Poncho, poncho and more poncho

Well, Jess just came in to my office and her spanish teacher wants me to make her a poncho, just like the one I did for Jess. Doesn't matter what it costs, just make her one I was told. What a dilemma. I don't like being put on the spot or under pressue to finish something, that's why I normally don't do anything for money; but she's a member of the teachers union that I work for, Jess' teacher and she oogled over the silly thing so guess I will do it. She mentioned this yesterday, but didn't know the teacher was REALLY SERIOUS. Jess did explain to her that I had issues with my elbow and arm and it may not get done quickly...no matter....just get me one. Well, off to the store for more yarn and add another WIP to my list which by the way I hope to be able to figure out how to post on the sidebar soon.

If you receive the Mary Maxim catalog (you can also view online) The latest Spring Sale 2005 (catalog vol.473A) has a beige poncho on the front. It's knitted and I don't enjoy knitting as much, but I looked at it really hard and I'm going to duplicate that with crocheted blocks for Jess. I'm doing several different stitch patterns and we figured we needed about 36 blocks, so she wants 36 different colors - I've finished about 6 I think. We picked out an off white in Caron Soft to edge each one so they're all uniform and it doesn't look funky as I join them. My image of it is really cool - hope it turns out okay. more on project that later...

Some more catching up....

I thought I'd posted my last blog, but oh well....when you get my age the mind starts to slip. :)

I've also been having a lot of issues with my computer at home and don't always have time here at work to update. I did finally get my puter up to date with Windows XP and it's really running great lately. So......I also need to find out how to comment back to someone who comments on my blog. Jenn and Mitzi posted comments and I'd like to say something to them -- can anybody help me please. I'm just not good at this stuff - anyway thanks for all the comments. I'm still here and my arm is doing fine most days. Jenn, if you send me your email I'll let you know the details (yes my whole arm is affected)

I have been crocheting like crazy. I finished the poncho on Monday - it's awesome and I took some pics, will download them to the computer and I've emailed Marvie for her cheat sheets to figure out how to post them.

I'm going to try to post at least once a week. :) I think I'll shoot for Friday's or Monday's when I have off. I can put that on my agenda and take care of it after the girl goes to school at 6:45 am. Hopefully, I'll be able to get on a schedule.

No title, just catching up

I have been remiss in blogging lately. Life gets busy and I don't know how the rest of you find time to write every day. I'm lucky if I get a shower and eat some days. I work part-time outside the home so those days I definitely shower, dress and eat, but the other days, wow, time just gets sucked up by who knows what. I've not crocheted in I don't know how long....weeks.....my "tennis elbow" is feeling much better so I will probably start up again soon. I have many W'sIP - too many actually. I need to finish that lovely poncho for DD, it's about 3/4 done; I've also many small things in the works and my ultimate project; the afghan for my sister from the squares momma left behind; but that's something to share in a separate blog. Will do soon.
I really need to take pictures too.

I'm very jealous of you who can put all that fancy stuff on your blogs. I need to investigate some more or ask the 14 yr. old how. She informed me of the process by which you make the 'buttons' - I was totally blown away. Oh well, I'm sure there's a lot of stuff I know about these 'puters that some of you don't. I just don't know much about the fancy schmancy graphics and layouts that you all create.

Just stuff....

Haven't posted for two weeks..have not been able to crochet until just a few days ago. My arm/elbow is feeling much better since I've been resting it. I started working on what I call "sink mats" I have a bathroom sink with a small vanity area and I can't stand it when it gets water laying around from wet hands, etc. It's gotten worse since I started Flying with FlyLady.net So I was putting a washcloth folded in half longways and setting the soap dispenser, etc. on it. Duh, I can use cotton thread and make something prettier than a wash cloth, so I did. Used the varigated yarn from Peaches and Cream and make a few 5" x 9" and a couple smaller ones. Anyway, I've been doing a little and the ole arm isn't hurting too bad, so I hope to be able to finish the poncho I started for Jess and my wimple.

I took that Nerd quiz I saw on Compulsive Hooker's blog. I'm not a complete nerd, but I'm not hip either. I knew that, my DD tells me I'm not hip all the time. In fact she tells me I'm "really old" Huh, she'll get here one day.




I really need to put some pictures on this thing, but I'm not so good with all the fancy, schmancy stuff like Kari and some others are. I've got to figure out how to do that stuff. I'm just lucky I can get the blog to show up.

Well, it's getting past my bedtime...so I guess I'll shut up and go to bed.

"It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood"

I really did enjoy Mr. Rogers. Oh well.

It's gorgeous out today. Sunshiny and bright blue skies.

My computer has been acting stupid lately and I've had no patience to deal with it so I haven't blogged for a couple of weeks (I don't always have time at work like I'm doing now). Coupled with the fact that my arm is killing me I have not done any crocheting for two weeks until last night and then I only whipped out a lip balm tote for DD. I have been giving my elbow a rest and it appears that along with the fact that I re-arranged my desk at work and home so that my right arm is laying on the desktop, my elbow is feeling much better, tho not completely pain free.

