumenbunt, used line by line instructions, but with symbols! So each line, instead of being incredibly wordy, contains the symbols for the stitches required. She took the best of written patterns and the best of charting and fit them together. I found this pattern incredibly easy to follow, and the finished Gecko is extraordinarily cute. Even if I did put one of his legs on upside down. Ahem.<br />
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I sincerely hope that everyone makes themselves a Gecko Frecko! Be sure to read the abbreviations and explanations closely at the beginning of the pattern, and this lizard will fly off of your hook!Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-46386272199318064752013-06-05T13:40:00.000-04:002013-06-05T13:40:37.155-04:00Capelets For My GirlsThe warmer weather has brought much hustle and bustle to our household. We keep a fairly large vegetable garden out back, and we are also heavily involved in our local community garden. Every Wednesday night and Saturday morning, you can find either my husband or I out there gardening with friends. Every afternoon during out toddler's nap, I'm outside in the back planting, weeding, harvesting, and observing our own garden. I have to say that at this time of year, growing thing trumps yarncrafting, except on rainy days.<br />
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That said, I do have a couple of very special projects to share...one created this spring and the other the year before.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoE_Gzr52pWBF1poBKt7TfX8qBly4PzaU-hfLuQBiBnaJwfkapnXsdw_yZUtITH702bZVsUf4KC6JL1hfV5Ey0ITnXb6ZIiI_mQb2NEZfR2MWVdiLWuP-uehhQRpQS_SfgnwoPLXZH9-B/s1600/Susannah+shawl+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoE_Gzr52pWBF1poBKt7TfX8qBly4PzaU-hfLuQBiBnaJwfkapnXsdw_yZUtITH702bZVsUf4KC6JL1hfV5Ey0ITnXb6ZIiI_mQb2NEZfR2MWVdiLWuP-uehhQRpQS_SfgnwoPLXZH9-B/s640/Susannah+shawl+011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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My daughter middle child received her First Holy Communion this year, and like for her older sister the year before, I made her a keepsake capelet to wear over her dress. We sat down together and went through the Ravelry pattern database to find something that she liked. As you can see, she loves all things frilly, lacy, and girly so she chose the pattern <a href="http://www.knittingdaily.com/media/p/14010.aspx" target="_blank">Chanson En Crochet</a> by Mari Lynn Patrick. The pattern calls for bulky yarn and a large hook to fit an adult, so we scaled down by using DK yarn and a G hook. This pattern had a very extensive errata, so if you try it out, make sure you get the errata too!<br />
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The year before, for my oldest daughter, I didn't give her the chance to pick out a pattern, because I wanted it to be a surprise for her.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfzjhSd83SPZAGR__MFDiAhEfv9ss9XIs_dX_bzVm_QOQY8KaA8m0OVtVnyj-N-6nI6Db3-WqgHC8xwwlMinY7VehHyEFp7zlQs6pdhLPqugxEE8blcDslf0GGqUNr6NSPFiLPFWwH3Gy/s1600/Communion+capelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfzjhSd83SPZAGR__MFDiAhEfv9ss9XIs_dX_bzVm_QOQY8KaA8m0OVtVnyj-N-6nI6Db3-WqgHC8xwwlMinY7VehHyEFp7zlQs6pdhLPqugxEE8blcDslf0GGqUNr6NSPFiLPFWwH3Gy/s640/Communion+capelet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijInNOjORg94kmmAuIbxgusPxCx_42u_Zj1qXmmo7u2YBid4S0lYPqpk-Ee4Ekpy2g8cb52FNicOWeNOTUjh69230X2GdeSK_m5O_uaFSQjnV-O9_17ywq6K6O-QQE8QNntZvygIAxOsiM/s1600/Communion+capelet+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijInNOjORg94kmmAuIbxgusPxCx_42u_Zj1qXmmo7u2YBid4S0lYPqpk-Ee4Ekpy2g8cb52FNicOWeNOTUjh69230X2GdeSK_m5O_uaFSQjnV-O9_17ywq6K6O-QQE8QNntZvygIAxOsiM/s640/Communion+capelet+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Obviously this one is knit rather than crochet, but it fits her style and personality very well. Most of the time she likes her clothing to be very simple, though she does have her moments of grandeur and pomp in her style. This pattern is simply called <a href="http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Knitting/Projects/Accessories/LW1481+Knit+Capelet.htm" target="_blank">Knit Capelet</a> and it was written by Mary Jane Protus. Once again, this pattern called for bulky yarn, but I wanted to use something lighter weight, so I used DK and added two lace repeats.<br />
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I really hope that my girls will keep these capelets and, if they have children of their own, pass them down the line.Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-40033031156999896192013-02-23T15:16:00.000-05:002013-02-23T15:16:38.793-05:00Yarn for Free or on the Cheap<br />
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I feel that human beings have an intrinsic need to create. The need to <i>make </i>and <i>do</i> is as
embedded in our DNA as color of our eyes and hair. There is something about creativity that feeds
the soul and drives the spirit. Our
passions create the beauty in life, be it through poetry, yarncrafting,
painting, cooking, singing and dancing, or any of the plethora of other outlets
available to us. There are many things
we can make and do without spending any money, such as singing or writing. But crocheting and knitting are not things
that we can do without certain supplies.
Like yarn.</div>
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When we find ourselves inspired to make, but lack the cold
hard cash to buy squishy new yarn, it can be a little disheartening and
discouraging. There are, however,
several ways that we can get the materials we need for free or on the cheap.</div>
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<b>FREE<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Shop your stash!</b> This one is the most obvious but also one of
the most difficult to do, mentally. Many
of us have purchased yarn that we intended to use for a specific project, or
yarn that we brought home just because it was beautiful or soft and we wanted to
have it. When we have had a specific
project in mind for a specific yarn, it can be hard to picture it used for
anything else, but it can be! You can use the awesome
search function on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/" target="_blank">Ravelry</a> to look for patterns that use yarn in the weight and
fiber that you have on hand. If you look
in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns" target="_blank">Ravelry database for the yarn</a> that you want to use, you will see a ‘project
ideas’ tab that will show you projects that other Ravelry users have made with
that yarn. And if you don’t have a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>
account, sign up now! It’s free and an
amazing resource!</div>
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<b>Get the word out! </b>Tell all of the crafty people you know
that you are a willing recipient of any extra yarn they may have! Tell your friends, coworkers, grandma,
sister, etc. Use resources such as
Freecycle and Craigslist…not only can you look through the free listings, but
you can make one of your own asking for yarn.
The only catch is this: don’t be picky!
You may be a yarn snob, but free yarn is better than no yarn. In addition, when you accept something from
someone once, they are more likely to send their generosity your way in the
future. </div>
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<b>Remember those UFOs? </b>We all have them. Some of us may be mildly ashamed of the
number of them hidden in project bags and in the backs of closets. <i>Ahem. </i>Take a good look at your UFOs and decide
if you’re really going to finish them.
If not? Frog it! Reclaim that yarn with joy and feel guilty
about your unfinished objects no more!
Similarly, if you have ever created something that you just didn’t like
as much as you had hoped, or at all even, don’t be afraid to rip it all out and
reuse the yarn. What is the point of
having something around that you don’t enjoy, or that reminds you of all of the
hard work you put in for a less than pleasing outcome?</div>
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<b>Speaking of frogging…</b> Do you have an old store bought sweater that
you just don’t like anymore, but you’ve been hanging onto it because <i>maybe</i> you’ll need it? Well now you do! You can frog sweaters, even if they aren’t
handmade. The only catch here is that
you can’t frog a sweater with serged seams, because that means that the yarn
has been cut and will therefore be useless to you. There is a great tute <b><a href="http://www.craftstylish.com/item/9839/how-to-recycle-yarn-from-a-thrift-store-sweater" target="_blank">here</a></b> that shows how to frog a sweater, and also what to look for in the seams to be
sure the sweater you have will work.</div>
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<b>ON THE CHEAP<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Thrift store/salvage
store/yard sale/rummage sale</b> One can often find yarn at any of these
places, but go beyond looking just for yarn!
Look for sweaters that can be frogged using the method in the above link. Also, I see a whole lot of afghans at thrift
stores, to the tune of $3-$4 each. That’s
a whole lot of yarn for a little bit of money!
When you look at afghans and blankets in thrift stores, there are a couple
of different things to look for to make sure it can be frogged. First of all, check to see if the yarn has
matted at all. I have found that older
plastic (acrylic) yarn can become matted in almost the same way that wool
felts. Likewise, the older the acrylic,
the more prone to breakage it is while you’re dismantling it so check it for any signs of brittleness. Take a good look and make sure the yarn isn’t
unraveling anywhere and there aren’t any spots with insect damage. Keep in mind that if you choose a
granny-square blanket, you will have many scraps of yarn, whereas if you are
buying a ripple blanket in just a couple of colors, the yarn will be much
easier to work with.</div>
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Is there something you do to get your yarn for free or cheap
that I don’t have listed here? Please
post a comment!</div>
Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-28467666755174261532013-02-13T20:21:00.000-05:002013-02-13T20:21:18.193-05:00Lenten Fast<br />
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Usually it doesn’t take much thought for me to decide what
to give up for Lent. One year it was
chocolate, another it was buying yarn, another it was all shopping online (even
browsing). One year in addition to
giving up something, I chose to also use it as a time to be more aware of my
personal behavior and change some ingrained habits that made me…and
others…unhappy.</div>
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This year, I was really racking my brain trying to think of
what I could do during this forty day period that would have a positive impact
on my family and help us to think of the many people in our world for whom
going without isn’t limited to 40 out of 365 days. What we have decided to do is something a
little more intense and drastic than anything we’ve done before. For the period of Lent, we are embarking on a
bit of an adventure that stops just short of being voluntary poverty.</div>
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There are many different aspects of what we are planning,
some easy (no going out to eat) and some harder (no buying <i>anything non-food</i> unless it affects our health or welfare), and
some in between. We will be dedicated to
trying to put on ourselves the same restrictions that many of our fellow humans
around the world have, such as only purchasing food if we can get it locally
and it will fit in our diminished food budget.
We will have to be much more vigilant than ever about ensuring that not
a single thing goes to waste. The
television and video games will be unplugged, much to the chagrin of our
children. </div>
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So this affects my crafting life pretty significantly. I<b> won’t be buying yarn or even browsing
online</b> to look at beautiful spun fiber; nor will I be indulging the senses by
going to yarns stores to pet the pretties.
