Rug yarn blues

So sometime ~ that feels like forever ago my yarn stash acquired some rug yarn ... so long ago I don't remember who added it to my stash (I just know I didn't purchase it) ...
Anyway the two bags of this (what appeared to be ancient) rug yarn has become the source for a small little rug for our bathroom. It worked so well that I decided to make a larger one (mainly because I want to be able to wash the rugs more frequently & the current store bought runner is too big to place in my washing machine!!!) ~
now that you are caught up on my reason for looking at older than the hills rug yarn you can now appreciate the rest of my story or not as you wish :)

Working w/ two strands of contrasting colors & a "Q" hook I've got a lovely little rectangle going however now I'm out if the two colors completely & with no possible way to purchase more I will now have to resort to adding two more contrasting colors & seeing if I can manage to make it look deliberately designed to be this way.
Yeah not holding out much hope in this department since my two colors currently are a very nice red & brown & they play together beautifully the next color options not so much!!
Well that's it for right now more as this project progresses.
Stay tuned for my "rug yarn blues" story!!!

And as always I hope your projects remain "Frog Free"

No pattern as of yet but hat finished ;)

http://crochetuncut.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=81:toddler-scarf&catid=63:scarves&Itemid=218

I've shared the link to the Toddler Scarf pattern (yes one of mine) because someone had requested I come up with a hat based on that pattern.    I did come up with one (no pattern as I am still in the playing around stage) but I do hope to have one ready soon.   

Just so I am not leaving you wondering how it looks I do have a couple of photos to share ;)   The first one is a bit dark (the yarn is more lavender in tone as the second photo shows). 

Finally Finished

The prayer shawl is finally finished :)
And that hook is "Retired " ~ yay!!!!

So made a few more infant hats for the charity outreach. And now I'm working on a design idea ~ not sure it will work but at least I'm trying an Idea out :)

Hope you all are making progress on your projects & I hope they will all be "Frog free"!!
Last week in November ~ make it count :)

Slow progress ~ but with good reason :)

The slow progress my title refers to is the prayer shawl still on my hook!  Yes I know it has been way too long to still not have finished with it by now but ... well once I do finish it I have a size "N" hook up for grabs ... seriously the hook has been the cause of my extremely slow progress!!!  It tires my hand out something awful!!!   Other than that it's a perfectly fine hook  :(

So the shawl is still a work in progress (WIP to anyone not in the 'know')  and then I attended the NY Women of Purpose Conference last weekend (Nov 1~3) where Themla Wells shared with us on living Victoriously ... it was Awesome!!!  And I sat there and crocheted two and a half hats!  The first two completed hats were turned over to a missionary before the conference was concluded. The third was completed when I returned home and will sit until I can send many more with it to that same missionary.   She had shared that some times the temperatures can be between 20 to 40 degrees below zero!!!  And when I asked if that was the usual temperatures for that area she said it is cold most of the year, not necessarily that cold but yes it was a cold region, and many children & adults are in need of warm hats, scarves, socks, etc.

Then there is the ever pressing hats / sweaters/ blankets/ booties etc for the community outreach my library is having & I would like to make several more items for that event.   And then there is the "for me" project that hasn't quite gotten any attention so far  ~  but life is still good. Eventually I will get around to making the shrug and the sweater and the top I want to make for myself ... I've only been saying this for several years now what's a little longer ??

Wishing you all "frog free projects" and swift progress on your WIPS !!!!

How many WIP's are too many???

So I started the prayer shawl & honestly it should have been finished and sent on it's way ages ago ... but sadly it is still waiting for me to pay some attention to it  :(

Of course then I had begun making baby hats for the community outreach for my local library.  Now I've made a total of 5 baby hats & not done yet!  Can't help it ~ the pattern link I shared for the baby beanie is just so easy!!!!   I love it & it works up fast.   

Then I started a baby dress (yes one I've made before the Little White Dress from Sarah's sweethearts blog)  and of course I have several UFO's hanging around that recently  have been calling to me ... all of this and my arm will only let me get so far when working on any one of the many projects I want to make.  

I will be heading to Syracuse for the NY Women of Purpose Conference ~  & you know I'll be working on something while I'm there ... but I believe it will be children's hats for a remote area of Tibet where the temperatures can be between 20 to 40 degrees below Zero for a good portion of the year.   I've just recently heard of this need for hats, scarves, & mittens, socks, gloves ~ anything for warmth so nothing lacy or made with spaces, gaps etc. 

I really want to just finish up my current projects so that I can concentrate on making some items especially for the people who live in that remote area.  It is, after all, in a communist country so prayers are always desired for the people groups who are in such need!  

My own personal "WIP's" have been derailed so frequently that I wonder if I will ever get back to them???  Of course I will ;)    I have something that has been on hold for far too long but I will get back to it I am sure.  Only wish it were sooner rather than later!   

