Hope and a Prayer Well, I got my yarn from knitpicks and have begun the tank top. Three times to be exact. God! have I mentioned that I hate hate hate making clothes? and yet I cannot bitch about no cool crochet patterns if I don't try out the crochet clothes. After all that is really what I'm bitching about.

Anyway, I frogged the top twice because the gauge was off. Not because of ME--gasp and finally on the third go around I said F*** it and am going ahead with it even if I have to squeeze myself into this thing once it's done. Now, about the yarn. YUMMY soft! like butta' but the color is a little on the pink side for my taste. Oh, don't get me wrong; I'm making this top regardless of color or size just to prove a point to myself. Besides, I have more yarn and more summer tops on my list of "to do's" and if I quit now over things such as size and color--well, I may never try again. We can't have that. On the plus side the suede yarn for the edging is my saving grace in all of this (here comes the prayer part): I just pray that all I need is one skein like the $#@!**^@* pattern said because ELANN has sold out of it! Pray with me sisters and brothers or this could get ugly.

Have a great day. Peace all~
DAWN  ¶ 1:20 PM |

 
Spring Yarn Swap from Donna (aka: NinaKate)--Good Stuff!   ¶ 1:01 PM |

 
Yarn from Elann.com for my shrug and my lacing on the summer top.   ¶ 1:00 PM |

  Yarn-a-palooza! Wow, I got home from work last nite and it was like yarn-a-palooza in my living room. One of my orders from Elann's arrived (love them, by the way--super fast delivery) and my last package from the Crochetville Spring Yarn Swap! Woohoo--thank you so much Donna for the awesome package! In the Elanns box we have some cool blue yarn that I'm gonna make a shrug out of and the other suede type yarn is for the lacing in the tank top I'm gonna make when my yarn from KnitPicks arrives. In Donna's box we have a large assortment of yarns to choose from and I can't wait to begin using them!! To make my addiction even sicker, my Walmart has their new yarns out and I have to show some form of restraint. They now carry the LB Suede (yeah!) and some new colors in the homespun plus a terry type yarn that is similar to Amore. Help! I went cheap and bought one skein of Caron Simply Soft in "embroidery print". It's like a fiesta in a ball!! It was just to happy and pretty not to take home. I think it's gonna become a little purse, cause I want to carry the happy colors with me wherever I go.

See, isn't that happy?

On the doily front. . .I have 6 rounds more to go!! Yippie! It is looking so good--I must say, I love a square doily. The pineapples are done and now it is a matter of framing them in. I also bought a copy of Interweave Knits (and if I were a knitter, I'd get me a copy cause they have some cute patterns in it) anyway, in it they announce that the Crochet edition is coming out on SEPTEMBER 7! did you get that- - SEPT. 7 mark your calendars.

Okay, I'm all linked out in this post so enjoy the yarnie goodness I have posted and I'll talk at you later.
Peace all~
DAWN
  ¶ 12:38 PM |

  Doilies Aren't Square/Or Are They? I would like to thank BRANDY of Stitchin' Etc. for posting the link to the latest doily that she will embark on. I love it and have started it myself. I'm on round 9 and it is looking so good. I'm using a size 3 cotton so it will be larger than the pattern says but that is perfect. If I have enough thread I will make about 3 of them to go on the shelves of a corner unit in my massage room. When I saw this square pineapple doily I just had to have it. Thanks Priscilla Hewitt! your patterns are Grrrreaaat!

I needed a small project to keep me busy until my yarn for a tank top comes in. I was making a top but frogged it for the second time because the yarn just wasn't right for clothing. So I ordered some nice sportweight cotton from Knitpicks (I picked Orchid) and have my pattern from an old Crochet Fantasy ready to go. Remember the old Crochet Fantasy (ahh, that was a nice magazine for crocheters. Not like the one they have out now, full of grandma type patterns--). Tip for magazine editors. . .LOOK AT THE KNIT MAGS OUT THERE, RE-CREATE THE PATTERNS IN CROCHET AND PUT IT IN A MAGAZINE FOR CROCHETERS! DUH!!!!!

Today is "pamper me day". I have my parafin wax melting away in the pot and I have my tub ready for my feet to soak and I have my nail color all picked out (although, I won't actually paint my fingers and toes until Deperate Housewives are on. . .what else would you expect me to do while watching?). There will probably be a facial in my future, but not until tomorrow morning when everyone is gone and I can look geekie without all the funny comments and snickers. Mmm, snickers. Sorry. I haven't had a good breakfast yet. Just Coffee!!