I won’t be buying any new craft supplies. I’m not even going to think about what new
creative tools I can acquire when Lent is over.
I’m going to live with what I have and nothing else. I’m hoping that a nice side effect of this
freeze on bringing new items into the house will inspire me to look more
closely at what I do have and think of new ways to use it. Hopefully, I'll be able to share some of these ideas, along with thoughts on creating for free or on the cheap.</div>
Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-50588941042958001352013-01-15T13:12:00.001-05:002013-01-15T13:12:29.743-05:00Cast Iron Skillet Handle Covers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xMykoQJ4AnrKQzpXrDQIJPVRDQMwoJqUgFcmuhX7RMnPR3o_WZIIg8bMKnYiIyseYPFmooUkm0t52tPEOaMpqh0fbAWdLc0mdHHeYvCJDj8I5B0U6hMkTfjXTylk_7ZODQ4qVNIEQkF0/s1600/cast+iron+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xMykoQJ4AnrKQzpXrDQIJPVRDQMwoJqUgFcmuhX7RMnPR3o_WZIIg8bMKnYiIyseYPFmooUkm0t52tPEOaMpqh0fbAWdLc0mdHHeYvCJDj8I5B0U6hMkTfjXTylk_7ZODQ4qVNIEQkF0/s640/cast+iron+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I obviously met my tentative goal of finishing at least two projects this week! Not only did I crochet stuff, but I wrote a pattern as well! Phew, I'm all worn out!</div>
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We are big cast iron users here at the Langlitz household. Every day, we use cast iron at least once. And you would think that I would remember that when cast iron heats up, it heats the whole pan. <i>Including the handle</i>. Alas, at least once a week, I forget. And it can be a painful sort of forgetting. </div>
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So I finally got around to doing something about it. And, I figure there are other scatterbrained people like me who don't remember that things on top of fire get hot, so I wrote up this very simple pattern to share with you.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEakdLKnG1DEMobWrDE9e2z_05kb0Jj8siAfXbDWOj6JQrwBB9JEa1CSEadjwbPSyQKtzhkk5QSUBkOGMjyMQT5nYz50R1tRlAeFPpoNvu06V1MCX5M_jO0I3GF5wwT1juVFjIau5V0iGw/s1600/cast+iron+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEakdLKnG1DEMobWrDE9e2z_05kb0Jj8siAfXbDWOj6JQrwBB9JEa1CSEadjwbPSyQKtzhkk5QSUBkOGMjyMQT5nYz50R1tRlAeFPpoNvu06V1MCX5M_jO0I3GF5wwT1juVFjIau5V0iGw/s640/cast+iron+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Materials:<br />
Worsted weight cotton yarn (I used Sugar 'n Cream)<br />
G (4mm) Hook<br />
Tapestry needle for weaving ends<br />
<br />
NOTES: I recommend weaving in the tail from the foundation chain before you get to round 7. After that, it's very hard to do. Also, please don't use acrylic yarn...as with all plastics, it will melt. Additionally, this cover is for stovetop use, please don't leave it on a pan that is going in the oven.<br />
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Ch6<br />
<br />
Round 1. Sc 5, rotate your work clockwise and sc 5 across, working in the free loop of each chain from the foundation row. (10 sts)<br />
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Round 2. Inc in first st, sc in next 3, inc* to the end (14 sts)<br />
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Round 3. Inc in first st, sc in next 5, inc* to the end (18 sts)<br />
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Rounds 4 and 5. Sc in each sc around<br />
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Round 6. Sc 4, dec, sc7 ,dec, sc3 (16)<br />
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Rounds 7 thru 20. Sc in each sc around<br />
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Round 21. Reverse single crochet in each stitch.<br />
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Tie off and weave in your ends! If you don't like the RSC border, you can always leave it plain or add something like a simple picot edging.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWdIFVMKzxhyphenhyphentpiuB2UPjxfy4UKGycSGHeLWCJZvLgYZNhjzi9C739aqTMXq1EMFkIEqRiGTv_NdCEICeW0I6ZxxtFRoIFjj6rvmhYnSC9GvfQ-DqCQ1fNz2l8VqR3afNVfShIEIIKNZW/s1600/cast+iron+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWdIFVMKzxhyphenhyphentpiuB2UPjxfy4UKGycSGHeLWCJZvLgYZNhjzi9C739aqTMXq1EMFkIEqRiGTv_NdCEICeW0I6ZxxtFRoIFjj6rvmhYnSC9GvfQ-DqCQ1fNz2l8VqR3afNVfShIEIIKNZW/s640/cast+iron+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com71tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-29177828532252900762013-01-10T07:19:00.000-05:002013-01-10T07:36:23.399-05:00Crafty Reso...Er, GoalsI don't much care for resolutions. The very word is off-putting, unless we're talking about screen resolution, and then it's just something that this non-tech-savvy chick doesn't quite understand. I'm talking about the kind of resolutions that people feel compelled to make at the beginning of every new year.<br />
<br />
"I have made a resolution to lose 20 pounds."<br />
"I resolve to save $xx.xx and pay off my credit card debt."<br />
"My New Year's resolution is to quit smoking (or drinking, or nagging my husband, etc.)"<br />
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How realistic is that really? Maybe if you're a go-getter. I have a sister like that. She sets her sights on what she wants, and doesn't stop until she has it. I admire that kind of motivation but I don't possess whatever it is that makes it happen. I'm the kind of person who doesn't even tell the kids about the trip to the Zoo that I have planned until right before we leave. Just in case something else comes up, like all of them having meltdowns within 5 minutes of each other. In that case, I like to lock myself in the bathroom with some wine, a book, music, and a bath and let my sweet husband take care of it. (Thanks, Dear!) They never knew that something fun was going to happen; therefore they aren't disappointed and I don't have to feel like I failed. Voila!<br />
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I like to make goals, but not just any goals. <i>Tentative </i>goals. The kind of goals that are nice to think about, but if they don't happen, it's <i>OK</i>. For example, I'll make the tentative goal to not eat out all week long. A nice homemade, whole food dinner every night of the week. But if I end up asking my husband (he's so awesome) to pick up Chipotle one night when I'm just not feeling it, it's ok. Because my goal was tentative. It almost doesn't count. All right, I do occasionally make goals that I really really mean, but they're still not resolutions. Just maybe firm goals.<br />
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The point of all of the preceding verbal dribble is this: I have an exceedingly large yarn stash. Embarrassingly large. So big, that I feel like it is really almost more like furniture than crafting supplies. Sure, I take it out and admire it and think of all of the things I could make with it, but I don't do enough of the <i>making. </i>So I've made the tentative goal of creating two finished objects per week. Should be easy, right? I mean, I could make two dishcloths in just a couple of hours if I wanted to.<br />
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Heck, as soon as I put the sleeve on this sweater that I've been working on for two months (and ignoring for 3 weeks) I'll be halfway there.<br />
<br />Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-39873793950788289542012-11-17T15:19:00.000-05:002012-11-17T15:19:04.983-05:00Let the Gift Crafting BeginI feel so behind schedule already! I always mean to start the Holiday making waaaay back in August, and I always manage to procrastinate until November. But, at least I managed to get my lazy butt up and get started.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLl5nT42NG1YAaG-_VQeOdkeXsM8n76Mhu7L9WuXciiVtNkKFOP4Tgs_ih4eXCuZzZYIeoKkfLDkY_JG6oaeDHFR0pQNrZku05FOdlLdW7O2xldAyLcKP8WQLvhtkg1xcQ0MK1yViaHfy/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLl5nT42NG1YAaG-_VQeOdkeXsM8n76Mhu7L9WuXciiVtNkKFOP4Tgs_ih4eXCuZzZYIeoKkfLDkY_JG6oaeDHFR0pQNrZku05FOdlLdW7O2xldAyLcKP8WQLvhtkg1xcQ0MK1yViaHfy/s640/011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I made these mitts using the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/basic-fingerless-gloves-for-guys" target="_blank">Basic Fingerless Gloves for Guys</a> pattern by Jen Spears. I made a lot of mods to make this fit a hand my size. You can read my notes on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Rose001/basic-fingerless-gloves-for-guys" target="_blank">Ravelry page.</a><br />
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This hat was actually a custom for a trade. I used the <a href="http://www.crochettoday.com/crochet-patterns/floral-cloche" target="_blank">Floral Cloche</a> pattern from Crochet Today. I don't think I've ever made anything quite so pink before, but it's really cute, and I especially like the three tier flower.</div>
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This little hat was made from Linda Permann's <a href="https://www.craftsy.com/pattern/crocheting/accessory/little-sister-hat/34620" target="_blank">Little Sister Hat</a>, for my cousin's (almost here!) new baby. Speaking of Linda Permann, everyone should check out her patterns, because Wowza! she designs some beautiful stuff.</div>
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And lastly, I've got my fabric for gift bags washed, and some of it cut. I'm not super experienced with the sewing machine...as a matter of fact I haven't used it since last year's bag making! But I trust that I'll manage to figure it out again!</div>
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What are you crafting for the Holiday season?</div>
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<br />Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-76911343639264769812012-11-08T11:18:00.001-05:002012-11-09T10:01:41.651-05:00Autumn Table<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love the Autumn. No other season brings me such a feeling of comfort, rest, and home as does the Autumn. I try to take the time to pay attention, to notice all of the slow changes around me. It's much different than the Springtime, with the awe of new growth and the animals and insects waking up and venturing further each day. In the Autumn, it is a little harder to see all of the little changes that happen. Slowly, we realize that the woodchucks aren't darting here and there, the spiders have stopped their frenzy of web construction and destruction, plants let go of their leaves and concentrate their energy on keeping roots strong for the upcoming winter.<br />
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I try to encourage my children to bring a little of the outdoors in...colorful leaves, acorns, rocks with interesting shapes, and so on. Because while the outside is getting ready for winter so are we, nesting in the home and thinking of the season ahead, and we could use the reminder of the beauty of this season.<br />
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Benjamin, my four (almost five!) year old put together the decoration for our Autumn Table, using bits and bobs from the outside and leftovers from last Autumn's nature table. In the glass container and Mason jar, he put pine cones from the park, buckeyes from the community garden, and acorns from a neighbors tree. Around that, he put small squash from a local pumpkin patch, and a pie pumpkin from a friends garden. Moving outward, there are small wooden candle holders that we thrifted a couple of years ago, with beeswax candles that the kids rolled themselves. And of course, my favorite salt and pepper shakers in the shape of snails that came from a garage sale two summers ago.<br />
