CrochetSal's

Congratulations!

2011-12-09T05:38:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, I became an aunt again...twice. Twin girls to my brother and sister in law, congratulations! Everyone is doing fine, and they're hoping to come home today.I decided to have some fun on Etsy and put together a treasury of 'pairs'. The items should be clickable, if you would like to see the listing page of something.

Window Shopping!

2011-12-08T05:39:00.001-08:00

I do sell on Etsy, both patterns and finished items, and certainly do shop there too! Sometimes, I kill some time hanging out in the team forums there and checking out other members' goods.
And sometimes, it's fun to put together a collection (treasury, on Etsy) of themed items that catch my eye.
My latest one is from members of the Etsy Threadkillers Team, a fun group of people with a variety of crafts, supplies and vintage items to offer. The pictures in this treasury should take you to the item's listing, clicking on the seller's name will take you to their shop. If you click on the treasury name, that leads to the treasury on Etsy, and the curator's name (in this case, me) leads, where else, to my Etsy page.

'December is...snow and ice' by Smudgekitty

Okay, so it's not exactly snow and ice here yet. More like mud and water...but it should be snow and ice. Icy blues and snowy whites from ETK team.

Hand Rolled Paper Beads... lbforgues $5.00	Hearts of Joy and Lov -... AngeeArt $13.50	Christmas Bright Electr... ebbead $3.00	Snow Bird Sings The Son... sintwister $24.00
Sterling silver earring... bijouxbead $90.00	Holiday Blue and Gold H... PearlesPaintin... $65.00	Crystal Gilded Covered ... NannysRose $18.00	Artist Miniature Bear, ... bassombear $39.00
Floral Arrangement Blue... PaperSquare $28.00	Blue Abstract Art - Win... SoundsLikeRain $30.00	Compote Vintage Hand Bl... TheUglyBarnFar... $22.00	Glittery Round Snowflak... TheButtonLab $4.00
Blueberries and Cream W... FairyBubbles $4.75	Vintage Silver Glass Gr... christmasangel $10.00	Crystal Puffy Heart Nec... crystaltwister $35.00	Blue Bell wedding cake ... BlueKittyMinia... $22.50

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Free Patterns, Stocking Stuffers

2011-11-08T17:20:00.000-08:00

Until I figure out how on earth I can edit my web page more easily, I'll add a few free patterns here.
Just in time for Christmas, for that naughty someone on your list...

Lump of Coal

App. size: 5.75cm in diameter
Materials:
worsted weight acrylic yarn
eyelash or fake fur yarn
12mm-15mm safety eyes
polyester stuffing
crochet hook size H (5mm)
Lump is worked by holding acrylic and eyelash yarn together as one.
Rounds are not joined, place marker in first stitch of each round to keep track.
To sc 3 sts tog: draw up loop in each of next 3 sts. YO, draw through all 4 loops.
To dec: draw up loop in each of next 2 sts, YO, draw through all 3 loops.

Rnd 1: Ch2. 8sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Rnd 2: (3sc in 1 st, sc in next) around. (16)
Rnd 3: Sc in 1 st. (3sc in one, sc in 3) three times. 3sc in next st, sc in last 2. (24)
Rnd 4-6: Sc around.
Place safety eyes on one side between rnds 4&5.
Rnd 7: (Sc in 1 st. Sc 3 sts together.) around. (16)
Stuff.
Rnd 8: Dec around. (8) FO, leaving long end for weaving. Finish stuffing tightly.
With long end, weave in and out of stitches of last round, pull tightly to close and weave in securely.

And for those that weren't quite so naughty:

Everlasting Snowballs

Materials:
worsted weight acrylic yarn
eyelash or fake fur yarn
12mm-15mm safety eyes
polyester stuffing
crochet hook size H (5mm)
Snowball is worked by holding acrylic and eyelash yarn together as one.
Rounds are not joined, place marker in first stitch of each round to keep track.
To dec: draw up loop in each of next 2 sts, YO, draw through all 3 loops.

Round 1: Ch2. 6sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Rnd 2: 2sc in each stitch. (12)
Rnd 3: (2sc in 1 st, sc in next) around. (18)
Rnd 4-6: Sc around
Rnd 7: (Dec, sc in next st) around. (12)
Place safety eyes between rounds 4&5. Stuff piece firmly.
Rnd 8: Dec around. (6) Join, FO, leaving long tail for weaving.
Stuff more firmly. With long tail, weave in and out of stitches of rnd 8, pull tightly to close and fasten in end securely.

*I've also made these snowballs with a Christmas eyelash yarn in white with red and green flecks along with white acrylic yarn for a 'peppermint' ball. They make great Christmas ornaments, just thread some ribbon or invisible nylon line through the top and make a hanging loop.

**These patterns have been tested by myself. If you do find an error, please feel free to contact me at crochetsal (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Window Shopping

2011-08-11T16:12:00.000-07:00

Window shopping for now! But, I do have a brother whose wife is expecting twins later this year. : )
I think I spotted this seller in the forums on Etsy: her avatar was enticing enough to make me click, and I am so glad I did!

DiaperCakeBaby not only sells completed diaper cakes, but offers instructional videos for creating adorable accents out of washcloths! They would look awesome on a diaper cake, but I am also thinking some would make great shower favours, like these lollipops (click on images to see the listing):

Some would be great in a bouquet centrepiece for the mom-to-be, like these tulips

The seller has other wonderful instructional videos for carrots, peas in a pod, cars...and does sell a licence agreement in order to sell items made from her designs. So, whether you want to have some fun creating something special for the mom-to-be and the new baby (or babies, as in my sister in law's case!), or would like to create diaper cakes adorned with these wonderful pieces to sell, DiaperCakeBaby's shop is a must-see!

***Images used with permission from DiaperCakeBaby.

Fall is Coming!

2011-08-08T05:46:00.000-07:00

It has to be coming! Our Sears Fall & Winter catalogue arrived a month or so ago, so autumn can't be too far away. Since the catalogue arrived before we'd had any real summer weather, I put off opening it, wanting to enjoy summer for a while before thinking about fall! It is waiting patiently in its plastic wrapper to be opened when the time is right.

I've started designing a few Hallowe'en items, along a goblin line. I had such fun with the bulging eyes and protruding nose on my Snot-Nosed Goblin Hat

that I wanted to try something similar in other projects. I was describing to my neighbour about the water bottle cover I was working on, how I hated setting it aside just when I got 'into' it to get dressed and trot off to work, when she mentioned 'wine bottle'. So, there's another project or two. :)
Now, if only I can stay off the computer long enough on my day off to 'get into' my water bottle cozy, I may just finish it today.

Welcome to August!

2011-08-01T07:59:00.000-07:00

This side of July, Christmas seems like it's just around the corner. Maybe due to all the special days and activity between August and December. I mean, back to school, Hallowe'en, Thanksgiving (my birthday!).
We took a bit of a vacation this year, and tried something new: we decided to rent a cottage. After much looking on the net (MUCH, with no help at first) I narrowed choices down to about 6, then BEGGED the family to check them out. I will say, this one was in the lead...until I found out there were leeches in the water. To me, no big deal, we could still canoe or use the rowboat, just no swimming. But to a 16 year old girl, NO WAY was she going anywhere near water with leeches. (That she knows about!)
So, she chose one in Owen Sound that was listed on RentCottage. The house looked nice, a little private, but not overly so. Four bedrooms, bath, laundry, nice wrap around porch, sounded great...and we got a 'last minute' savings and wound up paying $1,200 and change for the week.

This was the south side of the house, the porch where I had my morning coffee almost every morning and watched the ducks, geese, kingfishers and cormorants. Not to mention the little chipmunk and vole that I spotted on a couple of occasions. There is a private marina for members only, behind me as I took this picture.

A view of the sunset over the bay, and below, a shot of the moon over the marina. If I'd had a tripod with me, the picture might have turned out a little better, the moon didn't just shine on the water, it glowed.

While there, we did go out and about just a bit. The owner of the house had told us about a market every Tuesday in Keady, so on Tuesday, we headed out. No pics, sadly. The market was huge! Others may be used to that, but I'm used to markets on a much smaller scale at festivals and the like. The parking took over a large field, and there was row after row after row of vendors. There were the resellers that you normally see, and many handmade, antique/vintage booths, and food!
Afterward, we stopped at a quaint little diner in Kilsyth where the owner was very friendly and chatty.

After finding out where we'd been, he commented that some of the produce sellers DID grow their own, but some bought in Toronto, then hauled it there and claimed they grew it. Ya gotta love honesty in a seller.

We also took a very short trip up the road to Indian Falls Conservation Area. Indian Falls is a 'tad' smaller than its cousin farther south on the Niagara Escarpment, but beautiful nonetheless, and made for a nice hike.

Add caption

^^ The falls from the trail along the escarpment .
And from the top of the falls--->>

Across the bay from us and a little north was Hibou Conservation Area, the brochure at the cottage boasted a swimming beach, so off we went. The beach was large, more so because there were only 2 other families there. Once we got in the water, that made about 5 people swimming. The bottom alternated between smooth rocks and sand, and was very clear, not at all like Lake Erie where you're afraid to put a toe in the water and health warnings on beaches abound.

In town, we checked out a few shops. Sadly, no one would let me go in the yarn shop. Our youngest daughter and I did visit a secondhand book shop. I don't think our town library has that many books! Paperbacks on wire racks along both walls, on racks in the centre, all stacked 4-5 deep, piled on tables, under shelves, towering stacks along the counter, I swear it would have taken weeks to go through them all. And the owner was great, chatted with us a bit, a total contrast to the guy in the first bookstore we stopped in who barely spared us a glance or even a word when we finally went up to pay.

To go back to the cottage...actually, I really would like to go back! The house was finished in 1919 by the grandfather of the two men who currently own it. Bill and Bob were awesome 'hosts'. They did respect our privacy, but as owners, suggested places in the area to visit, and Bob even treated us to a boat ride toward the end of the week.
The house is for sale. Once we got home, my curiosity took over and I looked it up on the realtor's site. Asking price: $995,000. I tried digging through my couch and loveseat, checked the washing machine and even the car and still come up short.

Some people just don't get it!

2011-06-13T10:36:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back, I noticed a seller on an online selling venue selling PDFs of patterns that looked REALLY familiar. Since they had requested to join a team I manage, I thought I would be nice and caution her against this. Lawyers are hungry people (apparently Disney's lawyers have a particularly voracious appetite for copyright and trademark infringers! but I digress) and who wants an official letter telling them in legalese that what they're doing is stealing?
After a week or so, the patterns were still up. So...YES, I DID contact the magazine that published them. I had a brief reply thanking me and mentioning this had been passed on to their lawyers. The patterns were removed, so I assumed the magazine or its lawyers contacted the seller.
BUT, a few weeks later, BAM! The patterns were put right back up in the seller's shop.
I contacted the magazine again, via the person who replied to my first message, and got an answer today...this has been passed on (again) to their lawyers, AND the selling venue has been contacted, so there's a possibility this shop will be shut down.
I mean, honestly...what HONEST person ignores a friendly word of advice and prefers to wait to see if they're busted by the legal owner? Of course, most honest people KNOW you cannot sell scans of someone else's work legally, or even morally.
Now, 'who wants an official letter telling them in legalese that what they're doing is stealing?' The same person who admits she doesn't know *who* designed the patterns, they were in her collection and she wanted to 'share' at 'bargain' prices. I have a feeling if her shop is shut down, she is such a generous, sharing person (with other people's goods anyway) that she'll merely open up under another name.

The pitter patter of little feet!

2011-06-07T16:14:00.000-07:00

It took several weeks after our cat passed away in January for me to even consider getting another cat or kitten.
When I was finally ready to think about it, *someone* put their foot down: no more pets! Then, a couple weeks later, it was "no more pets before we go on vacation". Last week, *someone* decided while we were in Windsor that we would stop at the humane society on the way home. Of course, that someone was looking at dogs, our 13yo and I looked at the numerous cats and kittens. Sadly, it did not surprise me that there were SO many kittens, a lot of people don't feel it's important to spay or neuter a cat. (side note: if you have EVER had a female cat go into heat, you would NEVER consider NOT spaying a female ever, ever, ever again! The added benefit of neutering a male: if he has not yet sprayed, chances are, after the surgery, he will not spray. Cat spray is as much a desired fragrance as skunk spray. Not quite as potent, but definitely pungent.)
We humoured my husband and did look at the dogs--if we didn't have two already, I would certainly have considered one or two of them!--then suggested he look at the cats with us.
The result: we brought our 16yo back the next day to help pick one out.
After 'test driving' 4 kittens ranging from 2-9 months, three of us couldn't agree. I was easy. We took a few minutes to discuss things outside, then went back in and saw a 2 month old calico kitten, similar to the older one my husband had looked at. An assistant showed us into what I shall call the visitor's room, brought in the kitten, and we ALL agreed.
Now, technically, we are only fostering her until a week after her appointment in July to be spayed. I didn't ask what they do with people who don't show up for the appointment, but curiosity may force me to ask in July. Hopefully they chase the people down and either retrieve the animal, or force the 'foster parents' to bring the animal in for the surgery. I'm sure most people who see the result of people refusing to take responsibility for their pets wouldn't consider avoiding the appointment, though. (says Sally hopefully)

My husband picked up little Cairo the next day, and she has certainly made herself at home. One coincidence: the birthdate on her papers happens to be the same day my sister Sue (1968-2002) was born--March 17th.
A week later, Cairo still tries to play with our older cat, who seems to have forgotten what it was like being the new kid on the block and trying to make friends with a grumpy older resident...she is warming up a bit to the dogs, today I even caught her laying on her back trying to swat our part sheperd's tail as he stood in front of my husband wagging it. I imagine that must be tempting to a young kitten! And, little Cairo doesn't hiss and growl if one of the dogs gets too close, as long as they don't move too quickly.
I have discovered that Cairo likes my laptop. The computer too...but the laptop more. When it's closed, she lays on top of it. When someone is using it, she walks across it. Which can lead to some momentary confusion when your top toolbar suddenly disappears, or you can't scroll or click on anything.

I think she also likes the television, I'll know for sure if I come into the room to find the tv tuned to Animal Planet instead of Space.

I think I was called a liar this morning

2011-05-12T08:24:00.000-07:00

But I did laugh. After I was safely in the back room out of earshot of customers.
I was putting some more reduced items on our produce reduced rack as an older couple were walking away. The man said to his wife "Hey, she has bags of mushrooms." So, they turned back. The woman picked up a bag from my cart and turned it over in her hands.
Her: "How much?"
Me: "They would be $4.40 a kilogram...that's about $1.99 a pound."
Her: "THAT'S not half price!"
Me: "Actually, the regular price is $8.80 a kilogram, or $3.99 a pound."
She looked at me with what looked like a mixture of disgust and anger on her face.
Her: "IT IS **NOT**!"
She put the bag down and walked off. I walked off too, after I finished at the reduced rack, and laughed as I told a fellow employee about my encounter. His response? "They're $8.80 a kilogram? Since when?" (Okay, so he hasn't been paying much attention to the mushroom price over the last few months either!)
Uh...I may not always remember what on earth day it is, and I may sometimes fib a little about my age (but when pressed, I do reveal my true age), but I've been bagging up reduced mushrooms several times a week, and they HAVE been $8.80 kg/$3.99 lb for weeks now.
It makes me wonder if she's someone who shops with total disregard for how much produce really is...until there's a 50% off sticker slapped on, THEN they're aware of the price.
Honestly, I did feel a bit sorry for her, I think I burst the bubble of denial over high prices she'd been living in.

Spring at last.

2011-04-24T04:43:00.000-07:00

At least, I *think* it is. It feels like it finally, smells like it...and hopefully I can get to my garden at last to remove the almost foot high weeds that had no trouble growing in the colder spring weather.

I would like to say thank you to my daughter Allie for my banner, she loves playing with graphics and creating her own for herself and others. I may have to recruit her to do more soon. :)

I have been working on my 70s colours afghan, and am almost done the last square and will be ready to assemble soon, I'm looking forward to having it finished and taking pictures--hopefully some good pictures--and listing it in my Etsy shop. I love that you can take a few colours from a bright and playful project such as this:

add a few different colours, and have a very different, very retro 70s project! (Stay tuned for pics!)

Companies are quick to take money, but...

2011-04-02T05:30:00.000-07:00

Yes, we all knew that. But did we know how hard it is to stop GIVING them the money?
A few years back, when our furnace broke down, I called for service and was talked into buying their protection plan, it would cover the visit, maintenance, and any future service calls it may need. Since it was cheaper to do that than pay the actual service call, okay. Please note, my husband's name is on the account, I'm not sure if I'm even an add-on. Most places won't even till you what time of day it is if your name's not on the account due to strict privacy laws here. Heck, I remember Bell, when I tried to call just to ask if they were having problems with their internet in our area, I had to give them my password...strangely, with Cogeco, a similar call got me an automated message that would tell even a wrong number that their service was down--so, no password required for that sensitive information!

I digress: I was told then that the furnace was more than 40 years old, that if it broke, chances were, they would not be able to find parts, we needed a new furnace. (He rigged it so it would work, but he wasn't sure how long that would hold.) Well, that and I'm pretty sure at that age, the dinosaur is not exactly energy efficient.

Flash forward to today, I've been paying $20 a month, *just in case* the furnace broke down and somehow, they would HAVE to help us. We've had no problems, have paid them somewhere in the area of $700, and haven't even called for a maintenance check in all that time. With both of us working full-time, and warmer weather coming (eventually), I felt it was worth taking a chance and cancelling the protection plan.

Yikes. First, I explained the situation. She put me on hold, came back, tried to talk me into keeping the plan. "NO. If it breaks, we're not looking at FIXING it, we're getting a new one, and do plan to have one by the next cold season anyway." She puts me on hold again, someone else from some other department gets on, tries again to talk me into holding on to the plan. I repeated what I told the other one.
She finally gave in, BUT, I have to EMAIL my request, they need a signature. HUH??? I started to get angry but kept my cool, she explained that because it was a contract...BULLFEATHERS. I've cancelled other contracts similar to this one without having to act like a circus animal and jump through hoops.

Send them that email? You bet! When we do start looking for the new furnace, will it be through them? Highly doubtful. And we may start looking to buy a hot water heater as well instead of renting.

