The Very Savvy Snail

2011-11-03T12:58:00.000-04:00

THURSDAY, 3 NOVEMBER 2011

Wedding FaLaLaLa

Beautiful! An absolutely wonderful wedding on the beach followed a short time later with a superb reception back home...

Lovely, absolutely lovely...

Flowers for the 4th

2011-06-03T18:06:00.001-04:00

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In Progress

2011-04-28T19:35:00.002-04:00

Inspired by an email this morning...happily clicked over to the ScarletLime website and watched a few new-to-me videos by Christy Tomlinson on masking/ stenciling (scroll down to the 3 videos on this). Yep, grabbed my attention, went to my craft store for a few new goodies and spent a bit if time on this:

And this:

Ah, the fun!!! More tomorrow, have to add some squiggles and words.

By the way, pick up some paper doll books! Awesome to work with (I think!), inexpensive and I may, just maybe, I will add my husband's head on top of the paper doll for his Father's Day card.

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2011-03-01T09:46:00.001-05:00

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Mail Day!

2011-03-01T09:44:00.001-05:00

An exceptional mail day today! A package from Sarah, LadyDanio on Ravelry/Etsy, arrived! Take a look:

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It's arrived!

2011-02-07T23:26:00.001-05:00

Such excitement over a phone...but yes, that little iPhone box was quite fun to open!

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2011-01-13T10:22:00.003-05:00

Is this not the most beautiful globe lamp? Happened across it just last night on the Apartment Therapy website and I think it's just incredibly beautiful...you have to check the post from Shannon South, the designer of this...there is an awesome "lit" photo that captures the doily shadows floating across the walls and ceiling...love it! I do think I will have to try this on a smaller scale...make a frame and build upon it with doilies...

Random surfing...

2011-01-04T10:26:00.001-05:00

Happened upon this clip on another ROD'er's blog...I've never seen this sprite of a girl...have you? Love her style!

The best class in the world!

2011-01-01T00:25:00.001-05:00

Remains of the Day
Way back in October I signed up for the Remains of the Day class with Mary Ann Moss...an online class with oodles of videos, and an overflowing cornucopia of creativity...I spent many nights glued to the videos, absorbing, sifting, contemplating my journal...
Soon I was putting together pages and pages, layering this and that, adding embellishments and so on...
Then the usual happened...the need to do chores, go to work, sleep...and then: the Holidays were upon me...
But now!!! Yes, now, with the arrival of 2011 there will be time, yes indeedy...

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Happy 2011 !!!

2011-01-01T00:09:00.001-05:00

Looking forward to a year of peace, contentment and good health.

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2010-12-23T10:32:00.002-05:00

*Sigh*
Could it really be all this time since I've posted??? So much has gone on...but nevermind...we will start anew and possibly with a smattering of pics from the past year...but soon, yes, soon, an updated post with the current projects and delights.

2010-02-12T11:27:00.003-05:00

I've just updated my Etsy shop by deactivating a Snippet Bloom and sending it over to the HeartsForHaiti Etsy shop...I've been keeping an eye on that shop, buying up from various Etsy donators and now giving one of my blooms for listing. I think it will take a day or so before it's listed...I hope it sells quickly and adds much needed dollars to the cause. My little sweet Savannah's birthday is today, and I can't help but be overwhelmed, thinking how much we have in our life here...and how little they have in Haiti. I have been donating here and there, when I can, since the earthquake...and I know many of you have as well...but we need to keep donating...so please, do your part, as you can...this will take time, money and thoughts of goodwill and prayer.

2010-01-25T14:21:00.004-05:00

Here we are...almost the end of January 2010 already! I have oodles of pics to share, projects done recently and not-so-recently, stretching back to Halloween. So, here's the update for January:

While skipping merrily along in blogland, came across a few pics/posts referencing button bouquets...what an addiction this is proving to be! Here's a first-run trial of a little Valentine's Day Button Bouquet...going to add this to my Valentine's Day tree with some others...quick, easy, inexpensive, so many uses! Could use the sweet little bouquets on packages, tied around a greeting card, adorning headbands, well, you get the idea...have a go at it, you'll love them! Many, many references and tutorials on the web, check it out!