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I expect this display to change as the season progresses. The pumpkin will soon be used for something delicious, the decorative squash will eventually make their way to compost, and new outside treasures will be brought in as they are found. And throughout, we'll sit down at our family table and be reminded to notice the changes of the world outside.</div>
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Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-47307140471475521982012-11-04T06:00:00.000-05:002012-11-05T08:03:22.879-05:00Crocheting Garments<br />
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I love using crochet to make structural items…toys, baskets,
bags, and so on. But I’ve had a hard
time trying to find the love for using crocheted fabric for clothing. I feel a little bit like a traitor for mostly
*knitting* the wearables that I make, since crochet was my first love. There is a little part of me that wonders if
I may be turning into a knit snob…you know those people who look at crocheting
as a granny-square craft, only good for creating afghans or lumpy, ill fitting,
and out of date garments. I know that I
won’t ever really be one of those people, but I felt compelled to spend some
time thinking about why I am so hesitant to pick up the hook to make the same
garments that I would knit without hesitation.</div>
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I identified several “sticking points”, but the one that I
think was the biggest deal for me was that many of the patterns that are out
there for crocheted clothing really don’t pay much attention to the drape of
the fabric. There have been many times
that I have started to make a cardigan or a sweater for one of my kids and
discovered that the fabric was as stiff as a piece of cardboard. I discovered that to suit my taste, the
standard hook recommendations on yarn labels are too small. And in general, the lighter weight
(fingering, sport) yarns look better for garment construction.</div>
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What I decided to do was go through my yarn stash and choose a yarn, and go from there in building my own garment.</div>
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The yarn I chose was <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/welcomme-le-tweed-angora" target="_blank">Welcomme Le Tweed Angora</a>,
which is now discontinued. It is listed
as an aran weight, but is really more of a light DK yarn. I fiddled around with it until I found a hook
size and stitch that I liked…those happened to be an H hook and the Extended
Single Crochet stitch. I didn’t want a
stitch as firm as the SC, but I don’t care for the DC used in wearables.</div>
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I had decided to make a sweater vest with buttons on one
shoulder for my youngest daughter, but not in the size she was at the time. I used the Craft Yarn Council’s <a href="http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/sizing.html" target="_blank">sizing guidelines</a> as a guide for sizing. I made myself a
gauge swatch, and did the math. I
started in the round and worked from the bottom to the armpits, then split for
the front and back. Since the stitching
would look difference once I was working back and forth rather than in the
round, I decided to add some Back Post Extended Single Crochet rows as accents,
similar to the way garter ridges are used as accents in knitting. In the end, I’m very pleased with the vest,
and the only thing I would have done differently is the width of the shoulder
straps…I would have made the back and the front a little narrower by about
three stitches. I want to try this again
in a fingering weight yarn and compare the results. My guess is that I would like the lighter
weight garment even better.</div>
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In the end, I think that crochet can make beautifully draped clothing and elegant garments with a solid fabric, but the yarn needs to be finer and the hooks a little bigger.<br />
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Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-6981826810339265122012-07-22T06:00:00.000-04:002012-11-03T16:09:47.506-04:00Knitting For Baby<br />
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I did a lot of yarncrafting while I was expecting my
youngest baby. You could say that the
2010/2011 winter was a blur of yarn…as a matter of fact, I don’t really
remember much else of the midpoint of that pregnancy other than being very cold
and having aching fingers from the amount of yarn that I tamed.</div>
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I did a touch of crochet, but mostly I was focused on
knitting for this little one. I knit
many wool soakers, sweaters, and longies for the little girl who was growing
away in my belly. Silly me, I decided to
do several of the soaker in a true newborn size, and my dear daughter was born
at 8lbs 6 oz. Beyond that, we spent a
week in the NICU (where she put on weight and grew longer) so by the time we
got home she had already outgrown some of the cloth diapering woolies. Luckily I had made many, many things for me
sweet girl to wear.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p><span style="background-color: white;">We brought her home in a pair of wool </span>longies<span style="background-color: white;"> knit from the
</span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wondershorts-and-wonderpants-revised-2009" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Wooly Wonderpants pattern</a><span style="background-color: white;"> in a three ply yarn made by </span><a href="http://www.100purewool.com/servlet/the-1531/Worsted-Weight-3-plies/Detail" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">PureWool in the Diante colorway</a><span style="background-color: white;">. The side snap shirt, incidentally, was low-water immersion dyed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztPu0mUJ4mpSjnCMfyRMSPpY_xNM0kAvMK4pLJVKIoOIQ5UeAO3Xu1yPNOAh01qbWsw1u151jz2cdGXllBz9UayckLHFOfkrzryhfzAp-yAVh_N6cWhaCGfS0tHnnkQA7VtJrlca796Ri/s1600/Sandys+Pallete+Vest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="555" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztPu0mUJ4mpSjnCMfyRMSPpY_xNM0kAvMK4pLJVKIoOIQ5UeAO3Xu1yPNOAh01qbWsw1u151jz2cdGXllBz9UayckLHFOfkrzryhfzAp-yAVh_N6cWhaCGfS0tHnnkQA7VtJrlca796Ri/s640/Sandys+Pallete+Vest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">This top was knit using </span><a href="http://www.sandyspalette.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/1_38?osCsid=9f5d5ddf34d8045f902a155744378af2" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Sandy’s Palette Merino Sox</a><span style="background-color: white;"> and a </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-vest-2" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">vintage baby vest pattern</a><span style="background-color: white;"> by </span>Sirdar<span style="background-color: white;">. I also knit </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/TastyCrochet/baby-vest" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">another</a><span style="background-color: white;"> from the same
pattern using a beautiful reddish pink shade of vintage S.R. </span>Kertzer<span style="background-color: white;"> baby camel
hair yarn.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AbXWeagKEOkBuhDBO9BaiK6mfB92Q5-S1pviRI7nh6Xc_0yrrQqIdXTXX0dDKd7DVvN-WgrsTZLa6kmJPBonf9QstDa8mHIs8FdJC_3hPuP3KAF35W2diDaCjB7G6dem7YudesO2jLJj/s1600/Newborn_Tunic_006_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AbXWeagKEOkBuhDBO9BaiK6mfB92Q5-S1pviRI7nh6Xc_0yrrQqIdXTXX0dDKd7DVvN-WgrsTZLa6kmJPBonf9QstDa8mHIs8FdJC_3hPuP3KAF35W2diDaCjB7G6dem7YudesO2jLJj/s640/Newborn_Tunic_006_medium2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKubDG0hqTEvq6K0uqt7T2hg13OTC_J09IkneADAkzovLOON2la24PuWxULuTU_4Mjvflc0RVDb2AbJlm6gJgcDJ1nY3h6080WHvjwFpA0lewzyfJLv834_tvH7h9B83LNM3a1kvemgG7/s1600/Newborn_Tunic_016_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKubDG0hqTEvq6K0uqt7T2hg13OTC_J09IkneADAkzovLOON2la24PuWxULuTU_4Mjvflc0RVDb2AbJlm6gJgcDJ1nY3h6080WHvjwFpA0lewzyfJLv834_tvH7h9B83LNM3a1kvemgG7/s640/Newborn_Tunic_016_medium2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Another favorite was the </span><a href="http://www.pullingatstrings.com/item_868/The-Emma-Tunic-tiny-sizes-by-Pulling-at-Strings.php" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Emma Tunic</a><span style="background-color: white;"> by Jennifer Alexander using some leftover Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton! Complete with a button
picked out by the baby’s big sister.</span></div>
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I made plenty of other items for when she was older, but
there really is something special about the newborn knits, isn’t there? They are just so tiny and sweet, and a
reminder of the anticipation of a new family member.</div>
Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-69343539589485451042012-07-19T06:00:00.000-04:002012-07-19T06:00:00.019-04:00Down at Fraggle Rock<br />
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My middle daughter fell in love with the old series “Fraggle
Rock” when she saw the very first episode.
Of course, I loved the show when I was a kid, so I thought her
enthusiasm was pretty cute. She quickly
found a favorite character…Boober Fraggle.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdrFkPvysaNrB_CQfdaUs3mggBWIm0LhnTlwdD32CFjiKCGMqgCaZaT7Vv3LzRbJEZzaUSp8c8qGxdIkMawiUiJpr8X7m-LpqaEH_a9aXZbjwQeGrVfg866QuzY9FMP-ov-w5SSVgt6JN/s1600/boober.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdrFkPvysaNrB_CQfdaUs3mggBWIm0LhnTlwdD32CFjiKCGMqgCaZaT7Vv3LzRbJEZzaUSp8c8qGxdIkMawiUiJpr8X7m-LpqaEH_a9aXZbjwQeGrVfg866QuzY9FMP-ov-w5SSVgt6JN/s1600/boober.jpg" /></a></div>
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For those who aren’t lucky enough to be familiar with the
legendary Fraggles, Boober is a
worrywart to the extreme. He prefers
activities such as washing all of his fellow Fraggles’ socks or cooking up a
big batch of radish stew more than anything else. He always has a reason why the capers of his
compatriots are just too dangerous for him.</div>
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I think my dear daughter likes him so very much because she
identifies with him. She loves to take
care of other people, and she is quite the little worrier herself. Much like her Mama, she wants to be sure that
she knows she is getting into before she even dips in a little toe. Like Boober, she can become rather anxious if
she is treading on uncertain ground.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUfpIWOLRTgDQ85lQP4ZVrEKmTqswW4BYjvyYhr1ACkJZfUimh20AtD0mA7hc6D4fS16yW5xZAcqpETfcytD4q5w2BNFGZ_SHktj36me4-PbpS6vwwyny2HMwpEVguXIi8kirMGDLmB9d/s1600/Boober_Fraggle_024b_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUfpIWOLRTgDQ85lQP4ZVrEKmTqswW4BYjvyYhr1ACkJZfUimh20AtD0mA7hc6D4fS16yW5xZAcqpETfcytD4q5w2BNFGZ_SHktj36me4-PbpS6vwwyny2HMwpEVguXIi8kirMGDLmB9d/s320/Boober_Fraggle_024b_medium2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So I knew that I had to crochet Boober Fraggle for her. I used mercerized cotton for his face and
limbs, Lion Brand Homespun for the body, Fun Fur for his hair, and I used some
random wool to knit his hat and scarf.