And along the lines of companies eager to take your money...please, be VERY cautious when dealing with retailers that will offer you credit no matter what. Even if it's a low amount you're paying out per week, most often you'll wind up paying a lot more than if you'd saved up and bought the item cash.
It really does tick me off that people with no/poor credit can so easily be preyed upon. I know someone who was in very rough financial shape. Easy Home offered a great way for her to get new furniture, low payments a week, that's great! Unfortunately, they don't emphasize ahead of time what you will actually have paid by the time you're done...
This friend, seeing that she was doing okay with the payment for one set, decided to purchase something else she wanted. Then later, another....she wound up going about SIX or SEVEN times. When she lost her job, she was left with no money to make the weekly payments, which led to sixty or seventy dollars EVERY WEEK she fell behind. Why so much? It was $10 per TRANSACTION, and Easy Home does not combine them easily.
Sadly, Easy Home did get their furniture back, and my friend was left with almost nothing in her house. Of course, this was after Easy Home drove to her house several times a week, at least once, followed her when she was out driving through THREE towns, and then, according to one neighbour, offered him money to let them know next time she went out so they could come sit on the porch and wait for her return.
To finish this one up, friends got together and helped her purchase a new living room set--and my friend was amazed that a NEW set could be purchased so inexpensively, when she paid about triple through Easy Home. :(
I am not saying never use Easy Home or companies like them, although honestly, I'd much rather buy second-hand than through them, I'm just advising that if you should consider purchasing through them, KNOW what you're getting in to, and do NOT be sucked in to buying more than you can really afford.

Chasing away the winter blahs

2011-02-21T15:00:00.000-08:00

We had a teaser of decent weather last week, of course being on midnights I slept half the day away and missed it, and now we're back to the brutal reality of winter. Freezing temps, more snow, and even freezing rain in the wee hours this morning...with more snow expected tonight.
I love creating with colour, and browsing through Herrschners one day, found their kids brites yarns. I will say, I was slightly disappointed with their green and pink, and I do think it's hard to make a vibrant/almost neon lilac, but the afghan made from this yarn was bright nevertheless.

Now, I have bought bright yarns before, think they were Red Heart yarns, and they were bright! I think that's what I was expecting with the Herrschners yarns; even knowing that computer monitors can vary, the colours on their site seemed to almost glow. The colours I used were the pink, lime, aquamarine, light purple, and tangerine, which is more like a true orange than a tangerine. The square used is my Autumn Warmth 12" square, although with the yarn/hook used, they were a bit smaller than 12". They were assembled in strips of 3, with a border around each strip, then a final border around the entire assembled ghan.
The afghan measures 36" x 36" (about 91.5cm x 91.5cm), and would make a great gift either for a shower, or for a new baby--I can just see a toddler holding a favourite doll in one arm while dragging this as it hangs from the other. This one is finished and ready to ship, just click on the picture for the listing, or one can be made in your choice of colours--including more traditional baby colours!

Farewell, Dear Friend

2011-02-15T04:40:00.000-08:00

Smudge at 18 1/2 years, in an extremely rare moment, laying beside our Westie on the back of the couch.

We had Smudge for 18 1/2 years. We got her in the spring from a friend whose cat had a litter; Smudge was the name my friend had given this little tortoiseshell kitten, and it did seem to suit her, so it stayed.
When she was young, she loved to chew things. I remember one pair of red high heels that was one of my favourite pairs of shoes: Smudge chewed the heels and made them unwearable--to my husband's delight, he hated those shoes.

A few years after we got Smudge, we became pregnant with our first child, and Smudge was there to greet us when we at last brought our little bundle home. The cat accepted Delainey (more than she ever accepted any animal we brought in to her home!), and taught Delainey as she grew how to show affection by pushing her head against you. Honestly! I would ask for a hug, and I got a gentle headbutt from my now toddler.

When Delainey was two, we discovered we were to be blessed with yet another baby. By then, we had moved to a slightly bigger apartment, and decided to bring in another cat, this one a male orange and white that we affectionately called 'Scooter'. Yes, the name did fit him. He would hide around the corner, and as you walked by, jump out, attack your ankles with his clawless front paws, then dash off madly, leaving you standing there laughing at his antics.
Delainey took to Scooter, as did our second baby girl, but Smudge would have nothing to do with him.

A few years later, and another two moves, we were now in a house of our own, complete with a new four-legged addition to our family: Buster, part sheperd and part terrier we were told by the Humane Society where we picked him out. Sadly, Scooter was found lifeless in a neighbour's yard after we'd been here just a couple of years, I can't remember if he associated with the dog at all...but Smudge did not.

Several months later, we brought in another second cat, this one we didn't have to worry about choosing which cat to adopt from Kittenaide...Vixen (afterward called Stormy) chose us. When we brought her home, wondering how she would react with the dogs (two by now, our second being a Westie called Daisy), we discovered to our delight that she would play with the dogs...and the dogs with her. Anyone watching might have been frightened upon seeing Buster's teeth around Stormy's little kitten neck, but sitting as closely as I was, I could tell he was holding back and we wouldn't have to worry.

The difference in the two cats was huge: Smudge didn't like animals, Stormy did. Smudge didn't like to play, Stormy did. When winter weather hit, Smudge still enjoyed going outside, Stormy did not. :)
A few more years passed, and Smudge started to show her age. Her once charcoal and orange coat had faded to a light grey and pale orange coat. She stopped wanting to go outside as much, especially in the winter. Last summer, she stopped eating and simply laid on her cushion in the basement and we feared it was time for her to leave us. After three days, this spell ended, and Smudge was her 'normal' self once more. The winter of 2010-2011, Smudge didn't go outside at all, but by then, she was approaching what to us would be 90, and having lost a lot of weight, I am sure the cold would have seemed even colder.

Near the end of January, Smudge again stopped eating. One night, she jumped from the seat of the couch to the floor and fell over. She did manage to get up and walk to the kitchen, where she wound up laying on her side on the mat with a small patch of urine beneath her. I knew my dear friend of almost 19 years was leaving us soon, this time there was no doubt.
Thursday, January 27th, I went to work, wanting nothing more than to stay home to be with my feline friend. When I came home from work Friday morning, rather than heading off to bed once the girls were in school, I laid awake on the couch, with Smudge as comfortable as I could make her in a box beside me. How could I fall asleep when I didn't want to leave her alone in her final hours, for I knew it would be only hours. I petted her, and watched as her breathing slowed until she drew her last breath.

I had known it would be hard to say good bye, had known the time was coming and thought I would be prepared, but losing my faithful pet was devastating. I cried all day, and still as I write this, there are times I feel that if I turn my head from the television, and look at that dent centred on the back of the couch, there will be a little ball of pale grey and orange fur looking back at me.
To Smudge, not a cat, but a dear, beloved part of the family, I find it hard even now to say...good bye.

Work Woes

2010-12-17T04:52:00.000-08:00

First, just a bit of background. I work in the produce department of a local grocery store, part of a large chain.
It was one fantastic night. It started off okay...I actually remembered to swipe in before starting work--we now have to swipe in at the back of the store, where our department is, I'm used to starting work as soon as I get to the back so have on a few occasions forgotten to swipe in on time.
Then, product signs were done up for the price changes...but not sorted as to 'everyday value' and 'Now'. Okay, I can live with that, the ad was right there. HOWEVER, several items in the ad didn't have signs made up, which I thought was strange, because the system automatically prints out increases and decreases when you're doing signs. Figured I'd take care of these later.

Started pulling skids out onto the floor to work from, a case of raspberries fell off the top and inside I felt something between a scream and a hysterical laugh bubbling up as I watched helplessly ...BUT, good fortune was on my side, and NONE of the dozen 1/2 pints popped open.

Fast forward till almost the end of my shift, scanned the 'missing signs' items to make signs...they scanned at *regular* price. AAARGH. So, had to go online to file a report, hand that in at the cash office for them to change the prices...go back and print the signs, but not all of them had changed.
Finally scanned out...'punch accepted but late'. Geez, I had NO IDEA I had stayed 25 minutes past the end of my shift, I guess all the fun I was having...I just lost track of time.
Oh, and the fun doesn't stop there! Next week's schedule shows me as having 52 hours. Upon closer inspection, I noticed the problem lay in Thursday's scheduling. With our new system, we use military time, so a midnight shift would be 22:00-6:30. Well...*someone* entered my shift as 10:00-6:30, which means I start work 10 o'clock Thursday morning and leave at 6:30 Friday morning, for a whopping 20 hours (for my ninth midnight in a row better yet!!)

I had to laugh, though, and left a nice note for the acting produce manager: "Much as I would LOVE to...I'll have to say no to working 20 hours on Thursday." On the bright side--cause there always is one--after a night like last night, tonight *should* be a piece of cake. :)

Happy Birthday to Me....

2010-12-05T06:25:00.000-08:00

Another year has passed, and once again, my 29th birthday approaches. Or, as my sister Sue once said my "anniversary of my 29th birthday".

To celebrate (other than working midnight shifts going into and coming out of my birthday!), I am running sales in both my Etsy shops: 20% off your purchase, just enter coupon code 'happybirthday' when checking out in either shop. Smudgekitty (finished items) and CrochetSal's (my original patterns sent via email)
Coupon code is good through December 10th (my actual birthday) and this special will end at 7:00 am Saturday the 11th.

Observations

2010-11-30T12:35:00.000-08:00

Used to be when someone was sitting alone in a restaurant speaking out loud to the empty seat across from them, they might be considered crazy. Now, most likely, they are just unselfishly sharing their private conversations with everyone.

Seems more and more people want money for nothing. Someone on a field trip riding a bike (uh...was he wearing a HELMET??) fell and sustained injuries, $300,000. For falling off a bike, NOT due to any negligence. Another kid: $500,000 for injuring his finger on a weight. Of course, not only did *he* sustain mental stress, but apparently his mother felt the need to recoup $50,000 for her own mental anguish. Geesh. My niece was at a friend's house and wound up requiring emergency head surgery because keys to a recreational vehicle were left within reach of minors. My sister was told she would get NOTHING for her worry that her daughter could have DIED. So, I guess if 'M' had injured her finger instead of her head, maybe there'd have been money involved.
People have to start taking responsibility for their own actions. Frivolous lawsuits are taking up too much time in court, increase insurance costs to companies (raising prices for consumers so the company can cover these increased costs, for those who don't know this simple thing)

After reading the above article, I can only wonder how long it will be before schools stop field trips altogether. And of course, when you play a sport, there IS a chance you could sustain an injury. There is nothing on God's green earth that the school can do to prevent this, so if you choose to play, live with the consequences. (Barring a case of negligence, like maybe a basketball net not being anchored firmly and falling on you) Or maybe the schools would just be better off and do away with gym and sports.

And of course, do away with recess, because kids could trip over a loose shoe lace while chasing after that kid they've been bullying for two months, lose a tooth and the parents could sue the schoolboard. But wait, THEN parents would sue because (home life aside) little Tom or Annie are becoming obese from lack of exercise.

Happy Hallowe'en!

2010-10-30T17:10:00.000-07:00

Hallowe'en is one of my most favourite times of the year, I think it always has been. Even back in grade school, when dressing up for Hallowe'en was not something to avoid for fear of insulting someone. Although I do remember wanting to create my own costume, but my mother would instead buy the costumes. Back then, the costumes came in a box: a paper 'apron' style costume with a painted plastic mask held in place by a thin elastic stapled in place. Sometimes, the staple would grab hold of your hair and tug, other times, it would let go of the elastic at an inopportune time. But Hallowe'en was still fun.

In music class, we would listen to the tale of the Headless Horseman (definitely pre-Johnny Depp), and if you had an imagination, no director could match the visions you yourself produced to convince you that going out after dark could be detrimental to a major body part. And one song...classical music, and I had forgotten it till very recently when out of nowhere, a tiny portion of a tune started playing in my head. Without knowing the name, and without even being able to hum much of the tune to anyone to ask for help, I was overjoyed to finally find it. The song, Danse Macabre. I'm listening to it now as I write this--only about the dozenth time in a week. If dozenth is a real word...

And I still like carving pumpkins, even scooping out the messy, eew-y, goopy innards. I have to admit, I can be creative other times, but I've always had a hard time figuring out just how I wanted to carve my pumpkin. I've been in awe of the jack-o-lanterns that have been so intricately worked until they're not jack-o-lanterns, but pieces of art. I try for them, and fail miserably, and wind up with a simple jack that doesn't look nearly so nice as the traditionally carved ones on neigbours' porches.
But this year was different. An idea hit suddenly, before I'd even looked at the pumpkins, and this little fellow is the result:

I guess even pumpkins like gum.

Happy Hallowe'en!

Beautiful Fall Day

2010-10-15T11:03:00.000-07:00

We went camera shopping the other day. Nothing fancy, although I did see a camera I'd love to have if we did have $300-$400 to throw away. And not exactly what we had gone looking for, which was a Wal-Mart special. For only $70, it wasn't a bad deal, a Kodak Easyshare...but we were looking for one with the settings on a dial on the top, like we've been used to for a few years now.
We did find one, just under $100, with advanced video features (hey, we can ZOOM while in video mode now!!), with the settings on a dial on the top. I was hoping for a viewfinder other than the screen on the back, but the cameras we were looking at didn't have that.
I am happy with the camera, though, I took it with us this morning when we took the dogs for a short walk.
Some shots from our walk with the dogs:

This month's winners:

2010-09-21T20:12:00.000-07:00

I just couldn't do it. With only 3 people entered in my giveaway, how could I possibly draw 2 names and leave just one out? So...all 3 who commented on my blog win my first giveaway.
If you read this before I contact you, please email me at crochetsal (insert 'at' symbol) yahoo (insert 'dot') com. with your email address and your choice of prize: either the scrubbies/cloth set or the PDF patterns (any from my site or my Etsy shop totalling up to $6.50).

Congratulations to the winners, and thank you for entering my first giveaway!

Keep an eye on my blog for more giveaways!

A Giveaway!

2010-09-13T14:20:00.000-07:00

To celebrate my daughter's birthday, as well as the upcoming fall season (my favorite time of year!) I've decided to have a blog giveaway.
Prize: your choice of any of my original patterns totalling up to $6.50 max (PDF email OR snail mail), OR a set of 3 candy corn face scrubbies, est. value $5 (similar to picture, but the shades of yellow and orange may vary slightly) and a matching candy corn striped washcloth all in 100% cotton.

This is open to anyone 18 and over.
To be entered:
First, comment on my blog, telling me either your favourite thing about fall, or something you would like to see crocheted for fall or Hallowe'en. This will get one entry. (Please note, comments are moderated so will not show right away. Spam and other irrelevant posts will be deleted and will not count as an entry)
Additional entries:
Following my blog will get you another entry.
Following me on Facebook will also get you another entry.
You can choose to do all 3, and receive 3 entries. Maximum 3 entries per person.

I will keep this short and sweet, I know waiting to see if you've won can be hard!
Deadline to be eligible for entries is September 20th. I will put all entries into a hat and will draw TWO winners September 21st, time of day depends on what shift I am working. I will announce the winners here, and will also try to contact the winners privately. Be sure to check back on the 21st; if your name is here and you have not received an email from me, you will be instructed as to how to contact me to claim your winnings!

How Time Flies!

2010-09-13T12:02:00.000-07:00

First, although I loved the background my daughter had made me, I do admit, it was rather hard on the eyes so I switched to one of blogger's templates which is a little easier, still matches the 'lemonade stand' banner!

Today, my 'baby' turns 13. I looked at a picture of my shy little toddler this morning, and wondered how she grew to be almost my height in such a short time! But, I guess that's the way it is, always has been and doubtless always will be. The picture beside that one is my 15 year old when she was a little over a year old. It wasn't that long ago really that she was prancing into my hospital room after her younger sister was born, wearing pink and purple plastic shoes with a big red plastic 'gem' heart on the front. These were, she announced proudly, her 'holiday shoes': a dollar store item she and her dad had bought just before visiting.

I look at the pictures, and just want to hug their 13 and 15 year old selves. But, along with the days of sheer happiness in a pair of plastic dollar store shoes, hugging time has passed, except for special occasions, which are made all that much more special by that hug.

Happy Birthday to my 'baby', love and many hugs,
Mom

A Big Thank You for my surprise

2010-08-21T04:02:00.000-07:00

Thank you to my daughter who surprised me with this background and the banner. I thought the lemonade stand style was cute! She does enjoy designing graphics on the computer, and has even done a couple of animated cartoons, fairly simple, but I was impressed. Maybe some day she'll let me share one here...hint, hint!

Understatement of the year?

2010-08-19T08:56:00.000-07:00

I've posted before about the problems we were having with Next Door, so I won't say much except that there hasn't been much to laugh about going on there. Well, maybe when the port-a-potty was tipped over, but it might have been funnier if someone had been in it...
Until this morning. What's this on Mt. Kingsville?

Let's take a closer look:

Happy for the heads-up, cause that one may have taken me by surprise.

Thank goodness for that snow fencing btw, obviously not there to keep people out, but to hold back that dirt in the event of a heavy rainfall.

An ooops on my site, Bethany Ballerina free pattern

2010-08-15T14:53:00.000-07:00

I really have no idea how long my Bethany Ballerina page was sporting a picture only; it could have been when my site was upgraded (a few years?) or it could have been during an attempt to edit my pages which lately has meant pictures have been royally messed up on pages I wasn't even editing.
One morning I woke to TWO emails wondering where the pattern was? A big thank you to them, and I am so glad I was able to find it (a few computers later--the pattern was written in 2003), since the pattern seemed to have been lost in the computer switches. And another thank you, to the Wayback Machine where I found an old version of the page with my pattern intact. Whew!

Now, with my computers running Windows 7, and Yahoo's Sitebuilder not compatible with Windows 7 (running it by choosing compatibility works ONCE then I have to uninstall, reinstall...and each time pictures mess up) I thought I would try their Site Solutions. Aaargh. I already have a blog, thank you, and my 'new' pages with site solutions look more like a blog than an actual website. Plus, there's not as much freedom in creating my site. And I can't figure out how NOT to have every page linked to from the main page: with app. 100 free patterns, uh...nope.
So, rather than put Bethany back up on my site (please, Yahoo, will you FIX sitebuilder so it is compatible with Windows 7!!!) I'll post it here for now.

All the same copyright applies: no sharing the pattern via email, posting on another website (LINKS are okay though!!), no selling printed or electronic versions of this pattern. Feel free to make some dolls up and sell at craft shows, though, and if you make some money, I'll be thrilled for you!