Just a sampling of packaging, I love to try new ideas out, and this little gift was for my hairdresser...(contents: Snippets Bloom, available on my Etsy)

January 24, cast on for a scrap-yarn blanket...working with an anything-goes palette...different fibers, different colors...from a Ravelry pattern find "Sediment Scraps Blanket".

Up-close, a new spin, various fibers, and sequins...I love sequins!

Super sweet baby sweater! Buttons are still not attached, as I'm still deciding on which buttons to use...I don't have immediate plans for the sweater, so I'll probably let it be until I have a baby gift deadline.

And! Finally I'm updating with pics of Halloween costume extravaganza! Picture of the headpiece...

and of my sweet Winter Fairy...

2009-12-10T11:04:00.003-05:00

Holiday preparations have begun...this little village (more pics to follow) complete with sketched Santa and his helper :-)

2009-10-03T23:54:00.003-04:00

To start with, some October delights...

Lovely isn't it? Zig and Zag Blanket using sock yarn scraps...ahhhhhhh....

October. Already. So much that I want to accomplish. I need to make a list...next post I'll start in on that. For now, a couple pictures to share from this week...

This weekend ventured out to a small Fiber Festival outside of Marshall, MI...and met Dani (of Pumpkinhaus) and Emily (of Bricolage Studio)...from Dani's booth I picked up one of her lovely little yellow spindles, and two delicious handspun yarns...

from Emily's booth I treated myself to a pair of fabulous little ear ornaments and also a cute little crocheted basket to hang from my spinning wheel...

I also had purchased an e-book from Lee Meredith of Leethal (on Ravelry)...here's the link to her e-book Game Knitting. And let me tell you, I'm having such fun with this! I started last night using Desperate Housewives as my gameshow of choice...and I need to start lists for others I watch...should I intermingle my shows with my projects or have a designated project for each show??? Hmmmmmmm......without further delay, here's my DH project...

In betwen knitting I've just gotten started on the Halloween 09 costume for Savvy...can you guess what she will be this year?

2009-09-30T09:21:00.002-04:00

Created with dumpr.net - photo fun

Well, isn't this neat??? Found it on GardenBell's Flickr pics...just a photo manipulation using my pretty little Zig and Zag Blanket photo...

2009-09-28T09:55:00.002-04:00

Silly me...while scrolling thru my blog I realized I had never posted photos from my Milkweed Shawl! I am so very pleased with it...there was a lot of new techniques in this shawl for me...lace, yes, I did it!, blocking with wires and pins!, knitting with sock yarn on larger needles (a'la lace style)...and I did it all! Quite impressed with myself :-)

Okay, now I see why I never posted a pic...I don't have a shot of it off the blocking wires...I'll take care of that in the next few days...lovely it is!

And, I have a couple other spindle yarn photos to share:

This one just started on my new spindle addition, a Trindle...

This delightful spin...

from these two single plys...

2009-09-26T17:44:00.003-04:00

Wow! Hard to believe that it's been about 6 weeks since last post! Must get up to speed...the h-o-l-i-d-a-y-s will be here before we know it...yikes!

Current works:

*Spinning, spinning, 2 spindles in progress and wheel spins...I am so pleased with my handspun collection...growing by leaps and bounds!

*Zig and Zag Blanket...ah, this is such a treat to work on! Each and every color change is so invigorating! Very difficult to put it down...keep wanting to knit one more row and get to another color...

*Learning to make pom-poms! Followed this post here...

*Halloween costume in the making...pics of supplies soon, then you guess what it will be!

*Recycling a wool sweater...then over-dyeing it...can't wait to see what happens...destined to become a hat.

*Snippets...more in the making...new colors, new trimmings...soon to go to Etsy.

2009-08-10T00:17:00.002-04:00

Some projects getting done. Yes, a lot of little things needed finishing, and one by one, it's happening. I'm glad. I've finished up a garden of Snippet Blooms.
Here's one of the blooms...

Two are sold, 4 are/will be added to Etsy. I really enjoy the process of doing them, manipulating bits and pieces of fabrics, one of my loves.