By far the most complicated part was shaping his face correctly, and I’m
still not satisfied with it, but my daughter loves it so that will have to be
good enough for me! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfW3cd5TGaEgQcVMfRx2V1P4IoknXogssyioaEQT7VTstQhIek4fpZkiP2YPVY9PzObkItfANnHKDGik5-dwmWm1wbKXxmYUtPP39xQJA5JYTaCQV_iqOabv7uQEo_BJXqzMSGoqxUldX/s1600/Boober_Fraggle_018b_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfW3cd5TGaEgQcVMfRx2V1P4IoknXogssyioaEQT7VTstQhIek4fpZkiP2YPVY9PzObkItfANnHKDGik5-dwmWm1wbKXxmYUtPP39xQJA5JYTaCQV_iqOabv7uQEo_BJXqzMSGoqxUldX/s320/Boober_Fraggle_018b_medium2.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
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And now my middle daughter, (in fact, she is the middle of
all five of my children) who dreams of radish gardens, can bring Boober along
on her adventures. As long as they are planned
carefully beforehand.</div>Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-72125232624667085322012-07-15T21:05:00.000-04:002012-11-03T16:12:46.936-04:00<br />
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It has been just over two years since my last blog post, and
like the last one, this post involves the end of the vacation. </div>
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There have been many changes in the days since my previous
post. There has been a job lost, and
another gained. School started, grades
passed, gifts given. A baby was born, a
sweet little girl named Joni who keeps life from getting too boring.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_znkg2JLfGP03lN7i31W8Y9jhiaMHwhetj3voOG2aFAqwk0i6F8egi2oz5G2fZlUbM4erBZowV3IH3ixSNz53M_6w0QgEmZER7Q3xJpOZRwggjOgCBDcTsN2GdIQw7l6VNfF8ApOiO8K/s1600/Joni+Stands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_znkg2JLfGP03lN7i31W8Y9jhiaMHwhetj3voOG2aFAqwk0i6F8egi2oz5G2fZlUbM4erBZowV3IH3ixSNz53M_6w0QgEmZER7Q3xJpOZRwggjOgCBDcTsN2GdIQw7l6VNfF8ApOiO8K/s640/Joni+Stands.jpg" width="491" /></a></div>
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Wool festivals have been attended. Thousands of yards of yarn have passed
through my hands over the past two years.
Many things crocheted and knit. I
don’t have quite the time for yarncrafting that I did two years ago, but I do
miss sharing the fun with everyone. As
the baby gets a little older and time just a smidge easier to come by, I hope
to get back to sharing my passion with anyone willing to listen and look.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFFy6QdwKpKm6S6Ir2S0bPMoLT2ngeYgEpX03q_zyzgQhxt39LYli9tQQXptSM-c-Ok4S5nTYjRGGoWDasGi7gNx-FFU4QZF1zGmN13z23B7HLnuyKCcsYJ-UpDqlbcEjtDZdq2jeyTM1/s1600/Blog1.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFFy6QdwKpKm6S6Ir2S0bPMoLT2ngeYgEpX03q_zyzgQhxt39LYli9tQQXptSM-c-Ok4S5nTYjRGGoWDasGi7gNx-FFU4QZF1zGmN13z23B7HLnuyKCcsYJ-UpDqlbcEjtDZdq2jeyTM1/s640/Blog1.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-85260268500825627712010-07-12T17:46:00.000-04:002010-07-12T17:46:48.568-04:00Vacation is OverAfter three weeks in Wake Forest, North Carolina, we're home again. We stayed at <a href="http://www.turtlemistfarm.com/">Turtle Mist Farm</a>, a small farm that raises grass fed beef and lamb, as well as pastured laying hens, pigs, turkeys, and ducks. The owners, Bob and Ginger Sykes, encouraged my 4 children to help out with some gardening and egg gathering which they (the kids) loved.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtAXV0-PkRH6SuyLknEiacQ5BkLo8JiPdgU36VCL6x_i83YFv2HyJr9FSdbrniF3HGDm9ALlhhiwEYbX0xw2gjZLGI8aehQGplzfp53spCfbjLIAqnIXGiIguSjuxSrXFPkAf2qob1dGr/s1600/34064_1500080106044_1355426458_1304681_3643832_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtAXV0-PkRH6SuyLknEiacQ5BkLo8JiPdgU36VCL6x_i83YFv2HyJr9FSdbrniF3HGDm9ALlhhiwEYbX0xw2gjZLGI8aehQGplzfp53spCfbjLIAqnIXGiIguSjuxSrXFPkAf2qob1dGr/s400/34064_1500080106044_1355426458_1304681_3643832_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
While we were there, Bob went and picked up some new pigs. I can't remember the breed, but they are just adorable, as far as pigs go. And they'll probably be quite tasty too. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2tRLEakoeYKt93q_0Gg8s3DMSmzrkKAKMc4D1tM7I_JZpAeBZEvZOE7tBzm_A_EVeXI4BttnRBtK-3KGxSz9J36SbzLGALdJErfUsY7NUKqfdRCpCE6T_w8oAgyzF3IERS_rgkhmUihn/s1600/34849_405134766438_505431438_4497108_4318205_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2tRLEakoeYKt93q_0Gg8s3DMSmzrkKAKMc4D1tM7I_JZpAeBZEvZOE7tBzm_A_EVeXI4BttnRBtK-3KGxSz9J36SbzLGALdJErfUsY7NUKqfdRCpCE6T_w8oAgyzF3IERS_rgkhmUihn/s400/34849_405134766438_505431438_4497108_4318205_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is Stone, a Percheron that lives at the farm. He's a retired draft horse, about 16 years old, if I remember correctly. He is just about the most gentle and patient horse. It was so hot down there that we didn't get a chance to ride, but hopefully we'll be able to make it back next year when the weather isn't quite so scorching.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had such a wonderful time while we were there, and we were lucky enough to be able to try out some of the grass fed beef raised on the farm. I've gotta tell you, I'm not much of a red meat kind of girl, but I do believe I have been converted. I recommend that everyone take a trip out to the Wake Forest Farmer's Market and pick up some of the delicious beef to try for yourself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-65487245117048749842010-06-09T23:12:00.001-04:002010-06-09T23:13:32.316-04:00Backyard Gardening<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This is the first year that I've really been able to devote much time to my little backyard garden. Before, there was always a baby to nurse, diapers to change and wash, etc. But this year, my youngest is pretty happy to play in the backyard and torment his sisters unaided. While I miss having a little baby around, I've been enjoying the freedom that comes as my kids get older. I still don't know how I managed to put together a book with a newborn, especially on such an accelerated schedule. But I digress.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqI_LmhN1VTvBw4OhwQSSP03E0j45GZzZiMoFapswjlCMu5QbNdbDzNQ9qojmjgXshZ-SxmC91fLsil8Vru_ZroLNR2JDndqSvUv39xKllsiDAbdtKs9W5oDIKsityuTB1kcS6a4cMkdD/s1600/backyard+060410+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqI_LmhN1VTvBw4OhwQSSP03E0j45GZzZiMoFapswjlCMu5QbNdbDzNQ9qojmjgXshZ-SxmC91fLsil8Vru_ZroLNR2JDndqSvUv39xKllsiDAbdtKs9W5oDIKsityuTB1kcS6a4cMkdD/s400/backyard+060410+012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The first of (hopefully) many peppers is hangin' out on this tiny plant. I've not had good luck with peppers in the past, but this year I made sure to give them a healthy dose of our compost when I put the plants in the ground. I was sure that the short cold snap we had would do them in, but they've pulled through beautifully. At present, I've got 9 jalapeno plants, 5 bell pepper plants, and one ancho chile plant.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyo5Oxs-PDLYFFCHkHFYdX1Jr9ozz-kjHI-N01JRRgILMRfjBX55gNw5LNFdk_Z0HUJtBZt1Ej6K4v_oZHD316W6MXBd1gaylJYCxB2boJE8qBY35NNb19V8u7wVxg37msQds4xfGqNllx/s1600/backyard+060410+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyo5Oxs-PDLYFFCHkHFYdX1Jr9ozz-kjHI-N01JRRgILMRfjBX55gNw5LNFdk_Z0HUJtBZt1Ej6K4v_oZHD316W6MXBd1gaylJYCxB2boJE8qBY35NNb19V8u7wVxg37msQds4xfGqNllx/s400/backyard+060410+008.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Our lovely cut-and-come-again lettuce. We've had many tasty salads from this bed. Tomorrow I'm going to go out and take the last of it before it gets too bitter. Then we'll either put in a second bed of corn, or some fall squash.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrG8HcWLjHTykJcCXOnL1aTPQ6KN2XfTMG-9egsUi47Y4WTccvsI3IfBSXk7WXkyQObhJu_axIHZ9q6j8Q_cbvqfxdJSdQA_fCDnJot_fGIGsmWWdoGUqPlxE-JiRzvBJONPj9nC7GuZx/s1600/backyard+060410+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrG8HcWLjHTykJcCXOnL1aTPQ6KN2XfTMG-9egsUi47Y4WTccvsI3IfBSXk7WXkyQObhJu_axIHZ9q6j8Q_cbvqfxdJSdQA_fCDnJot_fGIGsmWWdoGUqPlxE-JiRzvBJONPj9nC7GuZx/s400/backyard+060410+013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Bush beans! I plan to can lots of dilly beans this year.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">In addition to what's in the pictures, we've got 10 tomato plants, corn, peas, zucchini, straightneck squash, eggplant, cilantro, basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, dill, mint, stevia, lemon balm, blueberries, and strawberries. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">And cabbage. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I think that's it. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">If you don't count the wild mustard and purslane.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I think it's going to be a good year for the garden.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVzQ-xgJYCAQdKej3mHyYEaftfEkGIQy2tr57uqQ26tBmazsJ8ZRjgiF5yvr6kJac9sI_iorEAuWleEpVLMJa72JQk5ZdxJRaSXpHQ-Dj_RTioAS-wPXKbo6wpaKBfIU3aaMpvfpbSLM5/s1600/backyard+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVzQ-xgJYCAQdKej3mHyYEaftfEkGIQy2tr57uqQ26tBmazsJ8ZRjgiF5yvr6kJac9sI_iorEAuWleEpVLMJa72JQk5ZdxJRaSXpHQ-Dj_RTioAS-wPXKbo6wpaKBfIU3aaMpvfpbSLM5/s400/backyard+022.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Jack the Guardian Gnome thinks so too.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-30859423951213573822010-05-24T14:47:00.000-04:002010-05-24T14:47:04.542-04:00Oh, Baby!My sister and her husband are having their first baby this summer. All crafters know that such an occasion calls for some serious action – in the form of handmade gifts. <br />