Bethany Ballerina
Sally Ives/2003

Bethany is app. 9" tall

Materials:
worsted weight yarn in 3 colours: A=skin colour, B=Dress/shoes, C=hair
two small (4mm) beads, buttons, or embroider floss to embroider your own eyes
polyester stuffing
crochet hook size F (3.75mm)

Notes: Always join at end of rounds. Ch1 does NOT count as first sc, always sc in same st as starting ch1 of round. Sc dec: pull up loop in next two stitches, yo, pull through 3 loops.
Blp=back loop
To start:
With A: ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Rnd 2: In blps, ch1, 2 sc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3&4: Ch1, sc in blps of 3, both loops of 6 and blps of last 3 sts.
Rnd 5&6: Ch1, sc around.
Rnd 7: ch1, (dec, sc in next) around. (8) Stuff head firmly.
Rnd 8: Ch1, 2sc in each st around. (16)
Rnd 9: Ch1, sc in each st around. FO A.
Rnd 10: In back loops, join B in any st at back. Ch1, sc in each blp around.
Rnd 11-15: ch1, sc around. At end of 15, join in blp.
Rnd 16: in blps this round, ch1, sc around.
Stuff.
Rnd 17&18: Ch1, dec around. At end of 18, join, FO, leaving 6" tail. Weave tail in and out of stitches, pull tightly and fasten securely.

Arms:
With B, ch10. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. (9)
Rows2-4: ch1, sc across, turn. At end of row 4, FO, leaving about 12" tail.
With right side facing, join A in end of last stitch worked. Ch1, 5 sc evenly across end. Turn.
Rows 2&3: ch1, sc across, turn.
At end of 3, FO, leaving about 6" tail.
To finish: Cut 4" piece of pipecleaner, fold over ends slightly to fit inside length of arm.
Place pipe cleaner on wrong side of arm. Fold arm over, matching colours, sew long edges of arm together. Gather around hand end of arm using tail of col A, pull tightly, fasten securely.
Repeat for other arm.
Attach to sides of body, keeping free loops of first rounds on head centred at back. Sew between rounds 12&13.

Legs: (make 2)
With A, ch18. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (17)
Rows 2-4: Ch1, sc across. Turn, FO at end of row 4, leaving about 18" for sewing.
Join B with right side facing, in end of last stitch worked. Ch1, 5 sc evenly across end. (5)
Rows 2-4: Ch1, sc across, turn. FO, leaving small tail.
Matching colours, whipstitch long edges together, following finishing directions for arms, but using ½ of a pipe leaner for each leg.
Sew legs securely to body bottom.

Skirt:
With head facing, join B with sl st at back in free loops of rnd 15. Ch1, 2 sc in each st around. (32)
Rnd 2: ch3, dc in next st and in each st around.
Rnd 3: ch3, 2dc in same st. 3dc in each st around. FO.

Neck trim: with head facing you, join B with sl st at back in free loops of rnd 9. Ch1, sc in same st. (Ch1, sc in next st) around, ending with ch1, join to top of sc. FO.

Sew two beads, or embroider two eyes on face according to picture, or where you desire.

For Hair, cut several 8" lengths of C. Holding two strands together, and starting at bottom of free loop rounds, insert hook from bottom to top, fold strands centred around hook, pull through about ½", yo with tails and pull through loop.
Repeat in each free loop on head. For additional hair on top to avoid a bald spot, I did two fringes worked around posts of stitches of first round. Trim hair as desired.

Website work

2010-08-10T06:39:00.000-07:00

In the spring, I had contacted Yahoo about being unable to use their sitebuilder to work on my site with them, and found out their sitebuilder is not compatible with Windows 7 (still, btw); I was given directions as to how to work around this. Sadly, installing it using 'compatibility' worked ONCE. After I closed the program, in order to use it again, I had to uninstall, re-install using the compatibility whatever...and pictures messed up on pages I wasn't even EDITING. Which is why if you visit my site some of the pictures look like this:

Click HERE to see my new (even if temporary) front page.

I finally decided to try their site solutions, which in my opinion looks nothing like a webSITE and more like a BLOG. Although it is fairly easy to use (would like to be able to put two paypal buttons on one item though!), the actual viewing area is about half the width of the screen, so each description is long as opposed to wide, and there is more scrolling involved to see everything on the page. *sigh* I think I am still hoping for the day someone at Yahoo makes their sitebuilder compatible with Windows 7 without the seemingly useless 'fix'. I miss being able to have more control over the appearance, as in my own backgrounds...this *may* be available with site solutions, I just may not have found out how yet.

Until then, though, I guess it's better to be able to edit items error-free and have a 'site' that looks like so many others. BTW, if anyone knows how to customize the design using Yahoo's site solutions, I'd love to hear how--as long as you can tell me in 'Sitebuilder for Dummies' terms.

You're stuck...where? You want HOW much?

2010-07-11T05:08:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, the scammers are out in full bloom now, just smell that fishy fragrance.
In one crochet group recently, there was that good ol' "I'm in another country and have been mugged and all my money and my passport has been stolen, the embassy is not helping fast enough, I need money now." that was posted. Now, I know that sometimes, these scammers hack into other people's accounts and use them so that the email seems to come from a person you know, but many others do not.
One woman in the group was quite derogatory about the 'sender', let's call her 'Jane', and blasted 'Jane'. I pointed out that it probably wasn't 'Jane' that sent it at all, but that someone probably had hijacked her email.
Sadly, this went through to the group BEFORE that name was removed...and this is one scammer who was waiting for a reply.
I was fortunate enough to get a personal email from the scammer.
"Thanks for you getting back to me,yes i sent you the email.Actually i came down here for a program and on my way back to the Hotel where i was staying, i forgot my little bag in the Taxi where my money, passport, documents and other valuable things were kept, i am facing a hard time here and really stranded here because i have no money on me right now.I contacted the embassy here to help me out but it will take some time for them to get back to me,i urgently need your financial i will appreciate what so ever you could afford to help me with and i promise to pay you back as soon as i get back home.
Hope to hear from you soon,"

Uh...yeah. You'll be hearing from me, hate to see a 'friend' stuck (btw, all my friends are present and accounted for--and you're not one of them, but oh, well, if you can't trust an unknown stranger, who can you trust) and sure, I'll forward a couple grand to help you out. Right after I finish sinking all this money into running here and there and paying fees to get that inheritance from overseas. Or after that several million dollars is put in my account so an anonymous person can remove it from their country, for which they will give me a sizable chunk. (there's a few of those, I don't think my descendants will EVER have to worry about money)
And after all the goodies come rolling in from forwarding emails about commercial products and hotels and whatever else, maybe I'll share some of those with you, too.
Of course, my email might be shut down so I might not be able to contact you. I don't think I forwarded the MSN/hotmail/aol/Yahoo message enough times, you know, the one about deleting inactive accounts that didn't forward this message x number of times? So please provide me with your name, phone number, physical address, social insurance/security number, bank info, oh, and don't forget the PIN.

Is it National Scream Your Head Off Day?

2010-07-07T11:12:00.000-07:00

Is there even a National Scream Your Head Off Day? If not, I now believe there should be one. Scream and let it all out.

First, the mess next door. Already mentioned, moving on...
Vacation. Hubby didn't let me know soon enough (March) and the weeks he did finally ask for and be approved for are no longer available to me due to others having already booked. Okay, so my manager did try to book me off for several days straight, he is awesome when it comes to trying to work with you like that.
Work? Uh, scratch those several days off. We're one man down, due to a teen who looked upon work as something to do when there was nothing else to do. If there was something else, oh, well, just don't show up. don't call, don't show up. Or try to request a day off AFTER the schedule has been written, then don't bother to check said schedule, but ASSUME you get your day off and don't show. Or better yet, don't bother asking for a special day off for an event that every idiot knows is planned months in advance. When the schedule is posted with you being scheduled to work that special day, don't bother seeing if other arrangements could be made, just DON'T SHOW UP. And forget about showing the next day...or a few days later for that shift either.
But please, don't be surprised when you finally do decide to show up for a shift that it's not yours anymore, and you don't need to worry about checking a schedule at that place anymore. Period.

And please, don't bother yourself that because of your irresponsibility, others will now have to fill in. Again. Others who do show up for work on their scheduled days. Others who didn't take a vacation the previous year because her spouse was laid off and she figured it was better to have that money than time off. Others who rarely get a Sunday off, who were *hoping* to get a full weekend off this weekend. The first weekend of her husband's two week vacation, and she may have wanted to do at least a quick weekend trip somewhere.
Okay, end of rant.

Wondering though, if this crap could actually benefit me. How would hubby feel about me running my own business now, if I could add to the plusses with: no more midnight shifts, with me trying to sleep during the day when you would actually like to do something as a family. No more midnight shifts and day shifts mixed in a week. No more being called in when someone doesn't show up for work and feeling obligated to say 'okay' or feeling a little guilty at saying no. Choosing my own hours, opening one Sunday a month, or even none at all...

And more Happy Pictures

2010-07-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

I've just been told by a neighbour who spoke to someone and discovered that our lovely view will be all ours for the entire summer. Need I mention just how happy this makes my husband and I?
The dirt finding its way into our open windows, or onto my clothes hanging out to dry...
The pipes 40 centimetres from our property line, which smelled like sulfur?
The front end loader which looked like it was about 3 feet from my fence, which btw, is 10 feet INSIDE my property line...
I am waiting for just one of our trees to be harmed, just one...
And I have composed a letter to the Deputy Mayor which is waiting for me to re-read when I've cooled down a bit. Hopefully I do cool down a bit.
I would like to set things straight, we are not really angry with the workers, after all, they're doing their job. We are upset that they don't seem to have been advised to respect the neighbourhood, especially the neighbours whose property is alongside 'their' property. And...ALL SUMMER??? I am so not looking forward to the upcoming week when I'll be working midnights and expecting to sleep sometime through the day. I am just glad that the last night I worked, the following day was a pick up dirt day and not a dump dirt day. The pick up dirt days are quieter than the dump dirt days: no sounds like cannons going off several times through the day.

Today's pictures, the most recent addition to the mess. These pipes are about 40 centimetres from the property line. And as mentioned above, have a sulfurous smell to them, I'm wondering if they were gas lines?!?

The measuring tape is a 3metre tape, and its tip is at our fence. The picture below shows the distance between the pipe and the 3 metre from our fence mark (which is still inside the property line). It is 40 centimetres, unfortunately, I could not get the numbers to show clearly on the tape and still show the tape and the pipe. A crocheter I am, photographer...not so much. This was after my husband tried to move the pipes away from our property, I'm not sure whether he did manage to move them at all or not. If he did...they were closer before.

And a couple more shots of the jumbled mess of pipes, along with the new pile that is stretching toward us. If I were a Sci-Fi geek, I might think it was actually growing. Uh...wait, I AM a sci-fi geek. (or so my kids say)

For sale or trade: one three bedroom house...with a view?

The Lot Next Door...revisited

2010-06-29T09:24:00.000-07:00

I'll sum up our story so far: town owned garage on property, we wanted to buy small strip to preserve trees, town ignored us, sold land for a pittance, spent taxpayers money digging up a brand new road to put in new sewer connections for 4 duplexes. Found contaminated soil (no surprise, they KNEW it was there) after they dug a pit, so no housing. Pit sat for a year...finally the town filled it in and THEN accepted our offer to buy that tiny strip of land. After of course, most of the trees were removed.
Now, there is street construction going on, for about a month now...with a couple streets north of us, and at least one south of us being worked on, and guess where headquarters is for all the old crap dug out of the street and the new crap going in?
So, instead of a view like this:

We have this one from our bedroom window:

The 500 feet I'm guessing means while it's out on the road and moving, since there's no way it's 500 feet from us. In fact, it was only 4 feet from our property line:

Those small trees, btw, were what we could afford to plant to 'replace' the large emerald cedars that were ripped down. Some day, they will grow large, I'm not sure I hope I'm still in this house to see that though, the way things are going with that lot.
Instead of being home to some nice birds and squirrels, maybe a thieving raccoon or two, we have this pile in the back corner, again, not too far from our property line: (yes, there's an old hydrant in that pile!)

And some other views of the property, which apparently is for sale zoned commercial:

What's not shown is the now huge pile of dirt close by where that water truck 'was' parked (it was removed this morning, maybe just temporarily). Even hearing the dump trucks approach, and KNOWING what's coming next does not stop me from jumping out of my skin at the cannon-loud sound of the back flap slamming shut after the dirt is dumped.
The piece-de-resistance? This lovely view from the road--

Yes, right to the curb! Now, couldn't they have put it farther back? I mean, the poor neighbours across the road have a somewhat uglier view than even we have. And really, would YOU use it, knowing anyone driving by knows what you're about to do??? I probably shouldn't complain, they might move it back in the corner by that old fire hydrant and my dogs will bark every time some worker has to go-potty.

The kicker: That nice view of trees above? We could have had that, if the town hadn't waited till they discovered the land could not be used the way they wanted it to be used--and after the pit within 12" of our fence and property line, caving in, btw, they STILL charged us full price, along with ALL fees involved. Yes, we were willing to pay this, but geez, I wonder if they would have gotten that much from the intended purchasers for the whole d***ed lot!

My creative muse is back!

2010-06-17T06:39:00.000-07:00

Thankfully! My creative muse had left me sometime last year, and it was hard to come up with new ideas, I just felt stale. I did stop trying to force myself to design, and instead worked on some items from 'older' patterns of mine.
Finally, I believe my muse is back, whether for a short visit or a long-term stay I'm not sure. Hopefully the latter.
Two of my first designs since his/her return are bookmarks--Page Peekers I think I will call them. Their faces peek at you from above the book page they're marking, and their puffy toes (or shoes on upcoming ones) poke out the bottom. Of most books. There are some very large books that will keep the toes well-covered.
Here I have Red Devil and the Hairy Goblin, the patterns are currently being tested and will be available shortly!

The finished bookmarks are available now in my Etsy shop, clicking on the picture will take you to the item's listing. If they've sold, just send me a message and I can make them to order!

Summer's Almost Here...a new school year ahead

2010-06-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

Two girls are looking forward to the end of the school year: as usual, I kind of am, but part of me will miss having some alone time at home for those months. Round about the beginning of August, I will be looking forward to the beginning of the school year!
I have to say, for the first time ever, I am REALLY hoping my daughter doesn't get a particular teacher. Besides my daughter coming home so many times through the school year complaining, I myself am sure this teacher tells the kids one thing, and acts completely different around adults. I did meet the teacher face to face, and although she was saccharine sweet to us and expressed concern that maybe my daughter was misinterpreting the teacher's actions (my daughter got the impression Mrs. X thought she was stupid), I just got this feeling that that wasn't real. *Usually* my feelings aren't too far off.
Back in soccer season, I helped drive the girls to their games at nearby schools. While waiting one day, a few girls came into the front entry exclaiming "Wow, Mrs. X REALLY does not like the kids leaving early for soccer!" Not just a "Oooh, she doesn't like" but a "Wow, she REALLY does not like". When talking to the vice principal later on, she admitted she'd talked to the teacher, but about a different matter surrounding the kids leaving early for soccer. (A whopping 10-15 minutes usually!) The teacher told the VP that she did not want people to think she was against extra-curricular activities.
Apparently, students don't count as teachers.
This teacher also 'calls out' students who have asked for help or are in need of it. Can you imagine most of your classmates seem to have a grasp on a certain topic you're learning, and you have gone to the teacher and gotten the help you need, but maybe you still need more help cause you're not quite there yet...one day in class, the teacher comments that if anyone needs help, to please see her. Just ask Sally, she asked for help! Uh, I think I would be mortified. Would the other kids think I was stupid? I might even be hesitant to ask for help later when I need it. Or maybe Tommy, who is struggling along..."If you don't understand this, please come back and see me. No one??? Well, Tommy, you should be back here." Poor Tommy.
Yes, the kids are in grade 7, and I certainly don't expect the teacher to hold their hands and walk them tenderly through the year, but a little bit of respect and common decency (and maybe some teacher/student confidentiality?) might not be amiss.

Hopefully, you can understand my desire for my daughter to NOT have that teacher for her final year of grade school.

'Human' Selfishness

2010-05-30T06:12:00.000-07:00

Or maybe it's sub-human selfishness.

Many years ago when I was considerably younger, I remember going out to my grandfather's farm where there'd been excavating going on. Eventually, the pits filled with water and were kept as ponds, and my family would go back in the summer and swim in some of them.
Sometimes, while my parents were talking to my grandfather and step-grandmother, my two sisters and I would walk back to the ponds. One time, along the path at the top of the hill, my one sister screamed and went running back: there'd been a small snake at the side of the trail. Another time, following a strange noise, I came upon two sets of eyes, one strangely on top of the other...then I realized it was a snake swallowing a frog. Nothing I could do for the frog at that point.
The ponds were a place where I felt at peace: it was quiet, with trees around, and birds, but no people. I started to dream about the ponds, mostly about people who lived 'under' the ponds. They weren't good, they weren't bad, they were just there. I couldn't help but wonder if there had been people living there, long before my grandfather, and the dreams were showing me what once was.

Several years back, the ponds became a place where a few people (with permission of course!) could set up their trailers and camp through the summer, and eventually became--aptly named--The Ponds trailer and rv park.

Close by I guess is an area that's popular for dirt bikes and atv's, I am not sure if they have permission to be on that land or not, but do know they have no permission to be on my family's property. The owners of the vehicles modify them for maximum noise level, and have been destroying the peace and tranquility of the Ponds. Yesterday, the Ponds was in the local daily newspaper, the problems with the 'men' riding these vehicles has escalated.

I am outraged that they were confronted doing something wrong, and have the nerve to swear and attempt to run someone over. If they'd had just a BIT of consideration for other people, this would never have happened. But apparently, it is more important for them to make their off-road vehicles as noisy as possible and race and rev to their heart's content than it is for other people to enjoy nature. Definitely a case of human selfishness.
I do hope these 'men' are caught. Please note the quotes, I use the term 'men' loosely, since I'm really not sure you can be called a man if you intentionally run over a woman and a defenceless man for trying to calmly stand up for their rights. Or maybe the people under the ponds will rise up to defend the land that long before had been theirs.

Spending more time on Facebook now...and Doily Dilemma

2010-05-17T06:25:00.000-07:00

But not too much! I've recently started a fanpage there for my crochet--both patterns and finished items--and am gradually adding photos of my work.
I have also started listing some of my patterns for purchase through Ravelry, and that's an even slower process, since I now have over 250 patterns. Wow, didn't realize I had that many for sale!! And once I get around to those ideas that have been floating around my head for a few weeks now, there will be a few more.

I was recently given a few grocery bags of fabric scraps, with some doilies mixed in. This was from a co-worker who just retired, and I so want to make something from some of this for him and his wife as a thank you. I had thought of affixing a doily to fabric, either sewing (ugh) or by ironing on with fusible web (tried the stuff, LOVE it). Someone in my Etsyhookers team suggested stiffening them into bowl shapes, which is a great idea. While mulling this over, a couple of suggestions came through the Crochet Partners mailing list--quite coincidentally because I hadn't posted anything to that group! One linked to a blog where someone had sewn doilies together, to form a larger piece, then wrapped it around a pillow. I do like the look of it!
There was also a link to a candle cover (around a glass container, and well away from any flames) made using doilies which was another idea, unfortunately, I seem to have deleted the email with the link.

