The Latest Happenings...

A clip from Monty Python keeps running through my head. A cryer with a cart going through a mideavil city, shouting"Bring out Your Dead." Then someone brings an old man out slung over his shoulder. The old guys lines are something to the affect of "but I feel much better, think I'll go for a walk later" (said in a weak unconvincing voice). That is how I feel today...

On Monday, November 24, I started to get a sore throat. By Wednesday afternoon, I had full blown strep throat. I saw a dr., got antibiotics and went home to sleep, then discovered that my laptop had crashed. I reformatted and repartitioned the hard drive then reloaded Windows XP which was a total bust because I couldn't hook up the the internet to get any of my drivers and couldn't find my dell disk anywhere. I kinda slept through Thanksgiving, as we had decided Wed. evening to postpone our actual celebratory dinner until Saturday. I did install the Windows Anywhere copy of Vista Upgrade in between naps. I went to work on Friday then came right home and crashed pretty early. Woke up on Saturday to discover my computer had crashed yet again, cooked and cleaned, and roped the kids into helping get dinner on the table. It was wonderful, Just the three of us with turkey and all the fixings, Including 2 different pies for dessert. Then my children disappeared. Oldest left the house and youngest fell into chair in front of the TV and became couch potato. I went back into my room and finally got the laptop up and running (knock on wood) and tried to check my one million emails only to find out that the fair access policy on my Satellite Internet Service had been breached....AAAAGGGGGG!!!

So!, between all the problems I haven't been able to keep up with all the emails from my crochet groups, or the fly-lady.net site or anything, (let alone sit down and crochet anything...) So! I need to go back to work on my xmas gifts now. Keep hooking :)

Suki, The New Addition to the Storms Family

This is Tsukiko. She is a Bichon Frise / Pug / West Highland Terrier mix. Suki was born on September 22, 2008, so at the time of this picture she is about 8 1/2 weeks old. She is tiny, considering our other dog is a husky-collie mix and is about 75 lbs. She is almost paper trained and working on crate training. She goes every where with me, even to work. I have a box under my desk where she sleeps (which she seems to do most of the time) and some news papers in the corner. One of my boss's even brought her some toys that his dog used to use. (he had a Jack Russel that got hit by a car about 7 years ago) I have had her for almost three days and I have fallen so in love with her. I will post more pics of her and the things I plan on crocheting for her when we get more settled in and I can actually crochet again. Wish me luck....

I know it has been a while since I last posted, I have been trying to get anti-depressant dosage fixed as well as dealing with various household crisis avoidance manuvers. I am still working on too many crochet projects at once, but I will post pics soon of all the partial projects I have going. I have recently started reading the Flylady.com site and signed up to receive her household (and sanity) helping emails. (I LOVE FLYLADY!!!) I still have a long way to go to get rid of all the clutter but I feel better about what I can and am doing about it.

My current carry around project is Brogi's blanket. It is the "Arctic ripple" from the 200 Ripple Patterns to Knit and Crochet Book, I am doing it in three shades of green, white, and burgandy red, will post a pic later tonight.

After about 16 years

I finally decided to try doilies again. I haven't worked on a doily since my daughter's second Christmas. My Husband was out of work that year so I made doilies for everyone for Christmas. I had my second child about two months later and my time to crochet was cut down to a minimum. I actually didn't crochet again for several years. I actually joined a couple of crochet groups on yahoo that are pretty much for doilies. One of the groups, Crochet_Gatherings, turned me on to the book "99 Little Doilies" by Patricia Kristoffersen, published by Leisure Arts. (isbn: 1-57486-233-2) I started with doily #23 in Bernat Cool Crochet Rosewood and a size 0 hook. What do you think???

I have finally finished my dad's Blue LB Suede afghan. I will be giving it to him this weekend. I have spent the last two weeks trying to work on something, anything, and failing. My best friend, and the Accts payable person in my office was on vacation for two weeks. I, as the controller, got the privilege of filling in for her and doing my work too. So the last two weeks have been stressful and tiring. I actually went to bed at 9:00 two nights in a row. Now she's back so Saturday is my first day off since August 2nd. But... today was the first day of my payroll guy's vacation. (big sigh) but fortunately payroll is significantly easier than AP.

