Returning to Pioneer Days

So I have been having a lot of fun on Pinterest lately.  This is a great site where I can save things that I see on-line and also see other things that people are putting on their "boards".  This has given me some really fantastic inspiration.  I very much love the DIY fad that is going on.  there are a lot of resources available on-line that is free and still leaves a lot of room for customization!.  I took on two really great projects in the last two days..  One, a single time project, and one that I hope will blossom into a great future for me!!

One: A basket crocheted from clothesline!!  The inspiring post can be found on a great blog; "Making Chicken Salad".  I am not going to re-right the pattern however......  I found this whole project very challenging.  I would say that although I have only been crocheting just shy of 2 years, I am a pretty advanced with the medium.  I have yet to find a pattern that can really best me!  That being said, I struggled here.  I used cotton clothesline as opposed to the nylon brand as called for on the original pattern.  In creating the bottom, the pattern did not take into account the needed increases to keep the piece flat.  As I fudged through to try to keep it relatively symmetrical I was changed by the stubborn nature of the cotton line.  As I worked through, my hands began to tire quickly.  Alas, I "finished" the basket.  I am unsure of how I will truly finish it however.  I may line the basket or I may try to add a sophisticated bow.  I may try it again, but maybe with a larger hook and better attention to how tight my gauge is.  Following is a really bad picture.  I will try and edit to post a better pic tomorrow!!

 

Two:  Liquid Soap.  Yes I know... Soap has been done!!  Soap can be bought in any store...  I know what you are thinking.. but when I can take a $0.99 bar of soap and a couple of other items and turn into a half gallon of liquid soap, I am all ears!  I will try just about anything to become more economical and save money.  I am also looking for nice Christmas gifts that I can make and give.  Again, Pinterest.com to the rescue!  The tutorial can be found on another amazing site: "The Farmer Family".

        My supplies:

I really enjoyed the ease of the process. I am now totally intrigued in experimenting and learning more about the science of soap making.  Today I went and got some basic supplies and will be continuing to play.  Tomorrow, 12 lucky people will be getting samples of The Starving Llama's very first Oatmeal Almond Liquid soap!  :)

The samples:

Herbert the Hug Monster

Let me introduce to you... Herbet.  

He is a hug monster that is ready to attack anyone in need of a hug.  Herbert was inspired by another Hug Monster by another crocheter.  I have a dear friend from childhood that was in a tragic car accident and is struggling with her recovery.  She lives many states away, but I still wanted her to know that we were thinking about her and wishing her a speedy recovery.

Here is the pattern:

Herbert the Hug Monster

     By: Sarah Greller

            Herbert is a very simple crochet project that can be completed in one sitting.  I made him using up some of my scrap yarn. 

Materials needed:

·         4.0mm – G Hook

·         Any Worsted/10ply yarn (I was using up some of my Sugar n Cream cotton) - Feel free to use any combination of colors.  I used one color for the body and two colors combined for the arms and hair

o   Main Color – Approximately 50 yards

o   Contrast Color 1 and 2 – Approximately 10 yards of each (depending on how long you want the arms and how much hair you want)

o   Contrast Color 3 – very small amount, just for stitching on the face

·         Safety Eyes in desired size

·         Stitch Marker (if you don’t want to count as you work)

Stitches Used:

·         Magic Ring – method for minimizing the hole created by the first round.  A tutorial may be found here:              How to use a Magic Ring

·         SC – single crochet

·         Dec2sc tog – Decrease 2 single crochet together

Body:

          Using main color

Rnd 1: Create a ring using the magic ring method and 8 sc Place stitch marker into the first stitch on each round, continue to move stitch marker into the first stitch made to help you know where the next round begins.

Rnd 2: Sc in the next sc, 2 sc in the next sc.  Repeat around.   (12 sc)

Rnd 3: Repeat Rnd 2 (18sc)

Rnd 4: Sc in next 2 sc, 2sc in next sc.  Repeat around.  (24 sc)

Rnd 5: Repeat round 4 (32 sc)

Rnd 6: Sc in the next 3sc, 2sc in the next sc.  Repeat around.  (40 sc)

Rnd 7-16: Sc in each sc around. (40 sc)
Rnd 17: Sc in the next 3sc, dec2sc tog.  Repeat around. (32 sc)
Rnd 18: Sc in the next 2sc, dec2sc tog.  Repeat around.  (24 sc)
Rnd 19: Sc in the next 2sc, dec2sc tog.  Repeat around.  (18 sc)
Rnd 20: Sc in the next sc, dec2sc tog.  Repeat around.  (12 sc)

Start Stuffing, place eyes in the desired position and embroider on the mouth using Contrast Color 3. 

Arms and Hair – Using Contrast Colors 1 & 2       

          This is totally up to your preference.  For the arms I cut 6 lengths of both colors that were twice the distance from the center of my chest to my fingertips.  Three strands of each color were put of either side of the face.  To attach the strands I used a larger crochet hook.  Fold the three pieces of yarn in half.  Pick the spot for the first arm and push the larger hook through and pull the folded loop through the body.  Bring the tail through the loop and pull tightly.  Braid the arms with one strand of each color in each of the three sections.  Braid to the end and tie an overhand knot to secure the end and trim.  Repeat for the second side.