I had also wondered, along the stiffening lines...can you use resin on crochet cotton? If anyone has tried this, I'd love to hear about it!

Whatever I do decide to do with the doilies, I will have to wash them thoroughly, they'd been starched and stiffened, and some I believe were ruffled doilies but due to the storage, they were all scrunched up and the ruffles lost. I might have some fun with these doilies, just a matter of finding time to play!

A Mother's Day Gift

2010-05-09T06:26:00.000-07:00

From my 12yo, who took images from items I've made and listed on Etsy to form not only the background, but the letters as well! Thank you Allie!
Hope all moms have a wonderful Mother's Day.

Wow, think moving became a stronger possibility...

2010-05-07T06:06:00.000-07:00

Continuation of my last post. Where were we? I had heard back from someone at 'Billing' where either the link the guy I talked to by phone and gave me was wrong, or someone did not read and forwarded it to billing. She gave me the proper web page to fill out a form. (after a flew clicks to go to another page)
I filled that out, it was via http://abuse.yahoo.com. After a few days, I just heard back last night. The da**ed message got bounced to BILLING again. And I stated on the form that I was NOT behind, even the worker on the phone told me my account was fine. So, BILLING? AGAIN?

I just do not understand how such a big company can seem to be so uncaring. In my reply to this latest 'please call us' from billing, I replied with an "I think I'm GIVING UP". Geez, I hate to seem like I'm not caring, yet I seem to be putting more effort into reporting this phishing attempt than Yahoo is putting into looking into it.

Yahoo, is it time to move on?

2010-05-03T10:56:00.000-07:00

Ya know, I've heard people complain about Yahoo and trying to reach them with problems, but usually after several minutes of digging around their site, I could find a contact form to fill out for my particular problem.

A month or so ago, I noticed that my Sitebuilder was not working. I did some digging, discovered that it's not compatible with Windows 7 and was able to reach them by a contact form. Helllloooo, most places would try to come up with a fix right away. Instead, I was instructed to uninstall, then reinstall following a troubleshooting option. Okay, worked, I edited, published all was good with the world.
Until the next time I tried to edit my site. Sitebuilder would not work. Apparently, the installation method did not save the settings. I contacted them again, asking if maybe I was supposed to uninstall and reinstall EVERY time I needed to edit my site? I was given the same directions, with a little more to save the settings...again, I worked, edited, published.
Then a few days later...do I need to say more? I contacted Yahoo once more, to receive a message stating that I could call them if I needed help. I was really hoping not to have to go that route. There are times you want to speak to a live person, then others when a simple email conversation is preferable: this was one of those times.
If you check out my site, there are pictures that are glaringly pixelated in brilliant red blue and green hues. Why? Because I really did not feel like calling Yahoo. Seriously, I am considering moving my site, and I've been there from the beginning--of my site that is. :)

Last week, I did wind up calling them. I received a 'final notice, account suspension' email apparently from yahoo billing. Well, a few things made me suspicious. #1: the payment to them each month has been showing up on my credit card statement. #2: the amount stated just didn't add up given my monthly payment. #3: A 'final' notice? Don't I have to receive at least one notice prior before receiving a 'final'?
So, I called them to ask for an address to report a possible phishing scam. The gentleman gave me an address, I happily forwarded the email, full headers and all, explaining that I was sure it was a phishing attempt, that although *I* did not click on any links, others might be more trusting and give out personal information.

The response? Well, first, it was an automated message telling me they couldn't help me, to fill out a form at 'this' address. Okay, clicked...had to click another link...then another...think there *may* have been another...then finally found the form to fill out. The response? Came from BILLING, telling me that if I was concerned about an overdue payment, that I could call to check my account status.
Uh...HUH???? Do these people READ their bloody emails? In full I mean, not just skimming?

So, I may be 'house hunting' for my site. Bravenet comes to mind...
And put that together with Ning doing away with their free sites and our Etsy team may have to move from there soon, I may be looking at major upheaval.

It's a RHHN!

2010-04-28T15:54:00.000-07:00

Short for Red Hot Hooker Night! Hooker, as in crocheter, if you thought otherwise...well, shame on you! :)

If you crochet, there are a few shops involved who are offering BOGO free specials on their original patterns--me being 'two' of them: patterns and finished items.
check out this list of participating shops, there's everything from patterns, to yarns, to scarves, dolls, afghans, dishcloths...something for everyone!

There's some excitement in the Hooker ranks today, Red Hot Hooker Night began at 6pm Eastern and will run until 12 midnight.
Participating shops and their advertised specials--don't forget to mention 'RHHN' where required for your savings! And for the BOGO pattern specials, be sure to state which pattern you would like free, this will speed up delivery time for your PDF's, as the seller will not have to contact you and wait for a reply.

Welcome to Etsyhookers team Red Hot Hooker Night!
Below is a list of participating shops and the specials they are offering. If you
see something you like, snap it up and take advantage of the sale before it's too late, this 'red light district' shuts down at midnight!
**Please check each shop's announcements for more details on their special.

http://noradora.etsy.com and http://noradoramora.etsy.com : 10% off any crocheted item, difference refunded via paypal after payment is
made.

http://redberrycrochet.etsy.com : BOGO, buy any pattern, get one of equal/lesser value FREE! State free pattern choice in 'Notes to Seller'. Also, 10% off all shop items (excluding pdf patterns
and shipping), type 'RHHN' in Notes to Seller and difference will be refunded.

http://theselovinghands.etsy.com : All patterns, BOGO free (free one is of equal/lesser value). State your free pattern choice in Notes to Seller. Also, 10% off finished/ready to ship items, mention 'RHHN' in Notes to Seller and the difference will be refunded.

http://mysparetimedesign.etsy.com : 20% off all winter items tagged 'winter' Reduced prices are as shown. (ps: it's mysparetimedesign's birthday! Happy Birthday!)

http://maineleecrochet.etsy.com : 10% off storewide, refunded after payment is made. Free gift if you add 'RHHN' in notes to seller!

http://weebeeuniquesbyjulie.etsy.com : All crochet patterns, BOGO free (free one is of equal/lesser value) State free pattern choice in Notes to seller. Also, 10% off all items excluding patterns, mention 'RHHN' in Notes to Seller, difference will be refunded through paypal.

http://crochele.etsy.com : 10% off your entire order via a PayPal refund, plus free shipping if you mention 'RHHN' in Notes to Seller. For faster service, please state colour and size choices in Notes as well.

http://mljewelry.etsy.com : All Crochet items, save 15%, refunded through paypal after payment is made.

http://catiescottagecrafts.etsy.com : 10% off everything, refunded through paypal after payment is complete.

http://veronica06.etsy.com and http://zell06.etsy.com : free shipping in both shops.

http://samscrochet.etsy.com : 10% off your entire purchase, plus free shipping when you mention 'RHHN' in Notes to Seller. Savings will be refunded after payment is complete.

http://crochetgal.etsy.com : I will be offering 25% off all of the Econopac yarns (bags of 10 balls) in the shop, and 10% off all other yarns. The econopacs include the Inspiration (alpaca /soysilk blend), the ROCK (wool, soysilk, hemp blend) and the CRAFT (organic cotton & milk protein blend). If you see something in the smaller packages that you would like in the larger pack, please let me know. I may not have all the large packs listed. All shipping will be combined. Discounts will be in the form of a paypal refund.
And YES!!! I do ship worldwide!

http://moandozzy.etsy.com : BOGO 25%off. 25% discount will be taken from the less expensive of the two items and refunded via PayPal after I recieve cleared payment. This offer is good for anything in my shop - including clearnace items! Also, 10% off any custom order placed during Red Hot Hooker Night - just mention RHHN in your convo.

http://lauraslefthook.etsy.com : Receive 10% off all handmade items when you enter RHHN in message to seller section at checkout. Discount will be refunded via Paypal once payment is received. Also, buy one individual crochet pattern, get one free (of equal or lesser value.) Enter RHHN and which pattern you would like for free in message to seller section at checkout.

http://etsy.com/shop/heatbria : 15% off all items, be sure to mention 'RHHN' in notes to seller. 15% refunded via paypal after payment is complete.

http://theneedlenerd.etsy.com : 10% off all items excluding patterns. Mention 'RHHN' in notes to seller to receive your 10% refunded via paypal.

http://PixieWorx.etsy.com : 20% off the purchase price (excluding shipping) on everything in my shop. Discount refunded via paypal after payment has been completed.

http://jmatkovi.etsy.com : 15% off all shop items (not including spinning/felting fiber, pdf crochet patterns, and shipping cost). Add RHHN code in notes to seller at checkout and your discount will be refunded to you through paypal (after payment is received).

http://smudgekitty.etsy.com : 15% off all shop items (excludes shipping, does include sale items!). 10% off all custom orders placed tonight.

http://crochetsal.etsy.com : BOGO--buy one crochet pattern, get one of equal/lesser value FREE! State your free pattern in Notes to Seller.

Current works

2010-04-12T06:03:00.000-07:00

I've been having fun lately working with thread. Plus a traditional granny square afghan on the side when I need a 'break'.
In particular, I've been making teddy bear bookmarks. I've seen some people make bookmarks out of worsted weight yarn, and this always makes me cringe. I think it 's just me--I imagine the thick yarn 'stretching' the book while it's holding the reader's place. Then, especially if the reader doesn't return in a timely manner, for sometime afterward, the book will remember that spot all by itself and automatically fall open to it.

I do much prefer thread bookmarks, although they still are thicker than a sheet of paper, they're less than half the thickness of a yarn bookmark. And these teddy bears I have to say, look so cute peeking above the book cover waiting for your return!

So far, I have only 5 of them in my shop, but do hope to have more (plus a few different ones I have in mind to start when my thread order comes in!) soon. You can click on the picture to be taken to the listing and see other pictures, along with a closeup of the face!

Time of Bizarre Dreams

2010-04-09T05:52:00.000-07:00

I had thought at first it was the Buckley's, or the NyQuil, that I'd been taking (not at the same time of course!) for my chest cold in the hopes that one of them would stop the constant coughing that kept me from having a good night's sleep. Then I began to wonder if it was perhaps the cold itself...
Now, I'm just not sure.
It's just a time of bizarre dreams.
Like, last night, I dreamt I was in a small town, in a park that overlooked shops across the street. I do remember seeing a hardware store, but don't remember the other shops adjacent to it. Basically, the dream was about a woman who had kicked her husband out, suspecting he'd been cheating on her. He'd come home and the wife noticed lipstick on his face.
In the park, I witnessed him approach a woman who was sleeping on a bench (she looked like she may have been a prostitute, blonde, 30-40-ish) with lipstick prints on her face in a pink lipstick shade. (Remember, I DID say bizarre! and I tend to dream vivid, btw) I watched as the man reached into a pocket, pulled out a lipstick tube, applied some to his own lips, then tucked the tube into his pocket and walked off.
So, he wasn't cheating, just had a weird lipstick fetish.

Now, where on earth would that dream have come from?!? I cannot be the only one that dreams such vivid, weird dreams?

I have to say, the bizarre dreams are still more welcome than the 3-4 nights of dreaming about UFO's approaching, and the dread I felt hearing them, but not wanting to SEE them. Not to mention finding out quite some time later after I mentioned them to my brother that (I seem to remember it was) in South America, there'd been UFO sightings during that time.

If it has to be one or the other, I'd much prefer the bizarre dreams, they're at least entertaining.

Spring is...where?

2010-03-29T10:47:00.000-07:00

Officially, it's spring. Temperature wise, I think Ol' Man Winter's dragging his heels making way for Spring.

With milder temps, I love hanging clothes out on the line. Not only does it cut down drastically on energy usage, but my energy bills go way down. So...I carry out my first basket of clothes fresh from my cold water wash. It's a little breezy, but not too bad. My youngest daughter, however, has a habit of pulling off her clothes and leaving them inside out, and I have a hard time hanging them that way. So, I turn them rightside out. And before I finish hanging one load, my fingers are throbbing and stiff from the cold, making it a little tricky to use the clothespins. After a brief defrost inside the house, I went out to finish, learning from my lesson, and determining with the next load to turn the clothes rightside out while still INSIDE the house...or grit my teeth and hang them inside out.

The good news is, that little breeze picked up a bit more, so as cool as it is outside (9 degrees celsius, about 48 fahrenheit--but they don't mention the wind chill!) they should be pretty dry by the time I pull them in.

*******************************************************************************

OKAY. Left this partway through to hang my last load. Two loads on the line, I was almost in my door, and heard a strange noise behind me. Wondering what our little Westie had gotten into, I turned around, then almost laughed. But I thought I would save the laughing till later, in case I wouldn't be able to stop myself. There, no longer upright and proud but flat on the ground, was my clothesline. With the clothes. (Two loads, did I mention?)
I opened the door, called out to hubby that he just *had* to see this, he came to check out what I meant...and thankfully, he didn't laugh, but was kind of sympathetic.
The bright side: (yes, there IS one) we've been putting off getting a new clothesline because it would be a pain in the keister to dig up a deep block of cement so chose instead to use this one as long as we could. Turns out the previous homeowner was not exactly a great DIY'er, and instead of digging a deep hole, chose to dig one about 4-5" deep, lay some gravel, then a few INCHES of cement. What with the weight of the clothes, the wind, and the excessive sogginess that comes with spring, that bit of cement pulled away from the earth.
Now, like a slightly better DIY'er, I did some research on clotheslines, now that we no longer have to worry about digging up a 2-3 foot deep block. The smart thing to do, when living in areas that freeze, is to dig the hole below the frostline (they recommend about 3 feet), and to make the bottom of the hole slightly wider than the top. Well, obviously this past hole was not dug even close to the frostline, and was bowl shaped, with the narrow part of the bowl at the bottom.

What did I do? I DID laugh. That's me. Out in the windy cold (they don't give the wind chill when temps are above zero...figures), hanging cold wet clothes till my fingers hurt almost as bad as the headache part of a migraine, with a chest cold to boot...and all for nothing.
Well, at least the hydro company will be happy a little longer now that I have to continue to use my dryer.

My Website and Windows 7

2010-03-26T11:59:00.000-07:00

Who knew? I bought a laptop a month or so ago, with Windows 7 pre-installed. After the horrific time we had with Vista, there was no way I was buying anything with Vista loaded on it. At the same time, we had our desktop in for 'surgery': Vista was removed, and Windows 7 installed.
Now, I had to download all the programs I'd been using before this surgery....one of which was Yahoo's Sitebuilder. Download, install...check.
Open, edit...check. Save...AAAAARGH. Errors. Wouldn't save a thing.
Tried a few times, thinking it was just a glitch, and each time sighed (okay, SWORE would be more like it) and closed the program.
I finally contacted Yahoo yesterday, and figured it had to be a compatibility issue, after all, Windows 7 is only 6 months released? and during the contact us process, when it asked for the operating system....Windows 7 was nowhere to be seen.
TODAY, I heard back. Wow. Only one day! And yes, it was a compatibility issue, but the tech in his reply gave me step by step instructions. I was almost afraid to try to edit and save, after all, I'm coming down with my first cold in ages and have a scratchy throat; I really did not feel up to yelling four letter words at my laptop. Thankfully, that was not necessary.

On a crochet note, I bought a pattern (yes, sometimes I do use someone else's patterns) from MsPremiseConclusion on Etsy. She's also a member of Etsyhookers team, and during a promo thread on Etsy, I checked out her budgies. They were so cute, and suddenly I had a picture in my mind of our tiny little tree out front with colourful budgies adorning its branches. Wouldn't that make people look twice? To see a picture and check out the listing, just follow me...
I will have to post a picture when it's done. Of course, I will have to put the birds in place when no one's home to stop me. :)

Finally got around to it...somewhat!

2010-03-09T10:18:00.000-08:00

I am emberrassed to say just how long I've been thinking of and talking about doing this, so I'll just say after a 'little bit' of time, I've finally gotten around to taking out some of the crochet and craft magazines I know I will no longer use, took pictures and listed them on Etsy as commercial supplies.
I do have more, but baby steps! Put them together with my yarn and thread already in my destash section, and there's projects in them thar listings. Check them out.
Now, I also have a bag full of Avon skin care products and 'with purchase' items that were sent as part of a seller's program, please, grant me the determination to break out my camera and take pictures and get them up on eBay. And grant me the good fortune of having people want to save $$ to take them off my hands at cost or very little above! In some cases, below cost!
Procrastination is my enemy.

Also, I did add a new handmade item, from my Easter Stuffies pattern set I'm re-working, and got a little creative with the main picture:

Clicking on the picture will take you to the listing.

Spring is coming! Spring is coming!

2010-03-02T11:57:00.000-08:00

And although our winter so far has been relatively mild temperature wise and snow wise, I am still looking forward to spring.
Looking forward to hanging clothes on the line instead of paying astronomical hydro bills to keep my family in clean (and dry) clothes. Looking forward to colour to replace the drab brown and white. Looking forward to opening my windows and smelling my lilac tree in bloom!

I decided one day a few weeks ago to use one of my free square patterns to work on an afghan. This helped use up some of my skeins of blue and purple, and some off white yarn I had--although I did have to buy more of that for the border. The finished afghan turned out app. 48 x 64", I was quite happy with the way it looks. In person. I'm not overly happy with the way it looks in the photo! I will have to re-take, but trying to figure out how without recreating the overall 'purple' tint that I couldn't get rid of even in editing. (The wall is actually peach--not pink--peach!)
But, here it is. And I'm sure I would never get the over $200 that some would say to charge based on charging an hourly rate, so decided on a price of $125. (Clicking on the picture will take you to the listing)

On to the next project!

2010-02-09T06:10:00.000-08:00

But which project? The teddy bear in the wonderful ribbon yarn I purchased. The poor thing is laying there, I got as far as (almost) completing his head and set him aside for something else. Just can't remember exactly what, it *might* have been:
A granny square afghan using my Raspberry Medallion pattern (yay! I'll finally be able to post a picture again!) with shades of blues and purples for the round centre of each square and cream for a wide 'border'. Which got set aside after a few squares to work on:

And this I do remember! An order for an overseas customer for baby shower favours. 24 babies in blankets, and a special baby tiger in a blanket, since this year is the year of the tiger. I am so happy with the way the tiger worked out, I had to ask my customer if she would mind if I used her idea to create more baby tigers to offer them. The response was pretty much "It's the year of the tiger, you must!" And she thought the tiger was cute, btw:

The order was for 24 babies, 6 each of 4 different colours.