Have a great day everyone and take some time to paint your nails (or buff them if you are not a polish person).
Peace all~
DAWN
  ¶ 9:04 AM |

 
The tiny red sweater for the Project. If a little fairy gets cold in the nite, she can wear it. Not flattering, but functional none the less.   ¶ 10:51 AM |

 
Here is the Petal Stitch Scarf. Lovely.   ¶ 10:50 AM |

 
Close-up of the Petal Stitch Scarf. I combined two leftover yarns I had (they are both cotton/silk/rayon blends--much like we are).   ¶ 10:49 AM |

  Some F.O's Well, long time no blog. Really, I've been busy. Between work and home and crochet. . . it's a good thing breathing is automatic. I do have some finished objects to show you in case you are tired of seeing my son all gussied up. The first one is for the Red Sweater Project. Check out the link I posted to read all about it. It is a tiny red sweater to hang from a tree to represent one lost soul in the Iraq War.
This project is an art installation that was inspired by the war in Iraq. Its purpose is to spread public awareness, encourage thought, and inspire discussions about war and current events without promoting a specific view.
This quote was taken from their website. It explains the project quite well, I think. Anyway, I'd love to see this tree in person after all the little sweaters are in place. What a sight it will be.

Next up is the scarf I created from the Petal stitch pattern that so many are doing in a shawl inspired by Jessica Simpson that she wore on like the first season of her show Newlyweds (and ironically hasn't worn since. . .). I think that was about 3 run-on sentences. I appologize for you grammar freaks, I mean nuts, I mean aficionados.
Anywho, I have been torturing myself for months trying to break the code on this frickin' stitch!! and when I say frickin' you know what I mean. I am lucky to have accomplished this here scarf. I have it down pat and even though many of you may want instructions, I'm afraid it would entail my head exploiding and I'm not really into that happening. So, go here Flower Stitch and figure it out yourself. Sorry to be so brutal, but once you get a stress headache over it, you will understand. I did however vary it a bit to come up with the scarf, otherwise it adds a top petal for another row (which I didn't want). To make a long story short: I LOVE THIS SCARF. It's hip, its cool and it's quick to make and if I hadn't finished off my partners scarves already, I'd give her this one too. But I have other plans for it.

I have some birdie pictures to share but I will save that for another day when I need to post (possible this weekend or Monday). I have to work Saturday so the chances of me posting are like none. I have three long massages to do and probably before tomorrow morning there will be a few more added to my schedule.

Happy Earth Day--go out and celebrate this great planet that supports us and make a real effort to make EVERYDAY eathday so we can do something nice for her for a change.
Peace all~
DAWN  ¶ 10:18 AM |

  May I Recommend. . . Not much to say about crochet right now. I'm still pluggin' along at the few projects I'm in the middle of. I am really really really trying not to buy anymore yarn at the moment (blasphamy!) but I'm not sure how long I can hold out. The walmart is clearing out space for some new stuff-Yikes! Not only that, but I really really want some recycled silk from KnitPixie.

Anyway, I just wanted to pass on some musical info for those interested. Cold Play has a new CD coming out. Sorry, don't know when (but if you do, please tell). I heard the new song off it on the radio this morning and it was GOOOD. Also, my song of the moment. . .FEEL GOOD, INC. by Gorillaz. Love It!! could listen to it over and over, it has such a groove to it that sticks in your head and makes you want to move. Pull it up on the internet and give it a listen. The video for it is pretty cool, too. FEEL GOOD, INC. . .my pick of the moment.

Have a great day!
Peace~ DAWN  ¶ 12:01 PM |

 
They're so cute. Love the dress!   ¶ 1:38 PM |

 
Is that a James Bond wanna be right there or what. Look out!   ¶ 1:37 PM |

 
The pinning of the rose. Look at all the faith in my sons face as I jam a long sharp pin in his jacket. Notice the glee on my other sons face in the background. Ah, brotherly love.   ¶ 1:35 PM |

  Jr./Sr. Prom 2004 Wow, it is over and done. All prom goers are back home and the nite is in the history books. My son and his girlfriend look so cute all dressed up in their matching attaire. Her dress is so pretty. I did her makeup for her cause her mom didn't feel comfortable doing it. Hmm, I have all boys and she has all girls and I ended up putting on the make-up. Curious. I wish I had taken a picture of what I woke up to this morning. Right outside of my sons bedroom door was a strung out pile of formal wear (his only--in case you thought this was taking a different direction). He must have begun undressing the minute he got in the door. I love the suit he picked out. It didn't have the usual lapels and was very stream-lined. It made him look taller than his actual 6' 1" frame. Yes, he is that tall at 17. As you can see, I chopped his head off for fear of not getting his date fully in the picture. Must have been all the excitement.