          For the hair cut the desired number of piece and attach around the crown in the same manner as the arms.

 

Rnd 21: Sc in the next sc, dec2sc tog.  Repeat around. (8 sc)

Finish stuffing and dec2sc tog till closed.

Weave in ends and begin hugging!!!!

This Pattern is for personal use only, Please don't sell the pattern.  Please contact me for permission to sell the finished product. Thank-you.

lovetoknitswap@gmail.com

TheStarvingLlama.blogspot.com

A shiny sink makes everything better

Tonight was Halloween!

     This was Ben's second but Alex's first. Ben was so much more into it this year. He walked hand in hand with his cousins up to each door and held up his basket. Each time he would come running back to me with a big smile! The glee in his heart reminded me of how simple life is for him. He loves to be surrounded by his cousins, and is happiest when he has a sippy cup full of milk and his monkey by his side. He seemed amazed that with every new door he approached the strangers inside would repeat the same actions. And with a big smile I got to see me little big boy gain an understanding of the magic of the night. Laden down with a heavy basket of goodies we returned home to Nanny's house to crash from exhaustion.

     My little boy, who isn't so little at almost 35 inches tall is growing up so fast and will tomorrow be starting a new chapter in his life. About a month ago, Ben was diagnosed with being severely delayed in both his speech and cognitive abilities. This was a very difficult thing for me to hear. I knew that something wasn't right; he didn't speak, didn't seem to care if other people were around... He was just different. A mother always knows. So Ben was evaluated and found to be very behind... At the 6-9 month level, the same level as his little brother. Tomorrow Ben has his very first appointment with his speech teacher. I have so much anxiety wrapped up around this visit. Will the house be clean enough, will she notice the dirt under Ben's nails, will she determine that Ben is behind solely because of inadequate parenting??? I know that she is coming here to help Ben, not to judge me. But I can't help my mind going there.
     In the end, no matter what this woman thinks of me, I know I am doing the right thing. This can only help him. Plus, as I said at the beginning of this, a shiny sink makes everything better. How can you stay in a bad mood when there is a pretty, shiny surface staring back at you!!!!

Powdered Pumpkins!!!

Happy Winter..errrr I mean Fall!
          My church has an annual Pumpkin Patch fundraiser, and i was slated to do a shift yesterday... in the pouring rain, sleet, and snow.  It was a unique opportunity to see orange pumpkins turn white and also to see what kind of crazy people come out during a nor'easter to go pumpkin picking!

   There were some really great positives to the weather during this shift: 1) my children went to go play with their cousins, leaving me to a rare moment or peace, quiet, and aloness.  2) Most of the time was spent in my car, albeit trying to keep warm, but it provided me some solid crafting time.  This alone time allowed me to go from start to finish on a project that needed to be done so that I could send out a swap package.  The swap that I am working on now is a Mystery Color Swap.  You are given a person to create for and a color that they want that item to be.  The person that you are sending to does not know who they will be getting something from.  I am usually late with my packages because life just tends to get in the way.  I am super excited that this package is done and ready to go out in the post!  In researching the person that I am giving to, I discovered that she has two big loves: Pokemon and Sailor Moon.  My choices for creation were easy!!!

I introduce to you: Jigglypuff!! This little guy was SO much fun to crochet and obviously it worked up quickly.

My second creation, which I have been working on for about a week: Sailor Moon!!  She was also great to create.  The detail work at the end was a little tedious, but totally worth it.  The details are what makes it so close to the real thing!

Passing the Art

A co-worker and friend of mine, Nicole, asked me to teach her to knit.  I was thrilled with the idea.  I think that the fiber arts are a great skill.  Because of its resurgence among my generation, I am happy to see a new appreciation for the hand-made and craftsmanship.  I gave Nicole a shopping list consisting of needles and yarn and away she went.

Nicole came into work this morning with a spring in her step and a bag of goodies in her hand.  She was very excited for her first knitting lesson at lunch time.  Right away at lunch we started with tying a slip knot and casting on some foundation stitches.  With some awkwardness in her hands she watched as I demonstrated a step a couple times and she attempted to replicate. Very quickly her clumsiness changed to fluid movements as the muscles in her hands repeated the same motions.  Nicole was giddy with excitement about knitting her very first swatch. She even laughed as she stumbled for the first time, her needle splitting the fibers of her yarn.  "I can't talk and knit at the same time", she exclaimed... A battle that many new knitters have.. She will be taking home my copy of "Stitch n Bitch".  This is the book that I used to teach myself to knit and I know that she will appreciate the humor or the writing. 

Watching her learn and her excitement is contagious!  I am looking forward to her continued learning and growth..  Next thing you know... she will be Purling!!!