And the tiger, at right. After I started his head, someone in a crochet group passed on a link to a yarn company's pattern for a tiger. That tiger had vertical stripes on the head, and it looked like the head started at the muzzle, then simple colour changes for the orange and black. I think I prefer mine with the horizontal stripes and the 3-D muzzle, now to work on a pattern set for the babies, tiger, and a couple more baby animals!

BUT, that leads me back to my first question, WHICH PROJECT NEXT?

It just hit me....

2010-01-30T06:36:00.000-08:00

I think my months' long 'affair' with Card Services may have come to an end. I don't think I've gotten ANY calls from them this week. Either they don't love me anymore...or...dare I hope...they've been SHUT DOWN?
I think the last couple of calls did not go well.
The second last one that I picked up, was just before my last blog post about this affair.
The very last one, I picked up the phone, hit '0' as I usually do, turned the tv up loudly (but not too loudly--I'm not sure how this works, but I *think* the people that actually call work for another company hired by Card Services--I just want to get the point across that I'M NOT INTERESTED) and set the phone down. When my contract is up with my phone service provider, I am seriously considering switching, just for the ability to be able to BLOCK numbers. Geesh, what a service NOT to have. And while I'm at it, wouldn't it be nice to have a phone that could automatically detect robo-diallers from solicitors and re-route the call back to someone else's computer at the same centre?????

Ahhh, well, to get on with my card services free life (oooh, hopefully it remains so!).

I am currently working on 25 babies in blankets shower favours that will soon be shipped overseas. The request from the customer has me thinking about different babies now...
Working last night on the baby 'body', I was marking the rounds with a short piece of light blue yarn. When I return to that today, I think I'll change the blue yarn, because the blue showing against the peach coloured flesh and the white body spoke to me. Kind of like Harry Potter was the only one who could hear the basilisk, no one around me heard the yarn. The words were a little indistinct, but the meaning was clear: touch me, work with me, make something with me...

And now, to get some coffee going, and...time to make babies!

Destashing

2010-01-25T11:02:00.000-08:00

After procrastinating for some time, and running out of room to put the new boxes of yarns coming in--even though they are small boxes!--for projects I have to do, I have finally started listing some of the supplies I am not going to use on Etsy. So far, one lot of doll heads and about 6 listings for yarn and threads.
Some pics:

And another one, 100% cabled cotton:

And a few more. Click on the pictures to go to the listing in my shop. I'm hoping these find homes, especially at less than half the retail price!

Just an Update

2010-01-21T06:21:00.000-08:00

A few months ago, I took over as team leader for our Etsyhookers team--you really should check us out.
I've just updated our blog there with the first entries for our Creative Challenge #8, and looking forward to seeing what else my fellow team mates have come up with.

My relationship with Card Services seems to be long-lasting. After requesting several times to be removed (but they can't do it because it's in the 'system'--okay, find me someone WHO CAN!), and finally snapping and yelling at one woman (believe me it takes a LOT to make me yell) now instead of a weekly phone call or two, I'm getting more each week. Last one, I pressed '9' to talk to someone, set the phone down beside me while I typed and listened to the spiel about 'you have pressed 1 to lower your interest rates?' followed by a 'hello....hello...'. So THAT'S what I sound like when those idiotic PITA robo-diallers call me and there's no one there to follow through with the call.
Honestly, would it be kind of stupid for me in Canada to consolidate all my credit cards with an American company who has to resort to harrassing people for business??

I have been rejoicing in the return of my creative muse. Although hubby doesn't seem too happy. I think he was beginning to enjoy not having yarn staring at him wherever he turns in the house. (Okay, that is a slight exaggeration, although he might disagree) But, I'm happy. I now have three projects on the go, one of which I can't remember right now what it is....and have another one I'm about to start today for an order. Plus, an attempt at felting a basket I'd designed didn't yield the results I wanted, so I am planning on re-working it. Though that's not high on my priority list.

It's beginning to look lot like winter...

2010-01-11T17:54:00.000-08:00

Finally! A little late for Christmas, but the snow does look so nice on the ground. I'll just not think of how it will look when it melts and my dogs try and track dirty slush into the house.
I was working on some Valentine items, but got sidetracked by The Ruins, written by Scott Smith. I'm not one to get nightmares from reading--not even from Stephen King (but sshhhh, don't tell him that!)--but after only a couple of chapters I was so wrapped up in the atmosphere I actually had a nightmare. One of those ones that wake you fully up and make you want to stay awake until the memory of it fades. The funny thing is, I hadn't read a single 'scary' thing!

Anyway, I did finish this Rock People Valentine couple:

have the set listed in my Etsy shop (click on picture to see the listing) and am now working on a pair of pink fuzzy lips, which will hopefully soon join the couple.

They're Still Here...

2010-01-08T10:42:00.000-08:00

Aaaargh! After yet another call from that lovely voice telling me they've tried to reach me on several occasions to lower my interest rates and that this is my 'final chance' (geez, sound familiar? Seems they're calling weekly now with these final chances!)...I talked to 'George'.
He informed me that he *could* remove my name/number, but I might still get accidental calls, since it's in the system?!? But that if I press "2" instead of "1" to talk to someone, it will automatically remove my name.
Uh huh. I've heard differently.
http://honeypot.net/scam-calls-card-services

When I asked contact info, the guy couldn't give me much, except for 'Card Services'. He had no phone number. I informed him that in Canada, solicitors are required to be able to give me all that contact info. Also informed him that after a request to be removed, I should not get any calls from them.
Of course, since they're not in Canada, they're probably not all too concerned.

I have filed a complaint with the CRTC, not sure if anything will come of it, but in the meantime, I may just follow some of the advice to get rid of annoying solicitors.
**Please note, I am NOT rude to all solicitors--wasn't even rude to 'George'-- (don't regard this as an invite to call, however!), since I know a lot of the companies that do call are legit, and WILL remove me from their list when asked. And I do know that the solicitors are merely doing their job, so I do try to be polite (even told 'George' that it was nothing against him personally), unless they start to get pushy and rude first.
And calling me at least once a week to try to get my credit card number(s) after being asked not to does count as pushy.

Helping someone up off the ice is bullying?!

2010-01-05T13:32:00.000-08:00

First, the one local grade school has a VERY strict 'NBC--no body contact' (not to be confused with 'KPS--keep personal space').
Last night, my 12yo came home, a friend of hers had slipped on some ice, so 'A' and another friend were helping her up. A teacher saw this, and reminded them of the 'NBC' rule. Huh? So, the poor kid's supposed to slip and struggle to get up herself?
I wholeheartedly agree with no hitting, slapping, throwing snowballs, etc (although we grew up having snowball fights and turned out fine--I think!). But geesh, this is going just a bit too far. I worry that rules like this are going to turn our kids into cold-hearted individuals. Or that we're going to raise a society of what once would have been called 'tattletales', informing on the least offensive acts, and unable to cope for themselves.
I know of one girl who was suspended for 3 days because she touched another girl's earring. Not trying to hurt her, even.
With anti-bullying as well, the kids are taught at school that if another child wants to play with them and they say no...it's BULLYING. Huh? Kids don't always get along. To force someone to play with a kid that they don't really get along with is just plain mean (talk about bullying). My oldest had a teacher once that the day she started filling in for their regular teacher, had them write a piece about another student. With no need for talking: since they'd been going to school with the assigned student for 9 years, they should know all about them, including siblings, likes/dislikes...
Uh...not everyone gets along (gee, is there an echo?). To me, I'd just be happy that they're not beating the crap out of the other kid and not be worried that they don't know personal details.

I do agree that something has to be done about bullying, but wow, I do think they've gone too far when you can't lend a helping hand to someone who's fallen.

New Year, New Determination, Watch out One Specific Telemarketing company

2010-01-01T09:36:00.000-08:00

I swear, the 'Do Not Call' requests give you more calls.
I have one 'company' that calls every couple of weeks. Something about I'm paying too much interest on my credit card, and this is my FINAL notice to lower my rates. After hanging up on these automated messages I finally chose one time to actually talk to someone.
Me=Me, TS=Telephone Solicitor

Me: "So...which credit card company are you calling from?"
TS: "Oh, we're not a credit card company, we're actually a financial institution..."
Me: "Oh-ho! Then, take me off your list. You know, your automated announcement is VERY deceptive, btw."
TS: "Okay, we'll remove you from the list."

Few weeks later, another call...
TS: "You wish to lower your interest rates?"
Me: "No, I want you to remove my name from your calling list."
TS: "....." Uh, wait, there was nothing, they HUNG UP ON ME!!!! (How's that for customer service?!)

Several weeks (and calls) later:
TS: "You chose '(whatever number)' to lower your interest rates..."
Me: "Actually, no, I clicked '0' to talk to someone. I've requested before to be removed from the list. I've also had someone hang up on me when I requested to be removed from the list."
TS: "I'm sorry about that, I'll remove your name now"

Few weeks later:
My daughter answered. For those old enough to remember the briefly-lived 'Valley Girl' trend, she used one of those voices. Complete with 'Like' (and not bad, considering she's 14 and is blissfully ignorant of the 'Valley Girl')
She was hung up on.

So, my new determination.
Next time, and I am SURE there will be one, I will talk to a person, politely ask what company and their contact information (which by law here, they HAVE to give me), then ask to speak to a supervisor (and hope to get one and not get hung up on) to let them know I will be reporting their company. To the BBB as well as the CRTC, which may or may not result in them losing their phone lines. We can only hope.

Some interesting reading for those who are in Canada and ticked off about telemarketers--and even getting dead air when you answer the phone: apparently the CRTC has rules about that too!!! Though due to the large number of such calls that I receive, I think some of these telemarketing companies are fudging their books.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2009-11-21T20:39:00.000-08:00

But only in the stores. Christmas music playing, decorations up, gift and meal suggestions displayed...but it doesn't *feel* like Christmas. I need snow!

I'm working on some Christmas items as well as items for gifts, finished a couple of snowman gift bags:

And some soap socks, one of which I made in a more 'manly' colour, and it sold within a few hours of being listed on Etsy. So of course, I whipped up a couple more:

I have also been asked if I would like to donate something for a raffle at a fundraising dinner for Kittenaide. Kittenaide takes in stray cats and kittens and helps them find their 'forever home'. This is where our younger cat, Stormy chose us. I hope she hasn't regretted it; I know we certainly haven't! Since the cats and kittens are all vet checked and when possible neutered/spayed, the vet bill has gotten quite large (the vet is a wonderful animal lover). In an ideal world, there would be no need for organizations such as Kittenaide, because people would spay or neuter their own animals, but we're far from ideal.
I've decided to do snowmen toilet paper covers, and let the organizers decide whether to keep them together or separate them for their draw. I've also been told, I *must* include my business card. So I'm thinking I'd better hurry and design one!

A New Etsyhooker Challenge

2009-10-26T13:33:00.000-07:00

Okay, couldn't resist. I'd just listed my Grim Peeper (complete with binoculars--the better to 'peep' with!), was visiting the Etsyhookers site on Ning to chat a bit, and realized Peeper fit the qualifications for the newest challenge. Which ended about 5 hours later...
So, very last minute, I entered, and the voting is now open.
You do NOT need to register, simply click 'vote' and choose your favourite item made from recycled or reused items, there are some cute ones. Of course, I'm partial and kinda like my Grim Peeper, but I do love the snowman features.
To vote, just click on my Grim Peeper and he'll take you there!

So THIS time the truck driver's a good guy???

2009-09-25T08:44:00.001-07:00

A lot of people tend to look down on truck drivers, they drive badly, hog the road, cause accidents. Don't get me wrong, I know several truck drivers, all decent guys...and hey, I'm married to one.
Most drive carefully and responsibly, and by the way, that bad truck driver would be equally bad driving a car. Or a bicycle for that matter. He's just a bad driver period.
The other day my teenage daughter came home after having a scare crossing the street. She and some friends were crossing on a green light (walk signal up) and a truck wanted to turn in front of them, honking at them. Since they were halfway across, they didn't want to have to run back, but wound up having to run back fast when he continued anyway and they would have gotten hit by the trailer. Uh...don't they teach that pedestrians have the right of way?
The kids were all too shocked to get a name off the truck, and I was hoping that maybe some witness would see, note the name of the company and call to complain.
Turns out, someone did 'witness', but called the high school, complaining that students had crossed the street irresponsibly.
Why on earth, when so many people are over-eager to blame the truck driver, did he/she choose to side with the driver this time when the truck driver was at fault? Well, of course, his/her dislike of teenagers beat out dislike of truck drivers.
And of course, the principal took the witness' word as gospel and berated the students over the loudspeaker at school. I'm still tempted to call and complain myself. When my kids were smaller and said 'so and so hit me', although I believed them, I did NOT reprimand the other kid unless I saw it. Instead, I used a general 'we all know hitting is wrong, so nobody should be...'
I'm guessing the principal's not a parent. And maybe likes students a little less than he likes truck drivers.

School's back in, hurray!

2009-09-11T15:59:00.000-07:00

With one girl starting high school, our bank account was quickly depleted within a week. And only part of it was supplies and clothes.

First, $50 BEFORE she even started. Yearbook, activity fees.

Then, first day of school, she comes home with a request for $38 for a gym uniform. Plus $10 for science.

Then, the next day, she needed a few more dollars for another class, and it was picture day already, with payment due up front. That was about $40 total.

Hopefully, they're done milking us for at least a bit...gotta let the milk supply replenish.

I finished a Hallowe'en design, using buttons from buttonsbyrobin on Etsy--I loved her buttons as soon as I saw them. Pattern will be available in my pattern shop/on my website soon, and the finished set is available now.

Click on the picture to go to the listing on Etsy.

Okay, so it's the highlight of my week.

2009-08-30T15:38:00.000-07:00

I've finally 'made it'! I'm just about jumping off my chair, and hubby's trying to humour me, but doesn't fully understand my excitement. Sweet guy, humouring me anyway!
I had discovered earlier today that my Dismembered Digits pattern was selected for a Hallowe'en Preview Gift Guide on Etsy by Etsy admin. That made my day.
Now, after wondering why I had so many views on one item, I discovered that it was because the Dismembered Digits were featured on the front page of Etsy for a brief but glorious time! I've been selling on Etsy for a few years now, and this is the FIRST time I've ever hit the front page.
It is, I think, the highlight of a week that included having my car hit in the parking lot (with me in it) on my way to work...less than 30 seconds from a parking spot where I'd have been safe...and a night at work that started with me throwing up my hands and wanting to turn and run the other way.
That's me, bottom centre!

A Farewell

2009-08-14T04:42:00.000-07:00

I would like to talk about my grandmother today.
http://www.legacy.com/can-windsor/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=131353278
She was a wonderful grandmother, always stopping by to visit us and bringing fruit and Fig Newton cookies. Christmas was always a special occasion. Grandma worked at the Hilltop Restaurant in Ruthven nearby...long gone now with a bowling alley in its place. Christmas Eve, Grandma waitressed, and we would get in the car, drive to the Hilltop and wait for Grandma to finish work so she could come to our house and spend the night.
Christmas Day, we would wake up and head downstairs to the living room, be warned by our parents not to wake Grandma up, and hear Grandma's quiet voice say "It's all right, I'm awake", then rush into the living room.
Growing up, if you've read my blog before, at times was difficult, and there were a couple occasions when Grandma was there for me when I needed someone. One time in particular, I can't remember just what it was, but I remember calling Grandma from a payphone across town, crying, and she came for me.

Several months ago, it was suspected that Grandma had breast cancer. At 87, with her health not good, and a frail body, it was decided not to send her for a biopsy to be 100% certain. The biopsy would be too hard on Grandma, and if surgery was needed, she would never have survived it. It was also decided then to keep her as comfortable and pain free as they could.
I saw Grandma the day before she passed, belligerent as she was when the pain medication started to wear off. The fire in her eyes when she turned to me and said "I said NO" very adamantly will last for some time. The belligerence was easy to take, though.
It was the "I don't want to be like this", the quiet "I wish everyone would just let me go", which we took at the time to mean she didn't want to be fussed over, but afterward...well I guess sometimes you look for deeper meanings. When I leaned over to kiss her before leaving, she whispered to me "You're so good", I think those are the last words I heard Grandma say.

Wednesday morning, I had just stepped out of the shower and was only half dry, planning to visit Grandma once again when The Phone Call came. I tied wet hair back in a pony tail, dressed quickly, and was there in minutes. Grandma was visibly unresponsive, but occasionally, a slight frown between her eyes, a movement of her mouth, even feeling her finger twitch while I held her hand, I am sure she was aware that we were all there.
My aunts, my mother and I were all surrounding her as she went at last where she'd been asking to go for some time: home.
I love you, Grandma.

Something old...

2009-07-24T13:22:00.001-07:00

Well, not really old. A picture of my daughter when she was 2, sketched from a photo around the same time.

Behind again. My take on the new HP movie

2009-07-23T04:44:00.001-07:00

Seems to be the story of my life the last few months. Behind on blogging, behind on updating my site, behind on designing...
Unfortunately, with the automotive industry (which hubby's work is based in) the way it is, I've had to accept the fact that in order to keep the bill collectors from hounding us, and to help keep the roof over our heads, I've had to accept more hours at work. I struggled for a few months, being late with my new designs each month, but thought I could do it. Then, my 11yo said to me "Mom, I understand why you're not spending as much time with us. You have to earn money." Darn. Thought I was impervious to the ol' guilt trip. But I guess when it comes to my kids...I'm not.
So, something had to go. I am backing off on my 4 patterns/month commitment, at least for now. I will still design, but not as many patterns. I've re-imbursed remaining members for the remainder of their year, and wow, what a feeling easing that pressure. I've also wanted to work some of my older designs, just for fun, and to get back into drawing and maybe eventually painting, but with the commitments I had, there was just no time. Now there is. Hopefully.
However, I'm working full-time hours at work possibly the next few weeks, and a full time position is being posted, and I may apply for that.