They are going to cloth diaper the baby, (yay!) so I’ve knit a couple of wool soakers for use as covers. Now, before you look at the pictures, I want to stress the fact that I am not a proficient knitter. My knitting is merely passable, at best.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDAcuGQkZOUIAPt-4nmygiT01d_iJHjZgtrXOUYLHM6sLaGIlvFxxy0u26RkaSfGZcSn9zr1tEIsv8qGwCTywkihb4VAEYmY5zzpeWdPKpUoBYkTi8C2IVtQAm0bkLQkg3FfDunOiWNeQ/s1600/green+soaker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDAcuGQkZOUIAPt-4nmygiT01d_iJHjZgtrXOUYLHM6sLaGIlvFxxy0u26RkaSfGZcSn9zr1tEIsv8qGwCTywkihb4VAEYmY5zzpeWdPKpUoBYkTi8C2IVtQAm0bkLQkg3FfDunOiWNeQ/s320/green+soaker.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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I added the words to these two little tops using a printable iron-on transfer. One says ‘el jefe’, which means ‘the boss’ and the other says ‘guapo’ which means ‘handsome’. My brother in law is from Mexico with permanent residency status, and is about to gain full citizenship, which is very exciting!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUFk-OMX34sYmovUn_BRBEWeTpnzNPbAXulYjJRtqv1lQnh2loOhc6tcieNVgRSSCGg8haczpc5ojoxtjZYn2DWk-kxdk-AHvimnK3Tz5VYFr2DfMNVlbMM7whbTffBPsaKkeRL38gVP7/s1600/backyard+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUFk-OMX34sYmovUn_BRBEWeTpnzNPbAXulYjJRtqv1lQnh2loOhc6tcieNVgRSSCGg8haczpc5ojoxtjZYn2DWk-kxdk-AHvimnK3Tz5VYFr2DfMNVlbMM7whbTffBPsaKkeRL38gVP7/s320/backyard+023.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I love making baby things in colors that aren’t typically baby. I couldn’t resist putting the boyish blues and grays together and softening it up with the cream.<br />
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For the soakers, I used the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/snapdragon-soaker">Snapdragon Soaker</a> pattern by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/heather-eccles">Heather Eccles</a>, and the blanket is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lyns-round-ripple-baby-afghan">Lyn's Round Ripple Baby Afghan</a> by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/lyn">Lyn</a>.Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-54936152893288841452010-05-10T21:11:00.000-04:002010-05-10T21:11:42.169-04:00In My Backyard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wEXhD-vjW02rzu_j-WK_auo59GhUZ1Te4eNrROAmIwlfuaJR01hFVJeSeJKyOkpZcvjL2anWUrNJVKg88p1nmFrdi0GYu8rBcFEDhPuflef87QakB5RgY8VcjLlM8v4ed3QVB9UrxfWC/s1600/bunnies+and+blueberries+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wEXhD-vjW02rzu_j-WK_auo59GhUZ1Te4eNrROAmIwlfuaJR01hFVJeSeJKyOkpZcvjL2anWUrNJVKg88p1nmFrdi0GYu8rBcFEDhPuflef87QakB5RgY8VcjLlM8v4ed3QVB9UrxfWC/s320/bunnies+and+blueberries+015.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Blueberries</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_R6gEGz7vmKsio9EpL1OL-h3VpS94cKJ1k4sESJ4DCx9e4zch00JE22wJPh3s97w5qOLWmX2KN8GSZ3fSyhTA42oO-PgblKMHjn598z8EvG-PGL03FHnGs-WUMtkUAPdMtd2fc4WY_G6/s1600/bunnies,+strawberries,+and+rocks+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_R6gEGz7vmKsio9EpL1OL-h3VpS94cKJ1k4sESJ4DCx9e4zch00JE22wJPh3s97w5qOLWmX2KN8GSZ3fSyhTA42oO-PgblKMHjn598z8EvG-PGL03FHnGs-WUMtkUAPdMtd2fc4WY_G6/s320/bunnies,+strawberries,+and+rocks+019.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Strawberries</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEFHuk6AYyPcyh-Oe_eYaI0PAf7GzwxlDALsGu0gcBY3qkC3qyog5sIDtgktZYAv0ASX8NtoKvmc8VkGO5IRlsCpCdQ8X8jlSs5XCmq0Vy9kkNfvrsEIZmEIM3JuqxuH9MAzjz2A7ulfV/s1600/bunnies,+strawberries,+and+rocks+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEFHuk6AYyPcyh-Oe_eYaI0PAf7GzwxlDALsGu0gcBY3qkC3qyog5sIDtgktZYAv0ASX8NtoKvmc8VkGO5IRlsCpCdQ8X8jlSs5XCmq0Vy9kkNfvrsEIZmEIM3JuqxuH9MAzjz2A7ulfV/s320/bunnies,+strawberries,+and+rocks+030.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Children (some of them, anyway)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK77hpapDPIO649azvMQI8D4miigL7yhDXzw9V2rnUc4w_pVpAqbYA74XGouk1TKbHraNdzlObetTPb2R0Q9sm7ueZrcQhD1BCjZQa39j4BSTxwvNDC2jBGv3qI6-xQFO1B-iUrybGBmVx/s1600/bunnies,+strawberries,+and+rocks+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK77hpapDPIO649azvMQI8D4miigL7yhDXzw9V2rnUc4w_pVpAqbYA74XGouk1TKbHraNdzlObetTPb2R0Q9sm7ueZrcQhD1BCjZQa39j4BSTxwvNDC2jBGv3qI6-xQFO1B-iUrybGBmVx/s320/bunnies,+strawberries,+and+rocks+042.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rocks destined to become garden decoration.</div>Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-2574836001535979542010-04-28T17:11:00.004-04:002010-04-28T17:17:00.300-04:00Yarn Organization, Part TwoAfter what seems like an eon, I'm back with what I ended up doing with my yarn! There were a couple of different things that I wanted to accomplish. I wanted my yarn storage to look nice, and I wanted it to be easily accessible. In a house with four kids and two adults, both of those can be rather difficult feats...due to space constraints and the necessity to keep the yarn where little fingers are less likely to tangle it all up.<br />
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What I decided on was cleaning up a little bit around my computer desk in the basement, relocate the printer, and move my wine rack yarn storage to the top of an old cabinet. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhns_ieGWgx1BGmT5PxIaVaXcddFCwePY3HbMnE6edPvWRyrvfC1YhhefLg1HELYSECWpiFjoSD0_YkOjeg-f-sIONBmov-gs4F70dbHF8vHehMAmsf7CA0oGiisJnnK9GK4syvaDu6CLYb/s1600/yarn+org.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhns_ieGWgx1BGmT5PxIaVaXcddFCwePY3HbMnE6edPvWRyrvfC1YhhefLg1HELYSECWpiFjoSD0_YkOjeg-f-sIONBmov-gs4F70dbHF8vHehMAmsf7CA0oGiisJnnK9GK4syvaDu6CLYb/s320/yarn+org.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I decided to keep some of my favorite yarn in the shelves, and the rest went into convenient bins inside the cabinet. I put my knitting needle tips on top, along with my larger pattern books. To the left is a magazine holder with knitting magazines and books, and to the right is a holder with crochet magazines and pamphlets. I love having my pretty yarn on display, and I really enjoy having all of my patterns/references in one place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljGx312fKvZsmPh3eRQAd1FtcbIckyzyhqdRexat_pbGlWmTsGZGut5cnTUzRCtLr5YzHKQ53N9HK2j6_VJzpnBvuqyoCylA8kLZ1P_V6NPnRFpzbNNdQJfZ645CEFqCeqeBngsOGPBE7/s1600/yarn+org+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljGx312fKvZsmPh3eRQAd1FtcbIckyzyhqdRexat_pbGlWmTsGZGut5cnTUzRCtLr5YzHKQ53N9HK2j6_VJzpnBvuqyoCylA8kLZ1P_V6NPnRFpzbNNdQJfZ645CEFqCeqeBngsOGPBE7/s320/yarn+org+2.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The top shelf of my rack holds 100% cotton yarn, the middle holds wool blends on the left and cotton blends on the right, and the bottom has 100% animal fibers. In the lidded bin are the rest of my balls (!) of 100% cotton yarn, and it usually sits in the bottom of my little computer desk. Inside the cabinet (which once held an old TV) are two bins of wool yarn. Bright colors on the left, and neutrals on the right. If you look close, you can see an empty bin waiting for instructions, and another container full of wool yarn scraps that I haven't decided what to do with yet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been a little over a month since I started using this system, and I must say that it is working quite will for me. I have yet to pry my precious yarn out of sneaky little fingers, and it has been an absolute breeze to find patterns. I still need to find a way to be a little more disciplined about how many <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">WIPs</span> I've got! Any suggestions?</div>Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-10504600408428515572010-03-25T20:44:00.003-04:002010-03-25T20:52:54.083-04:00Yarn Organization, Part One<div><br /><br /><p>Sometimes one has to sit back, look around, and take stock of their resources. For some, this means checking on the veg in the root cellar and meat in the freezer…but for me it means wool, cotton, bamboo, and nylon fibers. Spun, plied (or not) and put up into hanks, skeins, or balls just waiting for me to transform them into something fun.