Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Think Happy!

It's been a poopy couple of days for me.  Yesterday not only did a friend's mother succumb to cancer, but another friend told me her mother was just diagnosed with cancer and that it is inoperable.  One year ago today, arguably one of the best women I  have ever had the privilege of knowing and honor of being loved by passed away.  The disease she had beaten MULTIPLE TIMES finally claimed her.  Today is also my father in law's birthday, so I'm trying to think happy thoughts.  I am trying hard to use her memories to make me smile and use them on a daily basis to make me a better person.  With a heavy heart, I started to seek out pictures that would put a little warmth back in it.  I hope you feel a little happy after looking at them too!





Source unknown






Live your life and
Enjoy your day!

Kelly's shower


I went to a baby shower this weekend.  The Momma is expecting a little girl.  How adorable!  What do you get a little girl?  I have 2 very boyish boys.  We don't have many girly things in my house because I AM NOT GIRLY!  It's a personality flaw ;-)  Because of this quirk of mine, I do not like when people default to all things pink.  Pink PiNk pINk PinK pinK PiNK PINNNNNKKK!!!!  Arghhh!  Sometimes it's enough to make my head explode!  However, I found these adorable slippers at one of my favorite blogs and definitely my favorite pattern shop!  Yup, you guessed it Mamachee!  They were really quick and easy to work up and how cute?!?  (not a drop of pink either might I add!) 

Now, I did have to give in a little on this one.  Here is another pattern by Mamachee.  This one has been a huge hit among my kids as well as several unnamed adults!  I altered the original pattern to make it look like an owl.  I think the results turned out well!  You can't see all of what I did, so let me sum up.  I crocheted circles to put around the safety eyes.  I turned the wings from being horizontally straight to being diagonally vertical.  I sewed a chain onto the face for the "eyebrows" and I cinched each side of the head individually and sewed it stiff to create "ears".  I can't wait to try this again!


I was also put in charge of fruit skewers.  I wanted to use watermelon, but it's definitely the wrong season for that.  Instead, I cut up mangoes and strawberries, balled cantaloupe and bought some grapes.  When I went to put the skewers together {AGH} I forgot to stick on the grapes.  (And I was wondering why I hadn't made as many skewers as I had planned on)  Quick revamp and violá!  Put the grapes IN BETWEEN the skewers-nice!  I swear, that's how I wanted it to look anyway ;-)  I used a platter that had a little dip in the center so I could put some cranberries in and a tealight in the center. 

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Viking helmet hat





A viking hat?!?!  You have to be kidding me!  This has been, by far, the biggest hit in my crocheting arsenal!  The pattern is absolutely awesome!  I stumbled upon this hat by accident while looking at a blog that I love to frequent.  You want to talk about talented!  The woman who keeps this blog writes amazing patterns.  She seems like one of the happiest people in the world and as her blog title states, "EASY makes [her] happy!"  I was a little intimidated at first, but I bit the bullet and purchased the pattern.  It is so much easier than it looks.  The hat looks great by itself, without the horns attached to it.  I love it so much that I decided to incorporate it into a Halloween costume this year, and I will be making ones for the rest of our family for our annual Christmas card!  Seriously, you can't go wrong with a viking hat (or one of Mamachee's patterns either!)

Yummies to try

So I found some new recipes and boy was I impressed.  The first two that I tried were these.                 Steak tips with Peppered Mushroom Sauce

The blog is called Elizabeth's Edible Experience.  She is from Louisiana and boy does she have some great comfort food recipes.  You should definitely check her out; you won't be sorry!

Beth's Hat


 My goofy model!

So I made this hat for a friend's mom.  I purchased it here.  I fell in love with the cables.  It was a really fun hat to make.  I had a problem with the pattern, which is why it looks a little "candy cane" twisted.  However, I think I know how to fix it for next time.  And yes, there will be a next time because I LOVE THIS HAT!!!