Anyway, on to the next wip on my list.

For anyone keeping track, I finished one of the items on my wim/wip list: Finish pink round ripple, weave ends and border, for Samantha, I just have to remember to bring it into work to give to her mom, my best friend and coworker (Allison). I have been trying to make a shawl/wrap for Allison too, but haven't found the perfect yarn to do this with, so instead I have been working with some Berlini London yarn, 100% merino wool, color#387 lot#199 I think the pattern I have been playing with is called the Easy Lacy Shells Scarf By Sandy Marshall on Ravelry. Here is the link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-lacy-shells-scarf

When I get done with it it will be a shawl or wrap, I will of course post pictures when I am done.

I meant to blog about my Peaceful and Restful Saturday, but got tied up with this shawl I was making, Sweet Pea Shawl from the S&B book. (I started it and finished it on Saturday). I bought some new yarn on sunday while waiting for the kids to meet me for lunch. I will update later with the brand and color name for now a description. It is a cadet blue and brown mix worsted weight I think...and it is screaming at me to make it into a shawl. I didn't really get to work on anything on Sunday (crochet wise) because after work the kids met me for lunch at 99 restaurant, kinda a late Birthday celebration for my 18 year old and then we went to Borders, The Lebanon Pet & Aquarium center (where we all got to hold a snake) and then to the Powerhouse Mall, where my daughter got some Ralph Lauren perfume and Some UGG flipflops (I thought they only made boots???) Then we went to see the Movie The Incredible Hulk, which was fun... after we got takeout at KFC and went back home.

Project Linus Pattern

Sideways Shell Baby Afghan (aka: Newbie Shell Afghan)Copyright 2000 by Donna Laing

I made this blanket from Donna's pattern in only two or three evenings. I made it with Joann Sensation Rainbow Boucle, that I got for 5 or 6 dollars on sale. I think I am gonna use the pattern for a shawl I am going to make for Nana, my BF's mother. She doesn't know she's getting it, but when asked what color she wears mostly she said Sage green. I am almost done with my father's afghan and that will knock one of my wip's off my list. My daughter graduated last Saturday and turned 18 on Wednesday... a lot for a single mom to deal with in one week. lol. Her father actually showed up to the graduation. His first attempt to attend something that is important to her in the whole 18 years she has been alive. (long story) She glowed when she saw him there so it was worth having to deal with him just to see her happy. And yes, I am bitter. lol. I have some pictures but decided not to include them because there are too many crazies out there and I don't want them looking at my kid. She was beautiful and happy, that's enough for me. The above blanket was for her bf's cousin who is having a baby girl. I tend to do that a lot. I make things for my loved ones to give to people that I will probably never meet. I take great joy in just the making of the baby blankets, I know they will be well received . Now I have to go look at my wip list and see what comes up after the LB blue suede ripple for my dad.

link to more pics

http://jmccrochetblog.blogspot.com/2008/06/as-promised.html

This is a link to Joyce's blog with another picture of the 9 point Solid Center Round Ripple. I just love green and her color combinations are wonderful. Be sure to leave her a comment if you like it as much as I do.

In other news...I am also on Ravelry, ("stormdrac" again) and am working on My dad's LB Suede in Blue Ripple Afghan. Straight ripple this time, not round....imagine how long those final rounds would take trying to make a round ripple big enough for a 6 ft. man.....hours and hours. Anyway, I went with straight ripple and I think I am about 1/2 way through it. I will of course post when I finish it...pics too.

More pics

Darlene was kind enough to send me pictures of her afghans made with my pattern. She also gave me permission to post them here so the rest of you can see them. As you can see, she added extra points to the second one to make it an eighteen point.

The blue and white one used 9 or 10 oz. of Caron Simply Soft and an H hook and is 36 inches across. The other is Red Heart and an N hook, 17 oz so far and is already 45 inches across. Great job Darlene, and thanks for the yarn usage info.

Also, no pictures yet but Crochet Leah also sent me yarn usage amounts. She used RH Super Saver about 15 oz. for 36 inches across.

Thanks to all who shared the info, I will update the pattern.