I Need To Be Committed

                I have said those words a thousand times.  Those five words are so easy to say, but have a lot of weight to them.  Time and time again, I have started on my weight loss journey with the best of intentions.  You name the weight loss program and I have probably tried it.  Mostly I have stuck with Weight Watchers.  It seems to be the one that works for me.  There are no restrictions, but I still need to make the right decisions.  Even if I am not actively “on program”, I still have it in the back of my head as something that I should keep in mind. 

                I have found that I do a much better job when I feel like I am accountable to someone besides myself; a buddy, a online group, a challenge.  I think that it is sad that I have found that I don’t care enough about myself to want to do it only for me, but if I feel like I will be letting someone else down, I will make sure to get it done…

                A little victory: Since my restart, I am already down 1.5 pounds!!!  I know that this is the easy part…. But I am still happy to see the scale moving in the right direction.  In my journey already I have found a really really yummy snack in my quest to eat my points. 

Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Granola

                2/3 cup Trader Joe’s Country Pumpkin Spice Granola

                2 Tbsp. Dark chocolate mini chocolate chips

Add both ingredients together, mix, and enjoy.   

                The points on this is high – 10 points, but as a way to use up points and get something sweet, it is a great treat!!  This could also be good eaten with milk as a cereal!

               On the creative front:  I have finished the hoodie for my iPhone.  I have gotten a lot of comments on it and generally people think that I am very strange!

The current project is a amigurumi of Sailor Moon for a swap that I am doing.  I am really enjoying this pattern.  I think that I could start using this as a base for making other dolls as gifts for people!

     

A Full Fiber Diet

Most people in my life are aware that after my two children, I have two major loves in my life: the fiber arts (knitting, crocheting, and hopefully one day spinning) and food! Unfortunately the combination of fiber and food has gotten me into a lot I trouble. I am majorly overweight (read: 80 pounds) and majorly in debt.

I cannot blame the singularly on one issue. I have been struggling since getting out of grad school because I of course timed my graduation perfectly with the economic downfall of our country. I also know that I don’t have the best spending habits. I am driven by want and desire. When I decide that I want something, I have to have that thing. It doesn't help that I married a man that has similar impulsive tendencies. Also add into this recipe a dash of depression and viola!!!! We have DEBT!!!

In the last handful of years I have been getting myself to a manageable place. This habit of change has been fuels by the birth of my two boys, a year apart. Yes... We are Irish! I want to do better for them and I do t want them to know want when they are old enough to know the difference.

Now that I have addressed one major problem in my life it is easier to see the two other growing issues... The growing waist line and the growing fiber stash! Lets address the easy one first. I have bins and bins of yarn. It of course all has projects designated, but there is one major problem.. We live in an incredibly small apartment with limited space for things to be “out and visible”. All of my yarn is in big boxes in the closet. I have no idea what I have. I have a hard time getting into the closet to see it. So that means, when I start a new project, I inevitably go out and get more yarn!!! This does not make for a good situation for either the budget or the stash issues! In the last few months, I have been doing much better using what I have on hand that I can get access to. My dream…to one day get out all of my yarn and create a catalog of what I have so that I can “shop” to my heart’s content in my own yarn store.

The growing waist line is a bigger issue. This has been many years in the making. In the past 6 years I have had two MAJOR surgeries and 2 kids (both c-section). Talk about taking a toll on a body. During this time, I have moved 4 times, changed jobs twice, gotten married, and lost my grandmother. Talk about stress! I have also been battling depression. I have not been formally diagnosed, but having worked in the past in the mental health field, and having a strong family history of depression….. well you can put 2 and 2 together. All of this has lead me to find comfort and solace anywhere I can. The easiest place to find those two friends is in the kitchen. You can take anger out with the chop of the knife and feel the warm embrace of an old friend with a soup or hot cocoa. Because of this I have ballooned up to 80 pounds of extra weight. Because of some joint issues that I have, it is hard for me to exercise in the way that I would want to. And because of my schedule, it is hard to find the time. But really, it is just easier to make excuses. I know what I have to do to lose the weight and yesterday I recommitted myself. I have set myself a lofty goal of 10 pounds by Thanksgiving, a mere 4 weeks away!

Now to the reason for the title of this post… A full fiber diet! I have set my goals, lofty as they may be… 10 pounds in 4 weeks. I know that I can do it if I try really hard… To make a big goal less scary there should always be a prize!! I have set my prize and I am excited! I stumbled onto a website/yarn store that has a great web presence and following. I have spent a lot of time browsing through their stock and had to dry off the screen a few times because of the drool.. This is luxury yarn, more expensive than what I usually purchase. But, there is something special about working with fine yarns… it moves faster across the needles… it is kinder to your hands… it is…an experience…. I want to thank The Loopy Ewe for inspiring me. For each 10 pounds that I lose, I will be making a purchase from this website or a luxury yarn for me. I will make something for me. I find it difficult to carve the time out to work on a project if it is for me… but I deserve the time and the dedication. So I am going on a full fiber diet! I will be consuming more fiber in my quest to lose more weight and to gain more fiber!!!