<br /></p><p>I set about the task of inventorying my yarn for a few different reasons: </p><ul><li> My lack of organization was starting to take a definite toll in the number of projects I was successfully completing. </li><li> I decided that if I’m going to feel like creating is my profession, I’m going to have to treat my craft as a professional would. This means, if nothing else, I need an epicenter for inspiration and pattern writing.</li><li> I was starting to feel some major inadequacies about the size of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/TastyCrochet/stash">my stash</a>. </li><li> I love any excuse I can get to play with yarn, even if it’s just re-organizing.<br /><br />I started by getting as much of my yarn as I could locate and separating it into two groups. The wool and wool blends:<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452738082258742754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DCiLfmRNcb9YEoqtJSFyPdWS5Z0Zd_PV-FbAEMsAB-OCVuOcT7DAlrGDhhMvH6UOIbHtqR33LuZ598LNJYYxGw_1AVBSJ3kqF2kU_ZiV_CesUdlt4GCSybOj8Lq46P-T4Rop4Ii54WOR/s400/yarn,+wool+and+blends+001.jpg" /><br />And the cotton and cotton blends, as well as some misc others.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452738102812859186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDujHI6JB-IXvk5ES43h2EOYaqC89o6XHVmtzs3eL-3eYvklZyl4MNk4mdsSeC8Ad0xTAI-KnGXmLxyFexopGbwQbxVE92xQAgoBtfX_Kf_hZ0u-b7AHAeztSS7GKqsPBkvRJfpfX6dXlL/s400/yarn,+cotton+and+blends+001.jpg" /><br />Now, these two photos are the most accurate representation of my yarn stash that I could possibly give. I have indeed amassed more yarn since I took these photos, and I have since found some stray yarn in various nooks and crannies of my house. It was not a small feat to decide on a new home and organizational system for my beloved yarn. I wanted it to be in a convenient location, but out of the way. It had previously (when it was where it belonged) been stored in a wine rack dealio in the corner of the dining room. It actually looked quite lovely when I took the time to ensure that it was organized neatly within the little cubes.<br /></li><li>In my next post, I’ll post pictures of where I decided to store everything, and why. Everybody loves a cliffhanger, right?<br /><br /></li></ul><div></div></div>Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-6872321727468953092010-02-03T16:32:00.004-05:002010-02-03T16:40:32.659-05:00Wordless Wednesday - What We've Been Up To<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbya8v-DIaTPi1rRq-8b-MkpnFBb9dhghfldHNtkMRKon_-HMU49bMLsq7ukpc_aYkp9i-4HsmR8OcZWA-F8ge0Me2vLkLK7s9kQ9a9aK2legM7DwWe2UV55ABGPrRye_v5gGphox-d3No/s1600-h/Halloween+002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434135014199971762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbya8v-DIaTPi1rRq-8b-MkpnFBb9dhghfldHNtkMRKon_-HMU49bMLsq7ukpc_aYkp9i-4HsmR8OcZWA-F8ge0Me2vLkLK7s9kQ9a9aK2legM7DwWe2UV55ABGPrRye_v5gGphox-d3No/s400/Halloween+002.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtN7VQz9oczQz6za-kSwr7B7BaEKG6Amxc6qPOC6VezqjQpKjJHSINAy32fn8KxOezptRemQUwuu2A0jhyphenhyphenapiKbanVYQS9ASSuPnH3Lk5QcI1H3gp3ErBjlI4T8uL-gNDUxPjV129Hm0j4/s1600-h/Fudge+Tree+001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 364px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434135011353138050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtN7VQz9oczQz6za-kSwr7B7BaEKG6Amxc6qPOC6VezqjQpKjJHSINAy32fn8KxOezptRemQUwuu2A0jhyphenhyphenapiKbanVYQS9ASSuPnH3Lk5QcI1H3gp3ErBjlI4T8uL-gNDUxPjV129Hm0j4/s400/Fudge+Tree+001.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyHNUnwvM2fLM-lWzdBHqSku45Tb1rQeWxRG9HxugqFxJKnlJ4IFeGADGDyz3ESH9HWelOOG-qYfjYA3Z5x-UHVee5i9jDrmEtDTanCJmahcnAECNfwX_FxXKuaHcIJuvm2Gpi0xuDFLE/s1600-h/Benny's+Vest+Action.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 289px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434135001587936626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyHNUnwvM2fLM-lWzdBHqSku45Tb1rQeWxRG9HxugqFxJKnlJ4IFeGADGDyz3ESH9HWelOOG-qYfjYA3Z5x-UHVee5i9jDrmEtDTanCJmahcnAECNfwX_FxXKuaHcIJuvm2Gpi0xuDFLE/s400/Benny's+Vest+Action.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLLyXtwcb-k0HHnwOCmmpyADah723HfbSWpkC6r5AXJcXByBHZ-9PS3-UItgMrzFs8Eon6xqR3gnJg_7kHDeb2-cfQGwaJadgPHYO4tGbz4kzWwuZlc4OE5xdNzboKk8LpGqWFQkG0XuQ/s1600-h/New+design+and+kids+018.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434134172298406338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLLyXtwcb-k0HHnwOCmmpyADah723HfbSWpkC6r5AXJcXByBHZ-9PS3-UItgMrzFs8Eon6xqR3gnJg_7kHDeb2-cfQGwaJadgPHYO4tGbz4kzWwuZlc4OE5xdNzboKk8LpGqWFQkG0XuQ/s400/New+design+and+kids+018.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Wu-f3lOj_YuAq3-gPe_3JV4TQq1dfyamKVIIHWmPWb51FmaTGobWPUjrqK4EQc2XWUTf0OEPloQduhbf1kmUw-XtBSIntsIDZj2FOWvO8EkaP8PeRlXjn4bycAs5z_JqVj-1JM6-X1xO/s1600-h/LYDmodel.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 302px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434134166178580306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Wu-f3lOj_YuAq3-gPe_3JV4TQq1dfyamKVIIHWmPWb51FmaTGobWPUjrqK4EQc2XWUTf0OEPloQduhbf1kmUw-XtBSIntsIDZj2FOWvO8EkaP8PeRlXjn4bycAs5z_JqVj-1JM6-X1xO/s400/LYDmodel.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij97_kGn6zv_KeaLKpTwcXU2s54y3e1m2byhaRsUGEDRLkgGHtAC7LN6PPKDEcoiIpa69THq-0LWsbI5xmgWZ0eUMYRuZhbZi5yetW2PLnsTPECKi_wwSSyKShECcvxgQMH7AjXpAyT4Cl/s1600-h/L's+Design2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 335px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434134158944397138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij97_kGn6zv_KeaLKpTwcXU2s54y3e1m2byhaRsUGEDRLkgGHtAC7LN6PPKDEcoiIpa69THq-0LWsbI5xmgWZ0eUMYRuZhbZi5yetW2PLnsTPECKi_wwSSyKShECcvxgQMH7AjXpAyT4Cl/s400/L's+Design2.jpg" /></a> OK, not totally wordless. This drawing is by my six year old (the one modeling the tunic vest). She was intrigued by the design process and wanted to make something of her own!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5Ldvceta2TFewue8j3OgmEpI4anv3xKhQPuEoBxtECOPrL_vlZ0dtUe9zFeWC_3QsseVEW0SOgzDcben4rfJKGH4ggiGvyMSwy2rdACFWQsm0_j8DtgZsvTtz4QZmu7GmVJ8qtN7BRQK/s1600-h/Cocobay+and+scarf+017.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434134153855235826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5Ldvceta2TFewue8j3OgmEpI4anv3xKhQPuEoBxtECOPrL_vlZ0dtUe9zFeWC_3QsseVEW0SOgzDcben4rfJKGH4ggiGvyMSwy2rdACFWQsm0_j8DtgZsvTtz4QZmu7GmVJ8qtN7BRQK/s400/Cocobay+and+scarf+017.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-16452679370141665652009-09-09T14:11:00.004-04:002009-09-09T14:22:31.253-04:00Wordless Wednesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCC7yThMIRLcreWb7aUwBnUAvMEaVHBfDq6Ss1ckdajN6h2ZG9L9AHs8807QVMCmW-oEODna9mXeMGGFiLScYoiWnj5uNNe3FhJqwSsYb_G2cdx6mO8Hwp-g1drvFFeVSPhPoCTBtfAywK/s1600-h/Pear.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 398px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379534231115413314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCC7yThMIRLcreWb7aUwBnUAvMEaVHBfDq6Ss1ckdajN6h2ZG9L9AHs8807QVMCmW-oEODna9mXeMGGFiLScYoiWnj5uNNe3FhJqwSsYb_G2cdx6mO8Hwp-g1drvFFeVSPhPoCTBtfAywK/s400/Pear.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmnJsubvU8vv_QpqSkRYapE9THG4Q9qJJXseDsye4Usppxh0mK-OR7LlvXAao7tnh8amFPnmuNGfPXlTeHs15WWSCcd3bzkx5WmzDCfVoqTA-fDeUCDxEobxy_FHKBTe2BBhbatlRJTRK/s1600-h/Pear+Butter+11+Pears.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379534220734639186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmnJsubvU8vv_QpqSkRYapE9THG4Q9qJJXseDsye4Usppxh0mK-OR7LlvXAao7tnh8amFPnmuNGfPXlTeHs15WWSCcd3bzkx5WmzDCfVoqTA-fDeUCDxEobxy_FHKBTe2BBhbatlRJTRK/s400/Pear+Butter+11+Pears.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GKxTiEH_h4X6_m1EfolcjcZs2YiSgFpUD6DiM6b2YTk3yWFMCQh9boq5T72pZip4WH3E18xFXr7ANOB7YV10wAJj-xyd3ONBzaehICw-nSmA3qrHC26A9S1EZp0J-_Gogh1F_G-PSkhs/s1600-h/Pear+Butter+Food+Mill.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 276px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379534212520808082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GKxTiEH_h4X6_m1EfolcjcZs2YiSgFpUD6DiM6b2YTk3yWFMCQh9boq5T72pZip4WH3E18xFXr7ANOB7YV10wAJj-xyd3ONBzaehICw-nSmA3qrHC26A9S1EZp0J-_Gogh1F_G-PSkhs/s400/Pear+Butter+Food+Mill.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOINccHk1KUho5imDJs1cbk433Gd5MuMIybQYqUtqYaCMxijOcHIrMYop3SJw0-yQMFG7teGwpPLr38Te7ryCWrsAvtsfgXwdf9xN_RmUBT1dbAZ2VxfzkHzYH-h1OwtTdPd4DRgQCl10Y/s1600-h/Pear+Butter+023.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379533484372332818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOINccHk1KUho5imDJs1cbk433Gd5MuMIybQYqUtqYaCMxijOcHIrMYop3SJw0-yQMFG7teGwpPLr38Te7ryCWrsAvtsfgXwdf9xN_RmUBT1dbAZ2VxfzkHzYH-h1OwtTdPd4DRgQCl10Y/s400/Pear+Butter+023.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUC9SswulrKVa2jp7guzL19kLCuTsTFmy5NpsMCdvFhdxddR6aQcqSjtAHDQ8dNJE0IQ_u9rmNM7hbIo1Dixf1OPrprNH5cCPSZQnsxpfu0eww45HeUqcKa9frmm-fJxB7AI5TJqpgT-L/s1600-h/Pear+Butter+041.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379533475163212162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUC9SswulrKVa2jp7guzL19kLCuTsTFmy5NpsMCdvFhdxddR6aQcqSjtAHDQ8dNJE0IQ_u9rmNM7hbIo1Dixf1OPrprNH5cCPSZQnsxpfu0eww45HeUqcKa9frmm-fJxB7AI5TJqpgT-L/s400/Pear+Butter+041.