9 Point Round Ripple - my design

9 Pointed Round Ripple with Solid Center

Designed by Michele Storms

Materials List:
5 skeins Red Heart Classic (190yds/solid)
(uses 6 or 7 skeins if using print or multi which is only 146yds)
“I” hook
This amount of yarn will result in the afghan being 45’ or larger depending on how tight or loose your stitches are.
Stitches Used:
Single Crochet = sc

Single Crochet Two Stitches Together = Decrease = sc2tg

Half-double crochet = hdc

Double crochet = dc
Triple (or treble) crochet = trc
Slip Stitch = sl st

Row 1: Ch 3. Then In 3rd chain from hook do 11dc, join with sl st to top of beginning ch, (12dc)

Row 2: Ch 2, ( ch 2 counts as 1 dc through out pattern) 1 dc in same st, 2dc in each dc, sl st to close (24dc)

Row 3: Ch 2, 2 dc in next dc, *1 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc,* repeat from * to * 10 times, sl st to close. (36dc)

Row 4: Chain 2, 2dc in next st, *1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, * repeat from * to * 16 times, sl st to close (54dc)

Row 5: Chain 2, dc in next st, *2 dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, * repeat from * to * 17 more times, sl st to close (72dc)

Row 6: Ch 2, 1 dc in next 2 sts, (dc, ch2, dc) in next stitch, *dc in next 7 sts, (dc, ch2, dc)* repeat from * to * 8 times, dc in next dc 4 times, sl st to close (80 dc)

Row 7: Ch 2, sc in next st, hdc in next 2 dc, *(1dc, 1trc, ch2, 1trc, 1dc) in ch 1 space, hdc in next 2dc, sc in next 5dc, hdc in next 2dc* repeat from * to * 7 more times, (1dc, 1trc, ch2, 1trc, 1dc) in ch 1 space, hdc in next 2dc, sc in next 3sts, sl st to close (135 sts)

Row 8: Ch 2, sc in next st, *sc2tg, hdc in next 2 sts, (2dc,ch2,2dc) in ch1 space, hdc in next 2 sts, sc2tg, sc in next 5scs*, repeat from * to *8x’s, sc2tg, hdc in next 2 sts, (2dc,ch2,2dc) in ch1 space, hdc in next 2 sts, sc2tg, sc in next 3scs, sl st to close

Row 9: Ch 2, sc2tg, dc in next 4 sts, *(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2 space, dc in next 4 st, sc2tg, sc in next 3 st, sc2tg, dc in next 4 st, * repeat from * to * 8 times, *(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2 space, dc in next 4 st, sc2tg, sc in next 2 st, sl st to join

Row 10: sl st to 1st dc, ch 2, dc in next 5 dc, *(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2 space, dc in next 6 dc, sc2tg, sc in next sc, sc2tg, dc in next 6 dc*, repeat from* to * 8 times. dc in next 6 dc, sc2tg, sc in next sc, sc2tg, sl st to close

Row 11: Ch 2, dc in next 7 sts, *(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2 space, dc in next 8 dc, dc3tg, dc in next 8 dc*, repeat from* to * 8 times, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2 space, dc in next 8 dc, dc3tg, sl st to close

Row 12: sl st to next dc, ch 2, dc in next 8 dc, *(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2 space, dc in next 9 dc, dc2tg skipping the stitch from the 3 st decrease from the previous row, dc in next 9 dc* repeat from* to * 8 times, dc in next 9 dc, dc2tg skipping the stitch from the 3 st decrease from the previous row, sl st to close.

The rest of this afghan is basically repeats of Row 12. The # of stitches between the peaks and valleys will increase as the rows increase. If it seems to be rippling, use (1dc, ch2, 1dc) instead of (2dc, ch2, 2dc) for the peaks every 3rd row or so...Keep going until it is large enough for your needs. Please do not sell pattern but feel free to link to this page. And please let me know if it needs adjusting in any way. See more pictures of this afghan in my blog, or in my photobucket album, under Stormdrac. Thanks

Weekend Woes & Triumphs

This weekend started off, on Friday evening, with a dinner date with my ex. Not too bad, Chinese Buffet. On the way home my son called, apparently the State police had called my house saying that my daughter's car was parked in someone's driveway and that they had called the police about it.