Okay back to the hook & yarn ... well shortly still playing on the computer for a bit longer but then right back to work ;)

Wishing you "Frog Free" projects ;) 

Current projects :)

Completed two baby beanies ... found the pattern here:

http://www.crochetnmore.com/babybeanie.htm

I loved how fast this little baby hat worked up, and will make a few more this week.  
With the community outreach at my local public library focused on two local charities that provide mothers something for their newborns, so naturally  baby items are on my radar :) 

Another pattern I have just recently come across & am itching to start is found here : 

http://rhythmofthehome.com/2011/02/newborn-baby-crocheted-dress/

It looks so adorable and I hope since it provides so many good photos it will be as easy as it seems.  

Also still working on the prayer shawl.  My hook seems to be part of my  problem.  My hand and arm tire way too fast when I'm working on this project.  It should have been completed by now but I simply haven't been able to sit and concentrate on it fully for any serious length of time.   I'm not really complaining after all my elbow has a bone spur that sometimes just makes moving my arm not possible.   So any progress is enjoyed.  But when I was working on it the last time (which was Thurs. evening)  I seemed to be uncomfortable with the hook.   One thing I did notice about it was it has no thumb rest & I think if it had one it might not be so uncomfortable in my hand.  

Bone spur in my left elbow & I'm a left handed crocheter so go figure!!!  Oh well that is what is happening around here with my crocheting.
   
Wishing you all 'frog free' projects!!!

Oh and before I leave you all let me give a shout out to my niece, Amanda  ~ she is a clever, talented, artist in many mediums & crochet is one area where her talent shines. If you are interested you can check out her etsy store here: 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeautyInTheGeek

She has some unique items I hope you enjoy her shop. 

Still crocheting!!

It's been so long since I wrote that I doubt anyone will see this post ... but here it goes!

Currently I am working on a prayer shawl ~ I am using the pattern by Lion brand w/ their Homespun yarn.
I Love this pattern!!!
The one done entirely in hdc working on 42 stitches across ~ word of advice ~ make sure you use stitch markers in each end stitch so you don't have to frog!! Also if you are not familiar w/this yarn use a good strong light over your shoulder that shines directly on your work. Since this pattern calls for a large hook (N) the stitches are a bit easier to "see" then when working with a smaller hook ~ unless of course you crochet tightly!
I have made this shawl many times & have always loved the ease of making it with one modification ~ I rarely fringe anything! So I often sc around the entire shawl or better yet reverse sc around. Some times I will make tassels & place them in the corners.

Another thing I will be working on are several items for charity. Mostly baby items that are small, fast & easy to work up. When I pick the patterns I will share my views here so stay tuned if you want to know what I am crocheting :)

Since I last wrote I decided to separate my daily life views from my craft blog and have started another blog where I will share my journey w/ any one interested to read about me, my life & my opinions.

If you care to check it out ~ it's titled
Choosing Daily to Chose Christ
annefatato.blogspot.com

"Inspired by" vs. "Based on" ... movie vs. the book ...

Words have meaning!!   So I've now learned a major difference when it comes to movies that state "Inspired by" a true event vs. "Based on" a true event.  
I also knew that whenever you read a book then watch the movie the book is almost 100% better than the movie ever can be yet I often want to see the movie in order to see how someone else "saw" the book's story unfold for them.
What has brought on this post today?   So glad you asked!   Recently I had heard about a movie, perhaps you've heard about it or even watched it yourself?  It's called "The Vow"  basic story line is a married couple in a car accident & the wife ends up with TBI  (Traumatic Brain Injury) so she doesn't remember her husband.   He loves her enough to do what is "best for her" based on his vows to her at their wedding.
Sounds interesting.  ... well it did to me anyway ;)     I mean how difficult it must be to be living with someone you love so completely one day & then after an accident the love of your life has no memory of you at all ... you're a complete stranger to them.
Unfortunately many couples face this sort of "memory loss" without an accident spurring it on  when the brain is affected from dementia or worse from Alzheimer's Disease.   But in this case the point isn't about the common events that can steal your memory from you but rather the dramatic events that can change your life forever ~ and this movie is "INSPIRED" by a true event ... meaning they completely rewrote the story to suit themselves.   I was really excited to see the movie because it was "based on a true event" ... never paying attention to the fact that it Does Not Claim to be BASED on a true event.

If you have seen the movie & not read the book you need to read the book!  It's a mere 183 pages & the fact that this is an actual account of their personal story aside it's compelling & real and you so need to read it if you haven't already but have seen the movie!    It will be incredibly different from beginning to end.  You will then understand the difference between "inspired by"  & "based on" when you pick up a movie with those words on it's cover.   And I'm not 'knocking" the movie ~ it was okay  ~ you caught that right?  I'm not "knocking" the movie at the same time I'm not really recommending it either ... what I am saying here is in this case you really missed out on the whole purpose of the title  "The Vow" if you only see the movie without reading the book!!