With less pressure, I enjoyed a 'mother daughter' afternoon with my 14yo yesterday. We went to see Harry Potter, the Half Blood Prince. After the last few movies, I was prepared to be disappointed. You know, the usual, we have to cut this part from the book out, not enough time, but let's add this useless crap in just for fun...
And I was not disappointed in being disappointed.
Gone (again) is Dobby. No mention of Kreacher...the invisibility cloak which was supposed to remain on Harry's person throughout the movie from the time Dumbledore picks him up at the Dursley residence (not outside a diner where Harry was flirting with a muggle) only makes one appearance in a slightly messed up scene.
The battle at the end of the book I knew did not make it to the screen, something about being 'too much' with the final battle coming at the end of the last movie. Uh, funny, it wasn't 'too much' in the books. So, instead of that battle, let's toss in a pointless one earlier on where nothing was supposed to happen. Destroying a residence which is *supposed* to be the scene of a wedding in just a few months (their time--not ours). And which remained intact throughout the book series.
It was well-done, though, despite the extras and ommissions, and I was so glad to see that Emma Watson seems to have relaxed a little in her acting and doesn't seem so forced. Every time I watch Order of the Phoenix, I cringe when Hermione's voice is so angry when discussing with Harry that the Ministry should not punish him for conjuring a Patronus. I had always pictured her anxious and speaking quickly, but not angry, with pauses between phrases and words.
There's so much I could bring up that I was not happy with regarding to scene changes, character ommissions--I'm still trying to figure out if they're even going to have Dobby in the last movie. We haven't really gotten to know him, so *if* what happens to him next happens, how are we supposed to feel empathy???
Hopefully, the next two movies (if they still plan on breaking up the last book into 2 so they don't leave anything out--maybe they'll even add some missing things from HBP) Emma's acting continues as it was in this one.
So, yet again, mixed feelings on the movie, and I will still buy it, heck, have to complete the collection, I can't just have the first 5 movies.

I will NOT continue to play!

2009-06-19T07:44:00.001-07:00

I may have stated before that I don't have anything to do with my mother. I stopped talking to her a few years ago, then got a phone call a year later with her crying about money, not knowing what to do...dad in the background sounded exasperated saying "No, everything's just fine", which it was. My mother just wanted a foot in the door, so to speak. She then went on to invite us over, even my husband, who she had greatly insulted (which was one reason I stopped talking to her).
Stupid me, I was honest. She wound up insulting my husband again, and hanging up before I could say anything either in defense or about her. My mother's way. Dial, insult, hangup. No listening involved on her end.

Another year, she called out of the blue, and although the message she left has been erased (Thanks, Cogeco for not having that option of saving it over and over like Bell has), the words are pretty much like this, with emphasis on words she emphasized:
"Well, I'm SORRY if Hunter [my nephew that they were raising after my sister died] got too close to Delainey [my daughter] and she's a TATTLETALE But, I've talked to adults at the school, and they say...they're CRYBABIES. So, YOU'RE not a perfect mother either."
Well, I'd be upset at the last part if I ever, ever thought I was a perfect mother. I just raise my kids, and hope I'm raising them so they make good choices later in life. It was the first two that got me. You do NOT mess with my kids. Even if you're supposed to be their grandmother.

Fast forward to last night. Delainey graduates grade school tonight, and really wanted her grandfather there. Not her grandmother, because D heard that lovely message, left just because my mother was in a snarky mood and wanted someone else to be miserable too.
I told dad that Delainey had one ticket, and she would really like him to go. It would mean a lot to her. (And hey, it took a LOT of courage for me to call him on his cell, I was afraid it would lead to more)
My father said he'd see what he could do. Then called right back and questioned the 'one ticket' saying my mother had planned on going. Aaaargh, it DID lead to more.
Stupid me, I was HONEST. I said I was sure he understood why Delainey didn't want her grandmother there, after all, that phone call.
Well, that phone call was NOT my mother insulting her grandkids, she was just saying what kids at the school said. (Insert scream and hair pulling here) She said ADULTS. And the tone of her voice, and especially the first part...SHE was insulting. Not passing on what she'd heard.
I said, I stepped away from this, I was tired of playing the head games. Being treated like dirt because I had my own opinion that differed from my mother's (heck, once it was the same opinion, and she STILL shunned me), then treated like nothing happened.
Apparently, I was never treated like dirt. And an incident that happened when Mike and I were the only adults here happened in front of EVERYONE.
And after we said good bye, and I hung up. I realized, I almost played the one headgame I hadn't realized I'd been playing all along.
The one where you start to wonder if maybe *I* am wrong, that I am over-reacting. Then I shook my head, mentally planted my feet firmly, and decided I will not play that game either.

I have to say, this goes back years and years. I have nothing against kids doing housework, but when they do most of it, and the mother sits on the couch watching soaps and reading Harlequins all day, or nursing a headache while she makes YOU go buy her cigarettes and pop when you're home sick with a headache ("The fresh air is good for you"), or waking your kids up at midnight to scrub a pan that you left to soak overnight because it'd gotten food burnt on, or to clean up a living room that had nothing out of place...or waking your kids up at midnight to find a stupid Archie comic book you'd misplaced....
NO, NO, NO. I will not do that to mine.
(Dad's story is that mom was the one who did the cleaning at midnight, NOT us--and I know there were times when he told us to go back to bed and HE did it)

I will also not make my kids clean MY bedroom. I remember one time cleaning my mother's room and knocking over her garbage can. Key words, bedroom, hers, and garbage can. I almost threw up at the sight of all the maggots crawling around on the floor. When I called out to my mother, well, it was my fault the maggots were in there. If I'd cleaned like I was supposed to...

My mother got migraines, and for years and years took Fiorinal ( sp?--highly addictive). There were times she was so doped up she could barely sit up to smoke her cigarette, and the ash grew and grew until it fell onto the coffee table she was leaning on to write out the 50 states in alphabetical order. There were times she'd threaten to walk out on us. I remember being about 11, leaning against the door and crying. After a few times, I stopped trying to stop her and just wished she would leave.

Not a word of this is a lie, or an exaggeration. And a lot has been left out. Yes, there were good times, but they quickly faded. There were too many bad memories pushing them to the back of my mind.
I keep hoping my dad would come to his senses, but now I know, he's starting to either believe her lies, or just go along with them because it's easier. As they say, there are none so blind as those who will not see.

So now, Delainey has been hurt not only by her grandmother, but now by her grandfather who can't see what my mother is doing, and refuses to come to Delainey's grad because my mother's not invited. I still feel like I'm doing the right thing, Delainey didn't want my mother there anyway. Really, would you?

If anyone reads this to the end, and would like to say a few words of congratulations to Delainey on her graduating, please leave a comment, and I will pass it on to her.

An Afghan...with Sleeves??

2009-05-17T04:42:00.000-07:00

Okay, I've seen the Snuggies commercial. Basically a blanket with sleeves. Drawback? Uh, really, am I to believe that person you show outside cheering at a game, claiming that the Snuggie keeps her warm...I'm thinking her arms may have been, and the fronts of her legs...probably the front of her torso...but what about her BACK?
When I'm outside, I wrap up from the BACK forward. If my back's cold, it doesn't matter how warm the front of me is, I'M cold. Warm the back...I think you get it.
And due to the popularity of these, I see a couple of crochet patterns for Afghans with Sleeves. That's high up on my Not to Crochet List, along with those retro potholders with the nightmare-inducing plastic faces and toilet roll covers that LOOK like toilet roll covers.
Just give me a sweater for Pete's sake. Not only will my back be warm, but I won't trip over the edge when I have to get up in a hurry.

If you have a Snuggie, do you love it, hate it or just have lukewarm feelings about it? Did you buy it, use it once and it's sitting in your closet keeping a shelf warm? I'm curious, share your story!
Comments are moderated: SPAM is not tolerated (not even a lukewarm feeling) so will be deleted, foul language (this is a family-friendly blog) will either be edited or the message completely deleted if it has no bearing on the subject.
Opinions will not be altered, though, or hidden, as long as they're clean!

Oooh, baby...

2009-02-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

No, I'm not expecting...and honestly don't know anyone who is! The idea for the baby shower favours hit me, believe it or not, while I was laying in bed with a migraine. That's usually not the time ideas hit. The baby in basket hit me while I was working on the babies in the blankets, one of those lightning bolt ideas I've mentioned before. Pattern will be available soon!

Also coming soon, a new thread Teddy Bear. I kind of like this one, made 3 now, 1 of which is on its way to a new home (the one shown), two of which are waiting for some kind of adornment.

Okay, I said...

2009-02-12T10:36:00.000-08:00

In my last post that I'd come back with a rant or a rave...well, my thread got here today. Shipping was a little more than quoted (and I do mean little, less than $2 more)...and I *think* it was disguised as a craft book...I was billed for an LA book, didn't order or receive one, and I saw no shipping charge. I'm sure I will buy from them again.
So, now I have thread to make...I'm not sure just how many thread teddy bears! Here's my latest style:

He sits 3" tall, and was such fun to make! I didn't even mind embroidering his nose, which I don't normally like. The pattern for this guy will be available March 5th.

A virtual running around

2009-02-09T11:35:00.000-08:00

Actually, it did start as a physical running around. I had a custom order and need a specific colour of crochet thread. Now, I do have that shade in my attic, but the pull-down stairs broke and we haven't been able to afford to fix them, what with hubby Mike off work for a month and a half. We have brought a ladder in, but with all the snow and slush outside, there's no way I want that tracked through my house.
So, what to do? Buy NEW!
Mike had to do a Leamington run with the girls to buy a birthday gift for one of their friends, and I showed him how the thread was packaged, and told him I needed light purple.
Nope, no light purple in Leamington.
So, no problem...there's MICHAELS! Saturday, after working the midnight shift and napping for 3 hours, we drove up, and the selection was pitiful. Hardly any thread, and not one spool of the colour I needed. As for yarn that I was looking for, they had about 6 shades of Patons Canadiana. There was a big sign advising that there was a new yarn department coming in the spring, so I'll not be too critical yet. Just disappointed.

We got home and I immediately jumped online to explain to my buyer there'd be a delay, if she wanted to cancel, I'd understand. Fortunately, she is not in a hurry and will wait for a few days longer than stated.
A virtual trip to Peaches & Creme yielded a 5 lb $25 cart, with shipping of a hair under $30. They *have* to ship priority unless they put it in an envelope. Well, duh, I feel like contacting them and saying put it in a d***ed envelope, I want YARN!
Okay, no Peaches & Creme. Shipping like that eats up my profit. More like inhales it...
Next, a virtual trip to Herrschners. Sure, they have what I need listed, but shipping is iffy. If the Canadian warehouse is out of stock, they have to wait for an order from the States. This happened to me once, it took TWO MONTHS. They do caution it could take that long, and boy do they mean it.
Okay, no Herrschners. My patient buyer could not possibly be that patient. Heck, I'm not that patient.
Then, a virtual trip to Mary Maxim. Shipping is a little high, but pretty much on par with similar online retailers that charge $x per $y ordered instead of by weight. But I'd be okay with it, after all, it's not Peaches & Creme high. Their crochet thread selection was slightly less pitiful than Michaels. Where on earth was the Southmaid? I was sure they'd sold it before...
So, no Mary Maxim. I mean, they didn't have what I needed!

I progressed to searching and found Wool-Tyme, which is located in Ottawa, probably a 3 day shipment away. They didn't have Southmaid cotton, but do have Clea, which I've used and do like, unless it's for something requiring stiffening. Teddy Bears do not. I held back on ordering for the first time, only ordered two balls of cotton thread, and it was just under $7 to ship the two, and from my experience, yes, it will cost that to ship.
So...YES to Wool-Tyme. I received an email today that my items are in stock and will be shipped today. If the shipping is good and I'm happy, I can see me returning to Wool-Tyme.
I'll have to post once I receive to rave or rant (though I have a feeling it will be a rave!) when I can say how their customer service is.

I warned him!

2009-01-26T09:10:00.000-08:00

Last week, after having this feeling for almost 2 weeks, I told my husband about this overwhelming feeling that I was going to be in the car and be hit. I wasn't sure if I was alone, or if I was even driving, but I was sure that it would NOT be the fault of the driver of the car I was in...and it wouldn't be serious. I told my sister this, too.
Saturday, after shopping at a mall in Windsor, as we were waiting at the exit for the light to change to green, WHAM. We were hit from behind. The sound made it seem so much worse, but the damage is just to the bumper. The poor young girl driving was so upset, she'd just gotten her licence, the sun was (yes, it really was! in ours too) in her eyes and she didn't see us in time. I don't think there was much damage to her mini van, but the bumper on our little Ford Escort is cracked and knocked a little out of place.
She didn't want to go through insurance, said her father was a doctor and maybe we could work something out. We met her father, he seemed honest and did offer to pay for the damages.
Now, before I hear 'Ooooh, bad idea...' we did think this through. Especially after knowing a few people who have been told "Oh, I'll just pay the damages" and then never come through. We do have a week to report this, my husband just took the car in to the garage the girl's father recommended (he gets his own cars worked on there) and the estimate isn't much at all.

I did get to thinking, though, yes, there's got to be trust on our end. But how about the other side? Is the good doctor sitting at home wondering if we're the type to sue for trumped up injuries? Honestly, we're not the sue-over-every-little-thing kind of people. I do not miss work unless necessary, and will not fake an injury to do so. And especially would not fake an injury to sue someone. *If* the accident had been serious, and I was forced to miss work, well, yes, damages and loss of wages would be sought.
But, two days later, not even a bit of soreness. Like I said, the noise made it seem a lot worse than it was!

Afterward, I mentioned to hubby 'Didn't I tell you?' and his reply was something like "Psychics predict vague things, and if something remotely like it happens, they claim credit."
I'm sorry, but I was pretty sure my feeling was not 'vague'. Sure, I didn't know when or where, or even who was driving (hubby was, btw), but hey, I was right about being hit, and about it not being serious wasn't I?

A cold January

2009-01-16T06:32:00.001-08:00

It's one cold January, we have had colder, but it's been awhile.
Yesterday, my poor little Escort (stick shift) started easily enough, but then just didn't want to shift gears. This morning, my Focus wouldn't start at all (I didn't want to either, but hey, the bus drove past my daughter who was out there freezing), the Escort did...and really, really didn't want to shift. I needed two hands to get into reverse, then had to keep trying to get into 2nd and NOT 4th.
I'm not complaining, though, it could be worse. And spring is only 2 months away, and milder temps usually come a little sooner than the official launch.

How many have gotten one of those emails 'My client has left you 12 point whatever million dollars'? If they were all true, I swear I'd have all the world's money by now. Most of us are savvy enough not to fall for them, and I think the few that are gullible enough to believe would clue in after having to pay a few thousand dollars for receiving something that is allegedly theirs in the first place.
Not one man. One Leamington, Ontario man fell for it, and for over a year, spent thousands here and there in the hopes of getting his 12 point whatever from some utter stranger. Strange thing is, he claims the 'lawyer' MET with him in England. Behind a hotel, so of course, sneaking around behind a hotel instead of meeting in a law office made it legit.
My husband is sure the guy wasn't scammed, but scammed friends and family himself and is just using this as a cover story. As one comment pointed out, the people who send these emails out do NOT meet with you, they'd be too afraid it was a trap.
I wonder if, after a few months of investigation, if this is what will be discovered. Part of me is hoping hubby's right, otherwise, even the man's friends and family are (pardon me) kind of idiots. I mean, tell me, not ONE said 'No way, dude, clue in, it's a scam.'?
The other part of me is hoping hubby's wrong, cause, well, then I'll hear, "Wasn't I right? Huh, huh?" for some time to come.
Link to an article (btw, the video I watched of this man didn't show me someone who was devastated that he'd been tricked into losing $150,000 of his/his friends', his family's money):
read here.

It's a New Year!

2009-01-04T06:17:00.000-08:00

And after being unable to keep my eyes open past 9:30 (waking up early to go to work!!), I was able to welcome the new year Wednesday night.

Not that I made it a resolution (I always break those!), but I am trying to update my blog more often. And feature more of my fellow Etsians.

Please note: these pictures are copyrighted and are used here with permission from DesignsByWho. Do NOT copy and use them elsewhere without contacting her for permission.

First of which is DesignsByWho. A wonderful seller, and beautiful work in polymer clay!
I contacted Dee about some flat backed beads she'd made. Could she possibly make these without holes, as I was interested in post earrings? Not only did she make these for me, she ordered earring posts and completed the earrings, saving me looking for the parts and figuring out what glue to use! And I am so happy with them, they're adorable:
And after purchasing my special listing, I found an equally cute pair of Santa earrings that I just had to have. If you like these earrings, click on the pic, there is a similar pair in blue available--if it's sold when you check it out, try contacting Dee for a special order.

With Christmas behind us, DesignsByWho has some spring and Easter themed treasures already listed, click on the pictures to see the listing, and don't forget to check out the rest of her shop!

Touching base...

2008-12-28T03:38:00.000-08:00

What with more hours at work, a few pre-Christmas orders (plus one for early January I'm working on), Christmas preparation...I've had little time for computer. Instead of begging for 'just a few minutes' when my girls and I both want the computer, I've been gladly stepping aside otherwise I wouldn't be getting things done!

And the extra hours at work ARE coming in handy now. With Chryslers off for 5-6 weeks, my husband who works at a company that supplies them is off for about 5 weeks, without the 80% of his wages that Chrysler employees are getting. It'll be tough, but we'll be okay. Isn't the saying: "At least we have each other!"? Hopefully we don't get too much of the 'each other'!

I've recently become addicted to another technique: felting. I'd bought two skeins of wool yarn before Christmas and quickly used them up making small candy bowls, a tealight holder (for battery-operated tealights ONLY), and a shallow candy dish. And have to have more! This did not escape hubby's notice, who commented that I'd soon be shrinking our kids.
"Only if they're made of 100% wool..." I replied calmly.

Christmas Special

2008-11-30T08:08:00.001-08:00

There's still time to whip things up for Christmas! For a limited time, I'm offering a set of 8 crochet patterns for more than 30% off their regular price (one pattern is not shown--my Snow Family Ornaments).
Separately, they sell for over $14, the set is on sale for only $9 until December 5th, so hurry to get them while the price is low!

Where is your chocolate from??

2008-11-02T04:42:00.001-08:00

With the recent food scare involving tainted milk product in China (now there are eggs in China that contain melamine), what scares me is that the Canadian government allows manufacturers to simply state 'imported by...' on their packaging.
So, the chocolate covered peanuts that I purchased a week ago that were 'imported by ******** of Canada' could have been made as close as the US, or maybe in...China??? I know there are law-abiding companies there, but lately, it's the ones that want to make $$ by faking protein content (adding melamine to fool the tester) so that they can water down the product.
I work in a produce department, and there are sign police that come around to check signage. Sign police, you scoff. But it is true. To date, I haven't seen the actual 'sign police', but more their advance scouts, the ones that warn the higher ups if there is cause for alarm. What happens? The store could get a fine if their signs do NOT state country of origin, or if the sign incorrectly states country of origin. So if that apple sign says Canada and they're US, it could cost us.

But what about that chocolate company? And other food manufacturers? It's not just pesticide usage we worry about now, but ingredients in processed food.

Here is a comment I just sent to the chocolate company who imported those chocolate covered peanuts:
"I recently purchased a box of Glosette chocolate covered peanuts, believing I was purchasing a product made in Canada. After eating, I happened to look at the box and was dismayed to see not a 'made in Canada', but an 'imported by...' note.
With all the recent food scares, I couldn't believe that I now had NO idea where the product was made.