From bad to worse, I couldn't reach my daughter on her cell phone. She was spending the night at a friend's house, "Erica" and of course she has 4 different friends named Erica. Needless to say the next hour and a half were spent calling all over to see what happened to my kid. She finally called me saying that she forgot to charge her cell phone and that "Oh, by the way" her car started spitting antifreeze out the vents, so she pulled over and called AAA.

Apparently the tow truck driver that AAA called Doesn't know his elbow from a hole in the ground as her vehicle was "dropped off" about 25 to 30 miles away from the address that they gave to AAA. Thus the Complaint and State Police involvement. She finally got it all straightened out, after calling and ranting at AAA. After my heart started beating again and My blood pressure went down to normal. I realized that my daughter had handled the situation completely correctly, except for letting me know what was going on.

Saturday I got to sleep in, Crocheted, Watched Sci-Fi movies and Relaxed. Saturday Evening, my ex brought over his Camera and we had a "professional" photo shoot. (more of a learning experience for both of us.) I may post a pic here when I get them back. (We'll see how they came out.)

Sunday I went to work in the A.M. Went grocery shopping and came home to have a mental meltdown...nothing major just me loosing it...But after that was done. I managed to get to Row 12 of my 9 Pointed Solid Centered Round Ripple. I Told you I would eventually write the pattern down for you all. Maybe by next weekend It will be ready to be tested. Any takers?

Garden Party Wrap by Kimane Designs

I am in a yahoo group called Crochet along. Recently we decided to crochet a wrap created by one of our members, Kim Guzman. She is a wonderful designer. Her site is here: http://www.kimanedesigns.net/ I have made a couple of her patterns and plan on a couple more...I highly recommend her work for all levels of crocheter. Anyway, here are pics of my completed Garden Party Wrap, done in Bernat Softee Baby, mint. (The pattern calls for lace weight but as I had never used lace weight before, I decided to try this first.) The first three show how long it is...I haven't measured it yet. The last shows the design detail. Let me know what you think.

National Crochet Month - March

As a tribute to National Crochet Month, I have decided to make Potholders using stitch patterns I haven't used before. The first one I made was with the Magic square technique. From the pattern at this site: http://www.mielkesfarm.com/diagonal_hotpad.htm I will add a picture of my first attempt when I get home tonight. I used a striped cotton for it, (sorry I am suffering from CRS today due to lack of sleep all week). I will post more details tonight If the weather doesn't knock out my internet. Good luck Happy Friday and if you wanna learn to crochet go to You Tube and search "how to crochet" if you need help let me know I am willing to try to tutor from a-far. :)

WIP LIST

Work-in-Progress list:
Lionbrand Suede, blue, ripple - dad
Lionbrand Pound of Love, Turquoise, Lavender, White, round ripple - Gigi
Red Heart Holly, White & Red, V-Stitch - Mike
Red Heart Scraps, greens & pinks with Aran, Quilt inspired afghan (log cabin style) - ?

Need to find bluesy afghan to do for Ambrosia, had one started but I hate the yarn. I was using this chenille yarn but it is thin and hard for me to work with...and almost impossible to frog. Will have to try something else...and a different pattern, too.

Plus, I still need to find something for the boys...Lyle and Manny, and I have to do an afghan for my best friend and my sister.

Round Ripple, solid center.

This is the center of the round ripple I designed. Before anyone asks, I am trying to write it out, with a few modification. When it is completely written and tested, I will publish it here on my blog for all to use. I came up with this a couple of years ago because it seemed that the round ripples available were too lacy around the center and I wanted something more solid. I hope when finished, it will be something you all enjoy.

Happy New Year

I spent a quiet New Year's eve at home playing computer games, went to bed early and slept through the ball dropping, all in all, the usual. I worked for a little while on New Year's day and because we had a horrible snow storm here, my boss sent the entire office home. I went home and crocheted a bit on my Dad's afghan, Lion Suede in Blue, with a Ripple pattern. Late evening we noticed the roof leaking....In three spots. ARRRGGGG! We shoveled part of it and it seemed to slow down but I think the eves are piled with ice and that is causing the leaks. Will write more later...