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsERtLoSOcO5As9a_K2R0t1rkdbvu8J9O5eXXq9P5ToFJrZ0vXqTpBAJxi9OIfM7WZjNHJGnRquMoUk70hu5aLVgS-05SwjNRTltutIP73Jblh40npAoaRWCak2VIFaqHeSKsgPCsylAb/s1600-h/Pear+Butter+042.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 295px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379533463460443442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsERtLoSOcO5As9a_K2R0t1rkdbvu8J9O5eXXq9P5ToFJrZ0vXqTpBAJxi9OIfM7WZjNHJGnRquMoUk70hu5aLVgS-05SwjNRTltutIP73Jblh40npAoaRWCak2VIFaqHeSKsgPCsylAb/s400/Pear+Butter+042.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpsHKrGXNwAkdVLVxmbmKE-cnNb4WDYxbxYtIG7Z1WaDXXs2uh08zwIC-14RMiLtuFIeLfHRvlykMS1qcpKjpIhF5aupcdM6Wm9kaP937Pn_Yr12iEm4exMnA0QMYAqUqvtK5UhVNACK4/s1600-h/Pear+Butter+054.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379533455203621442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpsHKrGXNwAkdVLVxmbmKE-cnNb4WDYxbxYtIG7Z1WaDXXs2uh08zwIC-14RMiLtuFIeLfHRvlykMS1qcpKjpIhF5aupcdM6Wm9kaP937Pn_Yr12iEm4exMnA0QMYAqUqvtK5UhVNACK4/s400/Pear+Butter+054.jpg" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-52972793138484041632009-08-24T09:34:00.008-04:002009-08-24T09:52:06.831-04:00Meow!The <a href="http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~mite/diagram/crochetedCat.html">Amineko Crocheted Cat </a>was in my Ravelry queue for a long time before I finally decided to make it. What spurred me to finally get around to it was the decision in our family to go ahead and (finally!) look for a kitty cat to adopt and make a part of our family. So, in between bouts of searching Petfinder I worked on Sleepy Neko for my youngest child, B.<br />I used some minimally processed Jacob wool for the main part of the kitty. And when I say minimally processed, I mean minimally processed! I was pulling bits of vegetation and<br />what I am assuming were lanolin chunks from the yarn the whole time I was working with it. If the mystery white globs weren't lanolin, then maybe the poor sheep had a monstrous case of dandruff. Needless to say, Sleepy Neko had a really thorough washing before he was stuffed and assembled. B took an instant liking to his new kitty, thank goodness! I was worried that he would do what he does with every other toy I give him - take a look and toss it over his shoulder on his way to bigger and better things.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXra5MHA7CSAmurQq-A0O9aGuFwiEd6GBAHaA9TC6M6E0PT9Kp_1oEibPHdr5YWlLdJgi4iYNoBG7go7z9gW6ICwf5tTQslmlv5jSQNvWnvf3OV7oB45PBCxDaZex4CAvxHsaarvr1kjQ/s1600-h/Amineko+and+house+031.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 236px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373524308327500210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXra5MHA7CSAmurQq-A0O9aGuFwiEd6GBAHaA9TC6M6E0PT9Kp_1oEibPHdr5YWlLdJgi4iYNoBG7go7z9gW6ICwf5tTQslmlv5jSQNvWnvf3OV7oB45PBCxDaZex4CAvxHsaarvr1kjQ/s400/Amineko+and+house+031.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We did find the perfect cats to join our household. Yes, I did say cats! We ended up with a gorgeous mama and baby pair.<br />The plan was originally to only adopt one cat, and we were looking specifically for a Russian Blue, since they shed less and<br />seem to be more allergy friendly. We found Georgia through <a href="http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/OH383.html">Three Sisters Pet Rescue</a>, and found out that she had her<br />last kitten, Dakota (Kode for short), with her still. Tim and I couldn't bear the thought of separating them, so we brought<br />both of them home with us. They are definitely a well bonded pair!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_aDdi4fOwIwgbDweonywVXQhwR1qUIFiTRrkd2hWXGZ_foV8quaHRXwENf69NAKbkiNd8APUQzST529xPJ2Vsqjm2uQpX1nYcSJlvcRMMLLgzlzsfE49AxCS1I51r7IpTcxFfToOn6q_/s1600-h/Georgia+Cody+024.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 379px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373524300891263186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_aDdi4fOwIwgbDweonywVXQhwR1qUIFiTRrkd2hWXGZ_foV8quaHRXwENf69NAKbkiNd8APUQzST529xPJ2Vsqjm2uQpX1nYcSJlvcRMMLLgzlzsfE49AxCS1I51r7IpTcxFfToOn6q_/s400/Georgia+Cody+024.jpg" /></a><br />Kode, the kitten, is just a bundle of energy...he's right in the mix with my four kids having a blast! He's claimed me as<br />his official snuggler, and likes to climb right up on my chest and curl around for a good ear scratch and pampering session.<br />Georgia, the mama, is more reserved and wary. She's coming out around the kids more, but she spends most of her time out of<br />reach around them. Except when they're sleeping, that is!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSydQw7om0S9fmcUKqzx0XPMhxiwiHNUz7s1bn0zhaVo_IekiKJ5_TwnxBZCRZS8iXHcSm_Rnm9nbMR79en3UauCkRpWH4e2rEF9Lm73vCveY2SY7g06UBdq9NWTIE0rInmAOm2b4i4QwV/s1600-h/Benny+and+Kitties+003.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 314px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373524288016430498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSydQw7om0S9fmcUKqzx0XPMhxiwiHNUz7s1bn0zhaVo_IekiKJ5_TwnxBZCRZS8iXHcSm_Rnm9nbMR79en3UauCkRpWH4e2rEF9Lm73vCveY2SY7g06UBdq9NWTIE0rInmAOm2b4i4QwV/s400/Benny+and+Kitties+003.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-37891158950567540922009-08-17T09:15:00.009-04:002009-08-17T09:32:26.964-04:00Massacre<span style="font-size:78%;">*Names have been changed to protect the identities of the victims.</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><br />It was a grisly scene when I went to visit my dear old friends, the P family*. I knew something was wrong the moment I got there and the door was slightly ajar. I slowly pushed it open, calling their names.<br /><br />"Mr. P? Mrs. P? Kids? Are you there?" No answer. I was worried.<br /><br />I walked down the front hall and rounded the corner into the living room. It took me a moment to comprehend what I was seeing. It was awful, like something out of a mob hit. An arm here, a nose there. An ear lying on the ground next to Mrs. P's best hat.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOZZ6xSVP-507c4yWR-hGjAfCASmxFhVtpe8u3wmGzxAQBmCuQjy7pQOxKZUmii6GiKN7hHsqmE8e1GIPGuYu6MRcEZ9bge60DwPayib5ObqDcnr2Pku5Tq7lub1iChA9YpMy1PHurW5N/s1600-h/Potato+Massacre+009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370922464054483858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOZZ6xSVP-507c4yWR-hGjAfCASmxFhVtpe8u3wmGzxAQBmCuQjy7pQOxKZUmii6GiKN7hHsqmE8e1GIPGuYu6MRcEZ9bge60DwPayib5ObqDcnr2Pku5Tq7lub1iChA9YpMy1PHurW5N/s400/Potato+Massacre+009.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I ran into the next room, desperate to find some sign of life in this massacre. I stopped short, too shocked to take another step. I had found Mr. and Mrs. P lying on the floor, like discarded toys. But what had been done to them was the worst part.<br /><br />"What kind of sick person has been at work here?" I heard myself say out loud.<br /><br />Mrs. P's wide, staring eyes had been relocated...to the top of her head. Oh, and the atrocity committed against Mr. P! His ears and eyes were gone, and his remaining arm had been crudely shoved into the spot where his eyes once were.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2mPl073tTmhFId8RixEjY-e7718YFsrX2UUfoGR0Q8FaouZEpFSvFNauNBIJW9wgTuYsVT93vXSk7IIkag36z8u47V8zCgERS0B3JG_P1A3KoNPkPp9myotqB2gKeXhSlLQmKgWTj3Et/s1600-h/Potato+Massacre+021.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370922456800104882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2mPl073tTmhFId8RixEjY-e7718YFsrX2UUfoGR0Q8FaouZEpFSvFNauNBIJW9wgTuYsVT93vXSk7IIkag36z8u47V8zCgERS0B3JG_P1A3KoNPkPp9myotqB2gKeXhSlLQmKgWTj3Et/s400/Potato+Massacre+021.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div>I went off in search of the kids, praying that they weren't home...or if they had been there while their parents were tortured, were hiding under the bed or in a closet, unfound by the vicious beasts who committed this terrible crime.<br />My hopes were dashed when I entered the dining room. I found the kids...and the culprits, the perpetrators of evil and mayhem, still up to their dastardly deeds. They were so consumed by their violence that they didn't even notice me at first.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhseav0Cm5VQZCkPDj15eMPNzUJrxAHGZ0iJKl45ZujJrHixP9jcPj9vAKpKUr683rS68x9erdcMqRAIHQ45_laW3oiq1zjRj_Y9PuTc4TXvXZ3up7HI-IRR91kKdfg7U0A3quQOBEY1W1W/s1600-h/Potato+Massacre+032.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370922446528841666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhseav0Cm5VQZCkPDj15eMPNzUJrxAHGZ0iJKl45ZujJrHixP9jcPj9vAKpKUr683rS68x9erdcMqRAIHQ45_laW3oiq1zjRj_Y9PuTc4TXvXZ3up7HI-IRR91kKdfg7U0A3quQOBEY1W1W/s400/Potato+Massacre+032.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6s3UskGIleG9vgqjDrFRSvu1J479JPRahQ3fRBAsdapJXcgF03Y9ldHy1CksV99QJ56zLWYWehpMuIiSUaH-atao8l8ekZjcgHfqsmxcVHH6jE2PMerp27F7L9co-MEuvcRbD0LzIX6g/s1600-h/Potato+Massacre+034.