I have so many projects in the works that I'm starting to feel frustrated. I don't know what's more frustrating the computer issues or not being able to crochet. I have been getting more chores done though and my husband hasn't complained about me sitting "playing with my yarn all night" - he's only joking of course, but I know it irrates him.

My IT person here at work told me another thing that I could do to see if the computer starts acting proper - so maybe tonight I can check it out and blog some more.

Last week my DD, sister and I went shopping and I got some of that crazy yarn you make socks out of that turns into a pattern or whatever. Well, I'm not a sock person, too complicated, but I think I'll try a skinny scarf or something for DD. I also bought more of Sugar & Cream cotton yarn for dishcloths, etc. I love that stuff - it's so durable. I make a lot of the lip balm totes out of it, doesn't get fuzzy or anything.

Gotta get back to work before the boss lady gets made to me.....later

"Oh the weather outside is frightful...."

Well, we are above the ankles deep in the white stuff here on the East coast. It's very cold and very wintery. I love snow, but I don't love going out in it. The poochies are having a blast. The littlest, Lizzie, is a doxie and she just about froze - I had to thaw her little legs out and now she's whining to go back out. It would be a great day to sit my buttski on the sofa and just crochet my heart out, but I have so much to get done this weekend. Maybe I can justify an hour here and there after I accomplish some decluttering.
I really need to get my wimple finished and I need to fix the clasp on Lizzie's sweater that I crocheted her - she got mad and chewed the buckle completely off - both pieces of it!! She's a PITA, but cute and loveable.
Well, I'll check in later. FlyLady calls......by the way, I think I found her site from Kari's profile. I can't remember any other place that I saw it, so thank you Kari - I've already flung about 75 lbs.
later....

update

I can't believe a week has gone by and I haven't blogged. I have been so busy. I found the FlyLady.net site and boy do I need her. My house is a wreck, I keep everything imaginable. My husband is always telling me to get rid of stuff. Well over the weekend I did. I cleaned out 2 kitchen cabinets and threw out 3 kitchen trash bags full of stuff - some of which I haven't seen in years. I have lots of room in just those 2 cabs alone. But, babysteps, I don't want to burn out. If any of you out there are clutterbugs or messies like me, you need to go to flylady's site and get started. It's easy to follow and makes you feel good.

My crochet projects are coming along slowly. I have developed tennis-elbow (actually swimmers elbow) from taking a swim fitness class at our local gym and boy does it hurt to crochet some days. It's really difficult to pick up a coffee mug or scratch my note, etc. Other times, I don't know the elbow is there. Anyway, the wimple is coming along nicely, won't be long beore I can wear it and just in time, we have snow here in Westminster Maryland and will be getting more this weekend. I'll just have to bite the bullet and finish it.

Well, the Wine Red Heart Plush is another story. Boy is it a real doozie to work with. I think I frogged it 7 times before I decided to switch patterns and found one that is easier to do with this yarn. It's the '70's 3-color poncho pattern I found on crochetpatterncentral.com - it's fast and easy to work up and the "holes" aren't too big. Jess didn't want anything too open. I have about 12 rounds done and I'm very happy so far.

I hope to get some pictures this weekend - we'll probably be snowed in for a few hours so I won't have any excuses.

I also hope to post something at least every other day. I miss doing this. It's like keeping a diary, only the whole world can read it. Got to go back to work....later

Some projects that I've done....

By this time last year, I finished crocheting 4 baby afghans for friends who were having babies (one had twin girls). I'm currently working on many projects which seems to be the norm among us crocheters. I finished a pair of leg warmers for Jess - she'll wear just about anything and they're coming back into style. Started and finished another pair for her.
I've completed several skinny scarves for her and my latest project is a simple wimple that I saw on Dot Matthews site. It's really simple, I've completed about 35 rows so far in an Autumn Red from Caron - OOOHHHH it's soooo soft.
I've been whipping out little lip balm totes that I conjoured up. I figured, if I can come up with a way to make a water bottle holder, (I looked at the one my sister had purchased) then why not use the same approach and make a tote for my lip balms. It worked. I'll post pics after I take some. lol Jess wants a poncho - homemade of course and I just purchased some wine colored Red Heart Plush yarn and I'm going to get started probably tonight. Will post the outcome later.
Well, that's all for now.......

Getting Started

Well, like I said in my intro, I really never knew that blogs existed. It seems quite fun so far. I want to thank Kari Holtz for answering my email and getting me started with blogger.com.

I figure I can share some of my projects with others in the world who also love to crochet. I can complain about life, teenagers, etc. and no one has to listen to a verbal complaint. You can just skip reading the part you don't like.

I've written down several patterns for stuff and I have many favorite pattern sites that I can share.

I'm currently working on many projects which seems to be the norm among us crocheters.
I've done many projects and I'll hunt out the photos and post them later.

If anyone wants to communicate, please feel free to email me, etc. I'm a homebody, only work part-time outside the home and love to crochet, sew and dabble in other crafts.
Thanks for reading, and again, thanks Kari