And that is my take on this movie after reading the book ... I know if I had seen the movie first & then read the book I would have the same reaction the Book is SO Much BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Memorial Day ... thinking ... crocheting ... life :)

So it's a day to Remember ...
mainly the day is set for remembering those who gave their lives in service to our country.
But for so many of us it simply stands as a day to relax and enjoy a cook out or catch up on some much needed rest.  I think the first thing is to remember that Jesus gave His life so that we could be reconciled with God the Father.   HE made the way for our Freedom ~  then as time & cultural society changes took place we found ourselves living in a manner that required our armed forces (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force) to fight on our behalf to continue to ensure our freedoms to enjoy our life as we know it ~ the freedom to speak our mind, the freedom to worship as we want to our God,  the rights to vote etc ...
I state all of that because I have heard on various occasions comments about how Jesus is our Freedom as if we should not consider the day & age we live in and what our armed forces have done on our behalf.   I've also heard comments that indicate we should only consider what our armed forces have done as if we should dismiss what Jesus has done on our behalf.

How sad that there isn't a recognition of both.   A joy in knowing what Jesus has done for us and that this earth is not our "home" but while we are still here we have men & women who are willing to fight on our behalf to remain free to serve our God, to speak our minds, to come & go freely within our country.  So many places in this world these basic freedoms do not exist.  How sad it must be to not be able to worship God in freedom.

So there you have my thoughts on Memorial day ~  it's a day for thought, for remembering ~ for thankfulness & for embracing all that God has provided for us.

On a crochet note ~  I am working on a couple of bracelets ~ I'm trimming some faux fur (very small piece) with some size 3 thread/ yarn and I know my lovebug who gave me the piece of faux fur to work with will LOVE her bracelet & the one I make for her sister!!!

Life thought for this day ~  lighten up!  Lest the cares of this world weigh you so far down you can't embrace all that God has given you!!!

Lost in the crowd … and other random thoughts :)

So there is a song with the phrase … “dust in the wind” … and although I don’t know all of the lyrics I do know that phrase! 

While sitting in church this morning (and before you get all technical on me ~ yes I do know & understand that “we” are The Church ~ I also know we use the word church to describe a location where people with like beliefs gather together so understand me when I use it in that manner) …. anyway I was saying … while I was sitting in church this morning the thought occurred to me how many people, even  “Christians” gathering together for a time of praise & worship are really just “Lost in the Crowd”???

Then the thought came to me how many were in the crowd when Jesus was taking upon himself the sins of the world and was about to lay down his life for us ~  how many of the people in the “crowd” yelling Crucify Him were just “lost in the crowd”?     Following blindly what everyone else wanted?

Are you just ‘dust in the wind’  or  merely “lost in the crowd” ???   Do you find yourself ‘sitting on the fence’?    Just wanting to “fit in” with the masses???  

I find I really don’t mind not “fitting in” or being “dust in the wind”  but for some reason I don’t like the idea of  being “ lost in the crowd”!   I believe we are to be witnesses to the power & glory of God and if we are “not fitting in” that may be because of our witness,  & if we are “dust in the wind” well we are “dust” and we may easily be blown from place to place as God sees fit to have us witness in various places.  However to be “lost in the crowd” means we are there but no one really notices us, no one really takes into account that we are a part of the crowd.  Therefore we are not being effective witnesses, if we just simply blend in then how can we possibly stand out???   We want others to “see” Christ in us then we need to “stand out” in the crowd so they can notice &  “SEE” Christ in us ~ in order for Christ to shine through us we actually need to be Seen and acknowledged in the first place.

So as I prepare to get some much needed sleep my mind is pondering how to reach out to others with the truth of Gods Love, and let them know they are being “seen” ~ if not by their fellow man than by God Himself who sees & knows ALL.   He has such important things to take care of but nothing is more important to Him than YOU.   After all He sent His only begotten Son to pay the price for YOU (yes, and for me too)   … the beauty of His Love is that it really does extend to ALL who will Believe in HIM for Who He is & if you believe then you accept Him as your Lord & Savior and enter into a relationship with HIM. 

How cool is that?????  Not only does He Love me but He also wants me to Know HIM … even better than I know my best friend, better than I know my spouse, better than I know my children or any other member of my family … better than I know myself!!!  In order to “know HIM” better I have to spend time with Him, through prayer & reading His word and spending time in His presence.   And the beauty of all of this is that HE is more than able to meet with me any time I am willing to meet with HIM whether it is in the privacy of my home, or in the midst of the largest crowd of people.   I am not “lost in the crowd” when it comes to meeting with Him whether it is in the largest “church service” or in a shopping mall or at a sporting event … God is more than able & He is willing to meet with us wherever we may be at any time of the day or night.  

So my last thought is … how do we share this ‘thought’ with others?   For as you can see for yourself … it’s just too good to keep to myself ~ it’s worth sharing with everyone!!!!   My prayer tonight is that  those who belong to Him will find themselves drawn to witness like never before & for the boldness of the Holy Spirit within them to empower them to speak at the right time the right words to the right person/ people ~ and for those who do not belong to Him will be drawn to the truth of His love & mercy so that they may not have to suffer His wrath … hell is real and it is the separation sin created between man & God don’t fall into the trap that tells you God is so loving He wouldn’t “send” anyone to hell ~  He is so loving he gave us all the choice … what will you decide??? I pray you chose wisely and don’t chose to end up separated from God for all of eternity!!!!