Okay, enough of that.
I have almost finished a project that I will post about tomorrow. Plus I have begun a lacy tank top for myself. Keep your fingers crossed. I hate making clothes because they never seem to fit right. Maybe I'll do it right this time.

Okay, for now, enjoy the photos.
Peace~ DAWN  ¶ 1:25 PM |

  Love Knot If you are like me and you do better with visuals here is the answer to the elusive Love Knot: Stitch Guides video for the Love Knot. I love this website! So grab some yarn and give it a try this weekend.

Peace~ DAWN  ¶ 7:18 AM |

  Still no sign of the koi. It remains a mystery. I just hope he is happy, wherever he may be.

My son did get the program back up for the digital camera, so I can share some of my FO's with you. The photo of the scarves is just a tease. Not that I think my swappie even reads my blog, but you know you talk out there. You know you do. . .so it's just a close up of the stitches and yarn. I'm not mailing them off yet. I have my reasons. Okay, I'm not sure if I'm gonna add more to the package or not. Sending off scarves by themselves just isn't me.



Next we have the Summer Shawl for 2005. The pattern link is in the previous post. My sons when they saw it on the camera thought it was a thong. They are teenagers, need I say more.



It is made from some knubby yarn that I got from handpaintedyarn.com. They have great yarn, but it is slow getting to you. Don't order from them if you are in a hurry, otherwise give them a try. Oh, the blue-ish scarf is done with the "lover's knot" stitch. My first try at it and I think I'm in love (hehe). It was a lot easier than I thought. I must have been having one of my interiority complex moments when I first saw this stitch and was intimadated. It was a snap. I will have to do it again on a larger project so you can really see the stitch. This scarf is only about 3 inches wide.

Proud mom moment ahead: My oldest is taking his girlfriend to the junior/senior prom on Saturday and yesterday he got his tux. Oh my God! he is so handsome. I will be posting pictures next week so if you have teenage daughters look out. That is all I'm gonna say, cause the pictures will speak for themselves.

Have a great day. Peace~
DAWN  ¶ 12:38 PM |

  Quick Blog Oh, the woes of blogging. Just when everything is running smoothly. . .bump. Our computer has been having some hiccups lately so my husband spent several hours and a ton of curse words fixing it last nite. I get on to download a couple of photos of some finised objects (yes, Virginia I have FO) and the damn program isn't working. {sigh} this is where my middle son steps in, since the reality of it is it's his camara. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to show off some of my work. Here is a tease: The Lightweight Jewel shawl from Luv 2 Crochet and two scarves for the scarf swap. Heheh.

I am batting a thousand to quote a cliche. My biggest Koi (a silver butterfly tail)is missing from our pond. Missing. . . It's not a huge pond by any means so we have a screen cover over it right now to keep out the spring tree droppings. Their is no sign of "struggle" and if a cat or other would be theif tried their luck at fishing, I think there would be some sort of sign. We have a big frog fountain standing ontop of the screen to help keep it in place and that wasn't even jostled. WHERE THE HELL IS MY FISH! Damn! he was pretty, too. Now I have a giant fan-tailed goldfish and two tiny regular goldfish. No koi (boohoo). I'm in mourning. Seriously, I get attached that easily.

See ya--Peace
~ DAWN  ¶ 10:38 AM |

  Sew and Sew Who has been busy sewing? I know, I know. . . it's me. I bought my flax seed yesterday and today I put out the sewing machine and went to town. I finished up the comfort pack that Donna created for Crochet Me . It really is a nice pattern and mine turned out wonderful. I had made some eye pillows when I was in massage school that just had pellets in them and decided to make some for my clients that were a bit nicer. So the eye pillows and comfort pack are chuck full of flaxseed and lavender and rosemary (the lavender and rosemary are from my own garden). Mmmmmm, they smell so good and their weight is so nice on your eyes and back. I heated them up and made (I say that loosely) my husband try them out. It got his seal of approval so I guess I am good to go.



Mouse had suggested using rice instead of flaxseed because of the rancid factor when the seeds are heated. Well, I had already bought the flax before I read the comments so I went ahead and used them. I will keep a nose out for anything odd and of course I can open them up and replace as needed. But thank you for the tip, Mouse:)

Okay, my fingers are itching to do some crochet, so off I go.
Peace all~
DAWN  ¶ 1:20 PM |

  Wow, what a slow week in the crochet dept. I have no F.O to speak about. I only got a couple of more rows done on the scarf and have stalled on the blanket. I am going to the health food store today to get some flax seed for the comfort pack and then I can post a photo of it before it goes to work with me.