What I do not understand is why produce is required to have a country of origin, or the grocery store gets a hefty fine. Why on earth are products created with multiple ingredients allowed to get by with simply 'imported by'?
I thought I read that the Canadian government was going to change this, and it would be nice to see food manufacturers adding 'made in...' or 'country of origin' to their packaging even before this became mandatory. I think customers would greatly appreciate this.
I thank you for your time. "

I am curious to see what their response would be.

Now, as a consumer, would you prefer manufacturers wait for legislation forcing them to add this pertinent information, or would you be impressed that the food manufacturer cared enough about their customers to jump the gun and add this before it's mandatory?

Just testing

2008-10-29T16:59:00.000-07:00

Testing out inserting a paypal button. It also works without going to Edit Html

First steps...

2008-10-01T10:05:00.001-07:00

I've been thinking and planning a business in my head for a few years now. Hem-ing and haw-ing about starting, nervous about taking that first step toward my brick and mortar yarn shop--which would have an internet counterpart!
Last night, after talking to a woman after our school council meeting, I decided I had nothing to lose (at this stage!) checking into it. Worse case scenario: nothing happens. Best case: I open the door to my shop each morning to open up!
I have taken one baby step: I've talked to someone who can help me with setting up.
And another baby step: I've contacted a few yarn companies to inquire about wholesale terms.

One of the harder steps (the phrase "Watch out, that first step's a doozie!" comes to mind) to me will be NAMING my store. Another one will be telling my husband. And when. Now, in the planning stages so he can quickly kill the little sprout with "we can't afford it" or "I could be laid off"...after I manage to procure a small business loan...or after the shop's doors are officially open.

Now, apart from naming it (hey, if you have any suggestions, I'm open at present!), thoughts of what to stock besides yarns run through my head.
Buttons, beads, hooks and needles, patterns...all pretty basic.

What would YOU like to see in a local yarn store? Feel free to comment with suggestions.

Etsy Rocks! Featured Seller

2008-09-25T05:33:00.000-07:00

Anymore, I tend to spend more time on Etsy, less time in my other online groups. Hanging out in the forums, occasionally adding my 3 cents worth to discussions, and mostly checking out what other crafters are selling.

Now and then, I'm going to feature an Etsy seller here with my top 3 picks from their shop. Either one I've purchased from, or one whose work catches my eye and I just have to share them.

wearmycolors

My first artisan is a fairly new shop from Portugal that offers fun and unique gifts for everyone.
It was hard to choose just a few pictures to put in here!

First, at left, Brown Yourself With Red Bracelet. Beautiful wood beads accented with two crocheted red beads, perfect to wear with blue jeans, or even with a dress.

Circle Yourself Bracelet. The colours of these polymer beads are so fun and bright, they almost look good enough to eat.

Lastly, I love this one for its upcycling! To take something that would have gone to the landfill and turn it into something useful to give it a brand new life...awesome! I especially love how it buttons!!

Check out wearmycolors to see their other unique items, too, they do ship worldwide!

When shopping on Etsy, be sure to check out each store's policies regarding shipping and custom orders. If you're new to Etsy and having difficulty with the checkout process, don't hesitate to convo the seller, we're very happy to help out a newbie!

So I have a slightly twisted sense of humour.

2008-09-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

Just slightly, mind you! When Etsyhookers Team on Etsy started a challenge for strange hats, I discussed this with my 10yo while waiting (for 45 minutes AFTER our appointment time) at the hair dresser's. I told her 'no holds barred!', and she came up with a runny nose idea. Imagine, talking snot while people are trying to improve their appearance!
Anyway, from the runny nose came the Snot-Nosed Goblin. I must admit, Allie's disappointed, it doesn't look like the picture she had in her head. It was kinda hard for me to see that...so I had to go with the one in my head. Fortunately, the finished item looks a lot like the one in my head!

The hat is now for sale in one Etsy shop...the pattern in the other.

The hats submitted for the challenge are all in, and voting is now taking place. If you'd like to see all the hats created for this, and vote, you can pop in here: Etsyhookers Blog.

My hat (like I said, pattern is available for sale in my Etsy store and on my website):

And that little bit of light green....that's the snot drip!!

That's one big lobster! followed by...That's one big toy!

2008-07-21T09:41:00.000-07:00

Bubba the lobster caught my attention while I was scanning news headlines. A 22 lb lobster who is believed to be 100 years old.
Story can be found here. I'd give you a link to a Yahoo news story, but lately, most of the links end in an error page.
My opinion on Bubba? To the people who wanted to buy him for up to $3,500...wow. Yes, it's a big lobster, and yes, people love lobster...but the thing has lived 100 years, he doesn't deserve to end up in a pot.
And to the animal right's activist who wanted to buy him to set him free, where was she when all the other lobsters were sold for food? That aside, setting him free would have been a nice idea, but I really don't think the woman thought it through. With people knowing there was a gi-normous lobster out there, the poor guy would be hunted. He'd be on the hit list of every lobster-loving, bib-wearing fanatic out there...and on most fishermen's list who would dream of the thousands someone would pay for Bubba's capture.

Speaking of big things, can you imagine approaching one of those toy machines where you (try to) scoop up a stuffed animal for a small price and finding a toy the size of a 3yo? Oh, hold on...it IS a 3yo!! Story, btw is here,(video) with prior attempts at becoming a living doll here. and here. Oh, and here. Guess it's more common than I thought!

Anyway, with the newest incident, after the child was retrieved from the machine (without aid of the claw, I hope), store owners opened the machine up and allowed the girl to choose a toy for herself and her sister. I wholeheartedly agree with the reporter's comment about rewarding bad behaviour.

Rainbow Challenge

2008-07-08T06:49:00.000-07:00

What fun, a challenge! I'd recently joined the Etsy Hookers team at (of course) Etsy. Friendly lot of crocheters, and it's so nice to be part of a team.
This challenge: to create something using 5 of the 7 colours of the rainbow. To see the entries (voting starts July 9th) visit here.
My entry, and she was such fun to make:Felicia, from Latin meaning happiness.
I had someone ask where I'd gotten the African American head/hands sets because she couldn't find them anywhere. Know what? I checked the places I knew of online, and couldn't find any either. Other heads/hands in various yarn hair colours, but no African American.
If you know of any sources, drop me a line and let me know, and if the other crocheter is still looking I can pass it on.

Aaaargh to Telephone Spam

2008-07-08T06:39:00.000-07:00

Not so much the solicitors, I do try to be polite when I tell them NO because I know they're just trying to earn a wage. Of course, once they start to get pushy, it's no holds barred!
Last night, after NUMEROUS messages on my machine from a sickeningly cheerful voice telling me to push '1' to lower my credit card's interest rates...I actually took this call and pushed 1.
A very heavily accented voice answered. Now, I'm good with accents, normally don't have a problem, but this was HEAVY.
Before he could get started, I asked him which credit card he was calling about.
"Oh, no, we're not a credit card. We're a financial institution telling you how to lower your interest rates on your Visa and Mastercard."
"Okay, so wait...you are NOT my Visa or my Mastercard?" (Says I knowing full well the answer)
"No, we're a financial institution..."
"Just take me off your list!" And I hung up.
The nerve of these companies calling, making you think they are calling from YOUR credit card company to sell their services. Gee, phone spam!

I don't do surveys by phone either. That one after being suckered in.
She: "If you could please help us with a survey..." (yes, it was a legitimate one)
Me: "Well, okay, as long as it's not a long one."
"Oh, no, it'll just take a couple of minutes."
Half an hour later, my baby was getting fussy. I interrupted and said "Look, I have to go, I have a hungry baby here."
"Can we call you back to finish?"
"Sure..." thinking they're not gonna call.
They DID call. I told them outright I was NOT going to finish it. After being told it would just take a couple of minutes and answering questions for HALF AN HOUR, then finding out I'd have to spend MORE time...forget it. For such a lengthy survey, I told them, they should mail it out (this was several years ago, before computers and especially email were so widespread)
I've learned my lesson. NO phone surveys.

trying to go a little greener

2008-06-13T06:49:00.001-07:00

And although my garden is certainly green, the weeds have taken over, I swear the bags of dirt we bought were bags of instant weed garden, that`s not quite what I mean.
First, reducing our electricity usage drastically. We no longer watch as much tv. I`ve used the dryer for about a total of 1 hour in the last week, instead of about 7 or 8 (loads never take just an hour to dry!).

And, after seeing sellers on Etsy selling reusable produce bags, I thought I would make some for me. I will not be selling these bags on Etsy, as there are already several sellers there...check them out if you`re looking to buy! I figure if I use them, I`ll have cards ready for people who notice and ask where on earth I bought them.

Just think of how many plastic produce bags you use a week: a few potatos, one bag. A few apples, another. Lettuce, another. Grapes, another. Peppers, another...and on and on. The more fruits and veggies, the more bags. And where do they go...the dump. Multiply one week by 52...wow. And multiply that by (insert number choice here) people shopping...double wow.
Then, think of how many bags that would NOT go in the dump.

Some countries have already outlawed these bags. They blow around, clog the sewer drains, water backs up, stagnates...you get the picture.

So, I`m kinda excited about these bags. And hey, if a few people ask me to make some, my sewing machine really did enjoy getting a bit of a work out yesterday so I`m sure it will enjoy more. Not to mention a little extra cash would be nice.

Ontario Energy Savings...NOT

2008-06-04T06:55:00.000-07:00

I used to pride myself that I wouldn't just sign anything. Then, I proved myself wrong.
Last year, a rep from Ontario Energy Savings came door to door, offering us a price protection plan. Rates were going to skyrocket, and this would protect us from a drastic rise for 5 years.
(Why oh WHY didn't alarm bells go off??)
How could they give their customers such a good price? Because they purchased blocks of hydro (or whatever the term was) from the original supplier at a good price.
GEESH. If they'd paid FULL price, they'd still be making a big profit. My local ELK is roughly 4.5 cents per kw hour. I'm paying about 8.5. DOUBLE.
At first, I thought my bills were higher because: it was summer, we had the air on (although I tried not to use it much) and the pool filter on. Then, it was fall, we had the lights on earlier now, the heat was on...after Christmas after struggling to keep up with the hydro bills, I just about fell over when one month was $200. For ONE FLOOR and an unfinished basement. Lights are always off in rooms not used.
We tried to cut back. STILL the bills were high, and we're still struggling.
Last month, I rarely used our clothes dryer. Lights were not on during the day, curtains were opened instead. $160.
The only way out is to cancel, which would cost me a few thousand dollars for 'their' damages.

How about MY damages? To heck with worrying about the price of gas for our cars, we can afford that! We just can't afford to keep cool at all this summer. Fans will rarely run, we won't be setting up our pool cause we can't afford to pay the hydro bill.
If we do get disconnected for failing to keep up, there is the reconnection fee. WITH THE SAME SUPPLIER. So, we can't win.

A couple weeks ago, a rep from OES came around to ensure we were still signed up. I wasn't going to bother going to get my bill. They should KNOW I'm still with them. I told her that unfortunately, I was, but that I'm warning people to stay away, I'm paying almost double the hydro I used to pay. She had the nerve to tell me that later this year, (made it sound like this was all hush-hush) rates were going up over 9 cents per kw hour.
I talked to the Ontario Energy Board who are THE ones who set the rate. THEY don't even know what the rate will be, so how could this rep know?? Answer, she doesn't. She's trying to make me feel better about being a sucker.

So, word of warning, anyone comes asking to see your bill to ensure you're getting the best rate, chances are, they can't give it to you. Learn from my very expensive lesson.

**I checked the date on my bill. And went to the trouble of reading my meter (okay, so it's really no trouble). Since their estimate on May 3rd, we've only 'used' under 400 kw hours. Still, makes me cry to think how much smaller my bill would have been if I hadn't tried to save money.

Neon meets watermelon meets checkerboard

2008-06-03T08:30:00.001-07:00

View my page on EtsyHookers

At a request from someone on Etsy, I designed a pair of checkerboard slippers. Now, this is my rough draft, and I used a couple of colours I had handy (as opposed to going to the basement and browsing through my tubs) which just happened to be bright green (you may recognize from my Lion Allieghan--pattern available soon--I'm selling on Etsy. The pink...I really can't remember where that came from! The colours together kinda make me want to break out my sunglasses.
I designed these so that they are wider at the toe end of the foot than at the heel. I have yet to meet someone whose heel is the widest point of their foot!

This pattern will be available in my CrochetSal's store at Etsy, and also on my site, June 5th, along with a stuffed scorpion, the afore-mentioned Lion Allieghan and a tote. Pictures show bottom of slipper (left) and top of slipper (right).

My first Allieghan

2008-05-23T15:22:00.001-07:00

Scratch that, our first Allieghan. My 10yo loves making graphics on the computer (see Mother's Day post for one), and a few months ago, she did an adorable lion. I thought it would make a great note card, or even a cute afghan! Truthfully, the card would have been easier. No twisting of yarns in the back=no pulling out my hair when I had to cut and untangle and start 'fresh'.

Allie is quite happy, she will be getting a part of all pattern sales.
Next up is the turtle she drew, or I might try and do other animals based on her style...or better yet, ask her to do the animals. She draws, I tweak and crochet.
The afghan is worked in sc from a coloured chart. You must know how to do colour changes, although basic colour change instructions are given. App. size using worsted weight yarn and a 5mm (H) hook is 36 x 32". The pattern will be available June 5th at its regular price of $3.95, but is available for pre-order for $2.95 until then. Pattern will be sent June 5th when it is available as a PDF attachment in an email to the address provided by paypal. If you would like it sent to a different address, please state this in 'notes'.
To pre-order at this special price, just click on the paypal button:

Bells and Whistles

2008-05-20T14:59:00.000-07:00

Well, more like rings and whistles.

The ring. I have a cell phone. I use it only when I go out, and my daughter uses it when she goes out so if she needs us, she can reach us. 50 cents for a payphone is ridiculous. This afternoon, my cell rings. Strange, cause my daughter and all her friends are in school. No one I know has my number, other than my husband (and of course my daughters) and he knows I'm at home.
I answer:
Hello.
Him: Yes, could I speak to Holly please. (We've gotten calls for this mysterious Holly before)
Me: I'm sorry, this isn't Holly's cell phone number any more.
Him: Well, this is student loans. Do you have a number where we can reach her?
Me (kinda laughing): Uh, well, when you buy a cell phone and they assign you a number, they don't tell you who all has had the number before you. (Not to mention give you their new numbers)
Him: Oh, I'm sorry!
Me: Not a problem, we've gotten a few calls for her.

Now for the whistles.
Bird whistles. Or trills...the tree swallows are back nesting this year. This time, they've moved one birdhouse over on our front porch, and have chosen the one that's about 4-5 feet directly across from our front door. I peeked in today, and I'm not sure, but I think I saw a tiny, smooth little white egg in amidst the feathers!

Now, if my sunflower seeds grow, I might get visits from an American Goldfinch, last time I had sunflowers, we saw the little guy daily.

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T05:05:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all moms! My creative daughter played around on the computer and made me this picture that I just have to share:

Right now, she's plugging in the iron so someone can iron her latest perler bead creation, another Mother's Day gift.

My day was going to be spent gardening, but I heard the weather forecast for today and it just didn't look good! So, I did my work yesterday. My front garden was weeded (again), we put in more dirt, and I finally planted the bulbs I'd bought, although I may have to buy new Peruvian Daffodils since the bulbs had gone soft in their packaging. Ugh. My husband didn't like the flowers, they're a little out of the ordinary! If I get any to grow, I'll have to take pictures.
Also planted some gladiolus along the back of the front garden, hopefully they'll help hide the ugly area under the porch. A couple of mini pumpkin vines, cukes, carrots, purple-ish daisies and some flowers I don't know the name of.

Although it's Mother's Day, someone still has to do the laundry, guess that'll be me! I'm sure I'll enjoy the day anyway, it'd be great if my daughters didn't argue for the day but I certainly won't be holding my breath!

Father's Day is Coming!

2008-05-06T11:57:00.000-07:00

Am I odd? Am I strange? Inspiration for 2 of this month's patterns came from a Canadian Tire flyer. It happened to be laying there, open to the tire page...and one of those lightning bolts that I love so much hit me. First came the New Wheels for Dad, then this Making Tracks Set. Both are ideal for the kitchen, not to mention outdoors at a barbecue! I did find myself looking at cars' hubcaps more than usual. Usual being almost never.

I was definitely on a cotton kick, and I do blame Elmore-Pisgah for that. And for the hard time I had refraining from buying MORE cotton until I used up some of the stuff I already have. Although I am sadly in need of a few bright colours...the remaining two patterns this month are also cotton. Of course, you could use worsted weight acrylic, but I prefer cotton for its absorbency.

These two patterns, as well as a StarFlower Kitchen Set and the aforementioned New Wheels for Dad are available now on my site.

Mourning the Loss of Yet Another Hook

2008-05-06T11:52:00.000-07:00

And this one so young! I had very recently purchased a G+ hook (4.5mm) from Sharky's through Etsy. A lovely corian hook in a lavender speckle colour. So smooth to work with, so nice to the touch...
Two days ago, I reached for my jar to pull out the hook, and alas, the handle came, but no hook. Somehow, the hook had broken off. Somewhere, there is a tiny little hook.
This is the second G+ hook that has broken, although the first was admittedly my fault. Never use a wooden hook to 'pry up' a stitch to loosen it. Heed my words, they may save innocent hooks.
Today, a 4mm hook came in the mail, my purchase from G3Studios on eBay. Oh, my goodness! So absolutely light! I've only tried it a bit, but do like the shape of it. It doesn't twist in my hand like round hooks do, so I'm not constantly turning it back to position the hook properly for the next stitch. And it makes a lovely whispering sound when crocheting with cotton, like the hook is talking to me.
Unfortunately, a new 4.5mm hook may have to wait a bit. I may even have to stick with the good ol' metal or plastic hooks, since this size for me seems to be jinxed.

Okay, now THIS is something I would never crochet

2008-05-04T04:42:00.001-07:00

After having nothing to write about really for a while, I finally found something...

Faithfully checking Annie's Attic for the free pattern, like I do almost every day....I saw a pop up of what is one of the ugliest things I've seen. Forget socks and sandals...socks and...FLIP FLOPS?? Ugh.
Now, these are knit, and you can have what looks like one single pattern for $7.99. If you're willing to make the fashion faux pas of wearing socks with sandals. Looks like not everyone shares my taste, there's only 7 left.
While you're there purchasing one of the last few patterns (or even just grimacing) over the flip socks, check out the Sling Socks, also $7.99 for one pattern that looks like an MP3 player cover for your feet.