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370922445365229954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6s3UskGIleG9vgqjDrFRSvu1J479JPRahQ3fRBAsdapJXcgF03Y9ldHy1CksV99QJ56zLWYWehpMuIiSUaH-atao8l8ekZjcgHfqsmxcVHH6jE2PMerp27F7L9co-MEuvcRbD0LzIX6g/s400/Potato+Massacre+034.jpg" /></a><br /><br />"Hey!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. They looked up at me, shocked that they had been caught red handed.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSac_UdRV0esJCU0OI1PM6dEEuoe3sSjlIO5Qy_WKu5SyUpFyXooRsjGydVpnBSBNaHFPv0ORMYtmaGEyxiSAR4PbSHa5N6xHiRH7Fm6MAMqTeHF8RkHhfHhdYZIABzolUi68Bhyphenhyphenng3l0/s1600-h/Potato+Massacre+035.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 303px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370922433722543506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSac_UdRV0esJCU0OI1PM6dEEuoe3sSjlIO5Qy_WKu5SyUpFyXooRsjGydVpnBSBNaHFPv0ORMYtmaGEyxiSAR4PbSHa5N6xHiRH7Fm6MAMqTeHF8RkHhfHhdYZIABzolUi68Bhyphenhyphenng3l0/s400/Potato+Massacre+035.jpg" /></a><br /><br />"What are you doing? Don't you know it's snack time?" <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJF_0XCqlp0Zp45EHZYhAId0t2SVeTntAiNvH4L8hBh3KfFmu6xyKC89EQ0xkpiDkZ4hPy-A7WRv_rUk2bs01QAQDw6cGO4l2cTo5xgNIb2j6_UnNkgaScgjLayCv6VytwCEphIpvp_BDt/s1600-h/Potato+Massacre+009.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div>Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-63732714029169034302009-08-04T09:28:00.002-04:002009-08-04T09:31:05.543-04:00Do the CanCan!<p>I have to admit, I haven't been playing with nearly as much yarn as I usually do. In the past month, or maybe month and a half, I've only made one scarf and one shawl. I keep <i>meaning</i> to start more projects, but we've been rather busy lately. We took an amazing 19 day vacation to explore various parts of New England (New Hampshire is my favorite, hands down!) then swung down to DC to check out the Smithsonian. Since we got back, we've been de-cluttering our house in preparation for a yard sale.<br /></p><br><p>And, in my spare time I've adopted a new hobby: Canning.</p><br><p><br />It all started with some dilly beans that I had at my friend Rachel's house while on vacation. I came home and decided that I had to make some of my own. I did, which led to canning salsa, which led to coleslaw, which led to pickled turnips, which led to blueberry jam (you can't beat 88 cents a pint for blueberries), which led to more salsa. Which I think will lead to me scouring the internet for a great deal on a pressure canner so that I can can (haha, cancan) even more food.<br /> </p><br><p>There is something so supremely satisfying about standing at the counter in the kitchen peeling turnips, or trimming green beans, or chopping tomatoes - all on a massive scale. There might be a little music in the background. Maybe a bit of conversation with my husband. But mostly it involves simply living in the rhythm of preparing food to put by, something that women of every generation for hundreds of years have done. Sure, canning has only been something used in more recent history, and I am definitely not expending even a scintilla of the energy my foremothers did in their efforts to ensure nutrition for their families over the winter months when the land is dormant - but I feel a connection with them nonetheless.<br /></p><br><p>I'm still petting my yarn on occasion, and dreaming of new projects. For the most part, though, I'm spending my time in the kitchen for now. </p>Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-53366724745162625892009-06-15T09:38:00.002-04:002009-06-15T10:01:04.085-04:00Confucius Say: Crochet!My favorite place to go for coffee is a local place called <a href="http://perkonthepike.com/">Perk on the Pike</a>, named so because it is on Delhi Pike, the busiest street in Delhi (pronounced del-high) on the west side of Cincinnati. It has wonderful coffee and excellent food, but the best part about it is the friendliness of the owners and staff. Even my 17-month old son know that when we go to the Perk he's going to not only get a sugar cookie, but a little bit of love from whoever is behind the counter when we get there.<br /><br />The Perk features art for sale from local artists, does art shows for local schools, and displays handmade goods for sale made by local artisans. So I naturally asked if I could display my book for sale, and they said to bring up some copies with a sign.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTEF41rPRfsJATQpFpmoTkNq8i06oGUg6sHCJNHZSInDq30bG8EkdR6mNtjhGWVRPq8aEmCHPol4629W9Oa6u26NujAlIvt4m3dTfARvffL9zGxEgcqn4PkZqdoDcG5QB96Tr9KJFI2U9/s1600-h/Confucius+008.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347550166026023634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTEF41rPRfsJATQpFpmoTkNq8i06oGUg6sHCJNHZSInDq30bG8EkdR6mNtjhGWVRPq8aEmCHPol4629W9Oa6u26NujAlIvt4m3dTfARvffL9zGxEgcqn4PkZqdoDcG5QB96Tr9KJFI2U9/s400/Confucius+008.jpg" /></a> I obviously couldn't pass up an opportunity to crochet something cute, and I thought Confucius might have a wise saying for me. I loved making his bushy eyebrows, moustach, and goattee! I used some undeyed BlackBerry Ridge sportweight yarn and seperated they ply to make slightly twisty very organic looking facial hair.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ude6jn2u3t5XVqjTxKsppQM57Sfqcrw67iEIfgo5-1uikgtpZ__Cpj9YuhJceGzoRUQz_lk23qUN2p4PHZWHz2ypd84X4BTCtV3MtdilZExOufNxrplMI671tBxRPmwqfgtLfrbt0uIW/s1600-h/Confucius+003.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 334px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347550164025274978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ude6jn2u3t5XVqjTxKsppQM57Sfqcrw67iEIfgo5-1uikgtpZ__Cpj9YuhJceGzoRUQz_lk23qUN2p4PHZWHz2ypd84X4BTCtV3MtdilZExOufNxrplMI671tBxRPmwqfgtLfrbt0uIW/s400/Confucius+003.jpg" /></a> In case you can't quite make out what Confucius's message is, it says: Confucius Say: A diet with too little fiber is like the Pike with no Perk to help move it along.</div><div> </div><div> </div>Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272430868178651302.post-82898683122144893992009-05-28T14:18:00.004-04:002009-05-28T14:25:07.997-04:00Table for TwoWe have a lot of things in our house that came from my husband's parents. For example, our kitchen table. When Tim was a kid, his Mom would sit him on the corner of it and cut his hair, literally with a bowl on his head. We also have a child size chair and table set that was around when Tim was a kid. The chairs had been recovered several times, the latest with leftover wallpaper from their kitchen. My kids must have something against wallpaper, because shortly after we moved in they started peeling the wallpaper in the downstairs bathroom, hallway, and then the chairs. We had the walls repainted last summer, and I finally got around to taking care of the chairs.<br />I unscrewed the seat bases, took off the old coverings and padding and used some cotton batt that I just happened to have as well as some fabric that I've had for probably six years. I used our staple gun to secure it to the bottom of the seat bases, cut off the extra, and screwed the seats back onto the frames. It took me less than an hour total and made such a difference.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTTr5HGKRpzSldAsS5JnFnBY0hacbyl2TMD0qNtBcB4uIBhrWs5A62IEniSOtDJJjyqhPHcKq0vtZDG93dMG8DQA2motsd5pqmglVRvKpcu-duQ7Kb8Hbg7-8kd_UH-kNlnYPCbqA3eFC/s1600-h/chairs1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 276px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340941892742431298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTTr5HGKRpzSldAsS5JnFnBY0hacbyl2TMD0qNtBcB4uIBhrWs5A62IEniSOtDJJjyqhPHcKq0vtZDG93dMG8DQA2motsd5pqmglVRvKpcu-duQ7Kb8Hbg7-8kd_UH-kNlnYPCbqA3eFC/s400/chairs1.jpg" /></a><br /><div> Since there are two chairs, I took pictures of what one finished looks like next to the one I hadn't done yet. My daughters wanted to sit in the chairs for the pictures, but neither wanted to sit in the unfinished chair, as you can see below. They're both happy now that they each have a nicely re-upholstered chair to sit in. </div><div><br /> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 272px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340941883974393618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBD57JMDx_1GQBlsrYgoDnwB3yCSTk89mgTQVCM_3ja7JQ6QKY9_ep2BInjOR9Zgb0ixLiPe8mE5Zi-nCUCh7J6iG_hIcYlfE5ixFbjIItn39D0fmtPr2MX4dpaMt3XxW4Ixngcs96iEK_/s400/chair3.jpg" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuO3dKo7dK8PeLpD2LFj1cYZt7NN1H3FdQ_05z3EC9WPm2XSg8WwHIBmwqX995WgFp93z_j9PMqwwHQJcrkNS4EhU9NLr9_Rd_nwa52PK7MT5DKCuHXp6U1DhNiKuLF9b7qxL320QVJB_/s1600-h/Chair2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340941879814203906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuO3dKo7dK8PeLpD2LFj1cYZt7NN1H3FdQ_05z3EC9WPm2XSg8WwHIBmwqX995WgFp93z_j9PMqwwHQJcrkNS4EhU9NLr9_Rd_nwa52PK7MT5DKCuHXp6U1DhNiKuLF9b7qxL320QVJB_/s400/Chair2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541034412294034309noreply@blogger.com1