Got my boobs squashed yesterday at my annual boob squashing party/mamogram visit. Wow, hated to see that one come to an end, not. Just hope that is it for another year.

We went to a Chinese buffet last nite for dinner and on the "dessert" cart they always have Chocolate pudding and jello and bananas in some sort of red sauce along with an assortment of cookies and dry cakes. Anyway, the chocolate pudding was rank! it was left out too long or their refrigeration unit went kerplunk, but it was sour/yuck. We let them know that they need to check it out and pull it and they did and in return they took off one of the meals from our check. Nice, huh. I don't like Chinese buffets, but my family loves them (I don't know why). I like my Asian food spicy and hot. Buffets are bland and luke-warm, always.

Anyhow, that was my exciting nite. Hope you all have a great weekend and I will hopefully have some photos to put up next week.
Peace all~
DAWN  ¶ 8:38 AM |

  Slow and steady progress on the throw for my massage room. I've kinda stalled on the scarf, but will pick that up again soon. I also need to get my yarn packed up and sent off. The order I was expecting has stalled out somewhere between me ordering and them shipping. Go figure. I have plenty to send, but I was hoping to include some yarn that was a little bit different.

It is rainy and yucky here and my husband has to make a second trip to Florida. Hopefully this will take care of it. So he will be gone for a couple of days. It is suppose to turn nice for the weekend, which by nature is unusual. I may have to work a couple of hours on Saturday (which sounds really weird to say). It's cool though because they will be cash clients instead of insurance ones, which means money that day instead of two weeks from now.

My housework has really slacked off over the past week and a half and I need to do something about it, desperately before we drown in clutter and laundry. Can I get an "amen". Maybe tomorrow. . .

There is a really horny dove in my back yard and he is trying to make it with two females! He is very aggressive. The females are ignoring him, pushy little bastard.

Have a great day! Peace all~
DAWN  ¶ 12:52 PM |

  Elusive White Butterfly
Elusive White Butterfly
Originally uploaded by DawnsRays.

I made this pretty butterfly a few weeks ago and thought that she was too pretty and needed to see people.

  ¶ 9:28 AM |

  Over the weekend, I got going on a few projects. I made the comfort pad that Donna designed for CrochetMe. It turned out wonderful. I made mine a little longer so it measures 8 1/2 x 11 1/4. It will fit my clients better that way. I can put it on their feet, back, or neck. I will probably make a couple more to have on hand.

I also got started on a blanket for my room to drape across clients if the sheet is not enough. When it is complete I'll post about it. I'm doing it in LionBrand Homespun in a dark green (I think it is called Plantation).

I also finished up the body of the Cocoon Sweater. Yes, I'm still working on it. I put it down after getting back from Vegas and yesterday was the first day I picked it back up. I am working on the sleeves. So far so good. I try it on often to make sure it is fitting properly. I measured mine from elbow to elbow, so my "shoulders" are just below my actual shoulders. If you have never read the pattern or the many variations out there, then this means nothing. It is a pattern that you have to play around with to get the right formula for your body. Pain in the ass. It better look fantastic or I'm burning it along with the instructions and will never speak of it again.

I am getting together my yarn for the yarn swap at Crochetville and will try to get those out this week. I have to get at least one out because it has to go overseas. One of my orders of yarn is taking way to long to arrive so I'm gonna have to find a substitute yarn for one of them that I ordered. How dare they take a vacation without telling me!! oh well, flexability is an art.

Have a great day.
Peace all~ DAWN  ¶ 9:12 AM |

  First Day Today was my first day "on the job". It went really well. I observed, mostly and then had a last minute appointment assigned to me. It was a one hour massage and he tipped me! yeah. Anyhow, I won't get regular hours until the end of April first part of May (that is when the massage therapist that me and 2 others are taking her place) leaves. Until then I will get scattered appointments and get to observe somemore and meet my new clients. Enough with the boring details; it was a good day.

My husband is returning late tonite and I can't wait to see him. He called this afternoon and said that his appointment went well. Now we have to see what happens Monday. Wait, wait, wait. . . that seems to be a running theme.

I started on my scarf swap scarf for Jackie yesterday and I am more than half through with it. I am going to make her two cause they are so skinny. One just doesn't seem substantial enough. It is turning out so pretty. It is a new stitch for me and I'm using some great yarn that I got on ebay several months ago. Speaking of ebay, I received some Peruvian cotton that I ordered last week (before our crisis--I won't be visiting ebay for awhile). The cottons is so soft and pretty. It is fairly thin -- probably fingering weight but will make great face/wash cloths, which is what I wanted it for. I will probably work with it some this weekend.

Have a great weekend everyone. Peace~
DAWN  ¶ 6:34 PM |