Gas prices, gas boycotts

2008-04-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

Friday morning, I drove to Leamington, about a 12 minute drive from my town. I felt guilty, especially when I passed the gas station where gas was $1.17 a litre. Which works out to about $4.42 a gallon. Canadian prices, but the US and Canadian dollars are so close, it's not worth converting. But, there were things I needed that couldn't be found in small town, department store-less Kingsville. Okay, it was yarn. And yes, I could have mail-ordered. Mary Maxim I'd have it in under a week, Herrschners, it could be 2 months. Really, last order DID take 2 months. However, the project I needed it for has to be done quickly, so I needed the yarn NOW.

Anyway, later that day, I had to go BACK to Leamington to pick my daughter up from a dance. The sign outside the gas station I had passed earlier now read $1.20 a litre. $4.53 a gallon.

Yesterday, my hubby went for a bike ride past the other side of town, and swears that gas station read $1.24 a litre...$4.68 a gallon.

This morning, I get one of those 'gas prices, please read...' junk emails. Yes, junk. I just had to laugh at this. Puh-lease, this same one has been going around (of course, someone recently had changed the prices in the body of the email...they were in a different shade of blue) for YEARS, and as of yet, it has made ABSOLUTELY NO DIFFERENCE in gas prices. They just keep getting higher. So, save yourself some trouble, save your friends the trouble...if you get that email, just delete it like you do (well, maybe some don't) with all the x-rated junk offers and 'congratulations, you've won an internationl lottery' emails.

How can you save money on gas? Rather than drive 4 blocks to pick up the morning/afternoon paper, WALK. Or ride a bike. Just need a few groceries, 5 blocks away? WALK, or ride a bike. (See the trend??) Keep in mind, you're not only saving $, but you're saving wear and tear that short trips make on the car, AND doing something healthy for YOU. And while you're walking, do take some time to stop and smell the roses. Much better than the smell of gasoline.

Wow, eBay blues, stash for sale!

2008-04-05T08:06:00.000-07:00

Wow. I figured I'd take advantage of a one cent listing sale, if your listing started at 99 cents or less. More than $33 worth of rayon thread just went for $7.50. Four watchers, only 2 bidders?
Next auction ends in about 5 minutes. Certainly more than $30 worth of thread, some still new in package, 2 watchers, and only ONE bid for 99 cents? YIKES. If it goes for 99 cents, I may just cry. I don't like putting reserves on, and I do want to clear out some stock, but NINETY NINE CENTS?? I just hope I didn't underestimate the shipping, cause after paypal fees and the ebay fees, I think I might make about FIFTY CENTS on this one. Double YIKES.

I'm really not sure why people watch an auction if they have no intention of bidding? I know I watch an auction here and there, and at least plan on bidding, but often, the bidding goes too high so I don't bother. I like the watchers who don't pay attention to the finish time and start watching hours before the auction ends, and since the item doesn't sell, obviously, they never come back.

Okay, Chenille yarn for sale, Honeysuckle retails for $3.95 a ball at their site plus shipping. Four balls of this, plus the Bernat Chenille, PLUS what looks like at least half a ball of white chenille, and a small cone of black, no label, but looks about the quantity--88yds. Estimated total retail before shipping (and taxes) $25-30.
Shipping will be the expensive part! If interested, you can have this for $18 shipping INCLUDED within Canada and the US. I will accept Paypal or a money order (sorry--no cheques, email me at crochetsal at yahoo dot com for an invoice, or for my address for the MO), and will accept Canadian money at par. Will ship upon receipt of payment.
First come, first sold!

Spring Cleaning Has Started!

2008-03-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

It doesn't hurt when eBay is offering a one-cent listing fee for anything starting under 99 cents!
So, I've gone through a couple of boxes I've gotten from Elmore-Pisgah, and kept what I am sure I may someday use (nothing like being definite!), and listed quite a bit of thread. Including one large lot of rayon thread starting at 99 cents.
I did list a few pattern mags, but haven't gotten even 1/4 into that box, just get tired of listing so many items at once!
If you're interested, check out my listings at:

New Computer, New Insult?

2008-03-20T05:51:00.000-07:00

First, my new computer! After dealing with a 6yo that had last year developed Alzheimers and could not recognize its own CD drive, a couple of months ago, the monitor started acting up. Turn it on, watch the pretty green light....nothing on the screen. Now, there was a trick...within a few minutes, the monitor would shut itself down, then you had to very quickly turn it back on (or start all over with the waiting) and finally, pictures. Gradually, that few minutes turned into ten, then 15...then the other day, it just would not shut down.
Rather than spend a couple hundred on a monitor, we found a good deal for the entire package. Now I just have to get used to Vista, and the way folders are set up. And get all my info from the other computer somehow...

Now, I'm really not sure if what I felt insulted about was meant as an insult. I was contacted through one of my shops regarding a pattern, could I possibly share it? I did reply stating that it was for sale in my other shop. I heard back that no, they meant free. They knew some people were nice, and thought I might be one.
Okay, I got to thinking: did this person mean 'share' as in copy someone else's pattern and illegally send it? I know people do this, but I just couldn't.
Or, do some designers really hand out their patterns offered for sale just because someone asks? It's kinda like going into a coffee shop you've never been to before, ask for a free coffee and then tell them that you thought they might be nice.
Honestly, I don't think it was meant how it came out, so I'm not really offended! I do have to get back to the person and let her know I DO offer some free patterns.

I am a nice person. I think. Ask anyone who knows me. But, don't ask my mother. L-o-n-g story there, in fact I was told I should write a book. Suffice to say, someone who calls their own grandkids tattletales and crybabies for no reason other than spite toward the children's mother, I wouldn't trust her judgement on anything. And her comment about me not being a perfect mother either would have bothered me if I'd ever claimed to be perfect in the first place. Being imperfect is normal. Waking your kids up at 2 in the morning on a school night to scrub a pan that had been left to soak, or to clean a living room where nothing was out...or even to look for a comic book that your mother had been reading but misplaced...that's NOT normal.

Someday, maybe I'll share a bit about life with my mother. At times, it's so sad it's funny.

2008-03-05T08:23:00.000-08:00

Thank you to all who voted on the mandrake doll's name. The winning name is Montgomery. I'll be contacting all who entered names (there were 4 in total!)as the three runners up will also receive a free pattern of their choice.

With the snow we got (okay, my niece can rub it in--I swore last night that we wouldn't get nearly as much as they were forecasting, figures they'd be right this time) does this mean March came in like a lion? This morning was one of those mornings you didn't stop at corners unless you absolutely had to: 5:40 am and plows hadn't hit most of the streets, and the one they did do piled snow on the street I was coming OFF of. Considering I'm driving just a wee little Escort, I think I did well not to get stuck!
After working 4 hours in the produce department (lifting, moving, stocking) I came home to...move and lift the snow! Thankfully, the sun is out, the day is very mild, so the snow should melt if this keeps up.
Uh...did I say thankfully? Should I mention here that our basement is far from dry and with a heavy rainfall, we get water??

The names are in.

2008-02-24T08:02:00.000-08:00

I have 4 names in the Name the Mandrake contest. I do plan on having the pattern available March 5th.
So, please help vote for your favourite name!
Please, vote by February 29th, I will announce the winner March 1st. Wow, March already....

Thank you! Voting has now ended.

2008-02-14T06:15:00.000-08:00

As stated in my February 7th post, I DID work on that special project.

I first looked up images of a mandrake root. For those who do not know, the mandrake is an actual plant. The root is shaped like the human form, which is why long ago, people believed it had magical powers. And yes, they actually DID believe if you pulled a mandrake out of the earth, its cries would kill you. Anyway, the pictures ranged from photos of the real root, to some anatomically correct mandrake sketches. And a few 'cutesy' ones. Cake, clay...
I spent a day or two debating. Real root, cutesy root. Cutesy root won out this time.
The result, front and back (I love the cheeks--both sets!)

He (she???) stands about 10 1/2" tall, not including the leaves growing out the top of his head. What is hard to see in the picture is his nose: it does protrude, about halfway down the cheeks. I think I may take out his eyes and re-do them, they seem a little high up for my liking.

Now, for my sad news. My favourite G hook, purchased from Ron at Fancy Kitty, broke. My fault. I was trying to pull a stitch out a little to loosen it so my hook would fit through, and the hook snapped off. I was heartbroken. Not to mention frantic. How was I to finish? My hook broke! Then, I remembered the store-bought hooks sitting and collecting dust, and managed to find a G hook to finish the arms, which by then were all that was left.
Guess this means I must go in search of another hook. I have an F hook from Ron, another G hook as well, but the G has the tiniest grain where it catches my yarn. Oh, and forgot, an H hook from Fancy Kitty that I had bought for my sister in law for Christmas...it's still sitting here! And an H hook from (I believe it was) from art-in-crafts at eBay. My latest hook was a hook made from countertop material, a Graydog hook. But no good G hooks. I tell you, these handcrafted ones have spoiled me.

And...some good news. For someone! It's been awhile since I've had a contest. So, I will have a 'Name the Mandrake' contest. Boy name, girl name...unisex name...doesn't matter. Just fill out the email form below, before February 21. I'll then pick out a few names that I like and have a vote. The top winner will receive two free patterns of his/her choice, and two runners up will receive one free pattern of their choosing. Winners will be announced March 1st, and will be emailed privately, so please make sure your email address is valid.

Hands, er...Paws Up!

2008-02-11T06:52:00.000-08:00

My daughters were goofing around last night, and boy, did I ever enjoy seeing them work TOGETHER. The older even offered to work on the younger one's hair. It was indeed a rare site. Made a mother feel good. But I'm not foolish enough to think I can hang up my referee's whistle yet.
Delainey was taking a few pictures, and played around with the camera, setting it to sepia for a few shots. This one, taken of Allie's arm pointing a plastic toy hair dryer at our 4yo cat, Stormy. Delainey did admit that some of the pictures of Allie looked 'good', but then went on to say 'hey, she looks like me in this one'.

I'm hoping to post a special picture soon, I'm currently working on an idea that hit me last week. I don't want to jinx it, so won't say what it is until I'm done...one way or another. If it looks like the picture in my head, I'll share a pic. If it's a muddled mess, I'll just tell you what it was supposed to be!

2008-02-07T08:01:00.000-08:00

I was going to take a picture of the visitor I had on the weekend, but I'm sure most of you know what a Tim Horton's cup looks like. Now, it didn't get here on its own, my brother did come attached. We laugh about this, try to figure out the reasoning behind it (hey, my coffee is NOT bad!): that brother NEVER shows up without a Timmies in his hand. None for us, just him. I could understand if it happened once in a while, but EVERY time he visits. Which is about once a week.

I'm currently re-reading (uh...for about the 10th time or so each) the Harry Potter series. It's so nice to curl up under a warm blanket in bed and read for a half hour or so. While I was reading the other night, I had an idea jump out of the book at me. One of those lightning bolt ideas that I like so much. I won't say what it is yet. Firstly, I don't want someone snagging my idea before I get it done, second, I don't want to jinx it.

What I can say, is my newest patterns are up in my Etsy store. I have a hard time sitting down and working on my actual website...maybe this afternoon. One pattern is still being tested, so although my regular subscribers have it, I don't want to list that one yet. If there are any revisions, it's easier to send out an updated version to only a handful of people.
One pic (this one's my favourite this month):

Now, a close second is my neckwarmer. The first one I made using Sean Sheep yarn I'd purchased at Wal-Mart, then realized it may not be available long. So, I did a second one with regular ol' worsted weight. And one strand of satin worsted weight.

I've also taken the plunge and started a second Etsy store. My old one will be strictly patterns, the new one will be for finished items only. Mostly crochet, but a few other things will show up sooner or later. That store is Smudgekitty Krafts, named for our 17yo tortoiseshell cat. The one with the attitude...the one who doesn't like animals. The one who still likes to go outside in cold weather, while our 4yo tortoiseshell is hibernating indoors for the winter, her choice!

The Martians are coming!

2008-01-17T19:37:00.000-08:00

Well, at night they seem to. The last 2 nights, I've dreamt of UFO's flying close by and preparing to land. Two nights ago, I dreamt once, and had such a feeling of dread that I woke myself up.
Last night, TWO dreams of UFO's landing, and again, that feeling of dread, and not wanting it to happen, so I woke myself up.
What a wonderful ability! I wonder, just how common is it? To realize while dreaming that you're dreaming and force yourself to awaken.
If I'm really tired, it's harder. I remember several years back when my sister was in a coma, another sister asked the doctor if Sue could hear us, and the doctor explained that she probably could, but just couldn't answer, because it was kind of like...and I calmly said "like swimming up through molasses". He looked at me in surprise and said "Yes". Well, that's how waking myself up feels when I'm really tired. It's hard work, but darn it, I just don't want to dream that dream!

I'm really hoping tonight not to have that dream, but at the same time, wondering what would happen if I let it continue?

So, hopefully to satisfy my curiosity (think I'll have to post my poll elsewhere, there's not a lot of traffic here), I've created the poll at right.

On a crochet note (yes, I have been crocheting!) I have two animal bookmarks finished. One I am very happy with, the other I think I'm going to change just a bit. His (her?) face looks...well, not right. Not ugly, just not quite right. I also have a neckwarmer finished, and boy, is it warm! Now, I just have to get my camera out and take the pictures. I am currently working on an outfit for the walking doll, and partway through the top, I'm not sure if I want to do a dress, or a baby doll style sleeveless top with capris. I'm leaning toward the capris.

This is just STRANGE

2008-01-16T18:56:00.000-08:00

With temps zero and slightly below zero (Celsius), and a thin layer of snow on the ground, what my hubby saw walking up our side walk when he got home from work is just strange. Bizarre. A head-scratcher.
A dozen or so, large, black CRICKETS. You know, the chirpers (males chirp) you hear at night in the summer?
Most were on the small cement path leading up to our house, but a few were on the main sidewalk.
The only thing that I could possibly think was someone had ordered crickets via mail order, the postman was carrying the package in his arms instead of the pouch, and the box sprung a leak.
We haven't had warm enough temps to hatch eggs...and apparently, although adults will hibernate in the late fall, they seldom survive the winter. And even if they did survive our cold but above normal temps, why on earth not just wait till the 'real' warm weather gets here?

If anyone has any idea why crickets would make an appearance in mid-January, in cold southwestern Ontario, please let me know!

2008-01-11T15:46:00.000-08:00

Wow, two days in a row. Just thought I'd pop in to say that yes, the cats were both downstairs, and no, I did not get woken in the middle of the night by loud meowing from the attic. I'm sure there were people who lost sleep worrying about that.

It's nice to have my living room back to normal. Now that the tree's taken down, the room seems a bit bigger, until we get used to the tree not being here, when the room will 'return' to its usual really small self. How small? Have you ever seen shows on TV like 'This Small Space'? I would sooooo like to see their version of large, and show them my version of small. Their small bathroom: the size of my kitchen. A small living room, twice the size of mine. You wanna talk small bathroom? I've seen larger closets. So, when these shows really DO show a SMALL SPACE, then I'll watch, cause I just might be able to use some of their ideas. Unfortunately, their current ideas for their 'small spaces' simply won't fit in my space.

Now that I've set everyone's mind at ease (Ha. Ha.) time to get working on an outfit for Miss Frizzy Head, I'm sure I've mentioned her before...the 30+" walking doll with really scary frizzy hair.

2008-01-10T17:56:00.000-08:00

Okay, I finally did it. Took down that sad looking Christmas tree. It's the fold-up artificial kind, and I swear, it loses more needles than a real tree. So, after several years, it's starting to look a little scrawny. But, once it's filled up with ornaments and lights, you really don't notice. Kinda like the little Christmas tree in the Charlie Brown special.
After taking the box upstairs, I *think* both cats came back down. If not, I'm sure I'll hear about it in the middle of the night when they meow for me to pull down the stairs. I gotta get up early, I really hope they both ARE downstairs.

What did keep me busy before, or at least a couple of them:

My Zebra Gift Bag. Or stocking, depending on the time of year it's being used! Could also be made into a pillow, or used as a pyjama bag (this from one of my testers). I felt it was about time, it's been awhile since I'd done my Lion Stocking. I do have other animals in mind...

Another item, my Sherbet Bear Toilet Paper Cover. A little smaller than my 'line' of characters TP Covers, I just didn't have enough of the colour I wanted to use to have him fit a double roll. So, Sherbet hides a single roll of toilet tissue. I'm sure there are people who still use those. With 4 people in our house, it just seems a waste of time to use the single rolls.

These both are now available on my site and in my Etsy store, along with this month's other two new patterns. Not to mention all the 'old' patterns I also have for sale...and don't forget to check my page of free patterns.

A New Year

2008-01-04T06:22:00.000-08:00

And only how many days till next Christmas??
I know it's still Christmas in my house, my tree's still up, but that's only because when I did have the time, I just did not feel like dismantling it. But, I am determined, it WILL come down today. Or tomorrow...
However, at work, our speakers still spew sappy seasonal songs of Christmas. (note, yes, that was done on purpose! Took me a few minutes) Now, this is not the store's doing, they do keep changing it to music that's more appropriate to the time of year. Namely, anything non-Christmas (it was retro--a lot of Beatles, Beach Boys...loved it!). But, each morning at 8 am (I figured this out after a couple mornings) when the store opened...WHAM. We're Dreaming of a White Christmas and Having Ourselves a Merry Little Christmas.
Hopefully, that glitch--let's call it Head Office or so I've been told--gets straightened out.

Yesterday, I took my daughters to the mall for a few clothes. Jacob Jr. had some nice t-shirts, one in particular struck my eye. It was available in 2 different colours, with a feminine design with a fairy. The words: "Wish Upon a Shinning Star". Uh...shinning??? I looked twice. Three times. Laughed, and could NOT buy the shirt. For someone who shudders at the sight of blatant spelling errors, this spelled torture. What it didn't spell was shining.

I looked it up at dictionary.com, and from what I see, shinning can be a word. Just not sure what the front part of the leg, or a cut of beef has to do with a star. Although the climbing using your legs and hands alternately might possibly...if you had lassoed a star and were trying to reach it.

I asked the JJ employees what on earth shinning meant, one looked at the shirt, thinking I had meant to say shooting...saw the mistake...and left the shirts out. But, what can they do. Spelling errors might not torture others like they torture me.
I did try to contact Jacob, and although I clicked the send button, don't know if it went through. Most places have a nice Thank You For Contacting Us page for just such an occasion, but Jacob did not have one. Maybe they had trouble with the spelling...
Now, IF it did go through, and they contact me, I'll pass on what they said.
Kinda curious what on earth they would do. How many stores? How many t-shirts? Recall or Reduce? But come on, I'm also curious how on earth such a blatant error got through inspection.