Some knitting coming along too. The Milkweed Shawl is currently on hold. I really want to get back to it, but it's a tough knit for me...the lace pattern is no longer repetitive, it changes every couple rows, so it requires much concentration from me...not always able to concentrate like that, at least til everyone's in bed for the night. So, I needed something that wasn't so restrictive for a bit: started the Aestlight Shawl KAL (via The Backwards Loop/Ravelry)...in a Miss Babs sock weight yarn, Ironweed Days colorway, purchased from a fellow Raveler's stash...now I'm almost (4 rows away) from being done with the inner garter stitch triangle section. Ah, I will be glad to be done with that portion and move to the first border section. I'm going to have to figure out how far I can go with my skein of yarn...before switching out to a complimentary color (awaiting Miss Babs' word on that one). Oh! And I have blocking wires now! Had ordered them from KnitPicks when the Milkweed Shawl was started...so they'll be used eventually anyway!

Beginnings of Aestlight Shawl...

2009-07-24T13:25:00.005-04:00

I am so entranced by this:

I've longed for a Blythe doll for many years now...just could never justify a doll and clothing collection in my ummm...*later* years... but now, well I must give in to the need! She is on her way to me and I should have her in my hands this next week! Possibly crazy/silly of me, I know, but exciting!

I had to have her though, and now I have my sweet granddaughter to share her with...she'll be very well dressed and much loved I'm sure.

2009-07-23T00:12:00.000-04:00

A little trial from BigHugeLabs...mosaic maker...

2009-07-22T11:38:00.006-04:00

Wednesday's update on my current work, a custom Snippet Bloom:

2009-07-21T15:07:00.004-04:00

Bloom in progress:

2009-07-21T09:23:00.003-04:00

A better evening last night, making up some Snippet Blooms for my Etsy shop...I (hooray!) sold a custom bloom a couple days ago and am making up a few for my customer to choose from. I'm having some trouble sending out messages via etsy with clickable pics though...very frustrating, but I've inquired on a few etsy forums so I'm sure it'll be figured out one way or another...In the meantime, I'm posting the two Snippet Blooms here...

2009-07-20T23:59:00.002-04:00

Hectic, stressful past few days. I came home from work today and the house was quiet but I really needed to de-stress a bit...so headed up to my spinning wheel and did a quick little spin. I love the state of being I can get into when I'm not overly concerned about fiber thickness...just kinda let my hands do the work and let my mind recover from the past few days...
This is about 60 yds, and I have more of the roving to spin...but I needed to spin and ply, just needed the end result to calm my soul.

2009-07-14T13:17:00.002-04:00

Time just goes by so quickly in the summertime doesn't it? I think it's been only a few days since I've posted, and wham! Days and days have gone by!
Here's a sneak peek at a project I start tomorrow! The Milkweed Shawl KAL is beginning July 15...and I bought some lovely yarn from Stef at The Backwards Loop...take a look:

I am planning on the extensive use of lifelongs along the way...I just cannot "unknit" lace patterns...no way, no how...I'd have to rip the whole thing out...so, luckily I found a fab way for using lifelines...a fellow Ravelers hint...

So for now I'm off to wind the yarn for this, get my needles out and ready to cast on. I'm about half done with a little shrug for my granddaughter, pics to come of that soon.

2009-07-08T15:17:00.003-04:00

My "miraculous" Mara shawl is all but done! And I love it...I have a few ends to weave in and then I'll do a nice blocking this weekend...but I do love it...so soft and squishy! I only call it miraculous because I think if I would've been doing this alone I would have given up in frustration and frogged it long ago. I don't know why, just had a lot of issues with the yarn-overs...I think maybe because of course being a shawl, the triangular nature of the pattern, along with the yarn-overs maybe compounded the problem. But because I did this via a knit-a-long on Ravelry, well, that saved me...so nice to have the online knitting community to bounce questions off of, what a difference it makes! Ah well, all is good now, I'm so happy to have the shawl off the needles...so without further ado here is my Mara shawl...

now I'm awaiting my yarn for the next KAL I've joined...this time the Milkweed Shawl by Laura Chau...can't wait!

2009-07-03T13:32:00.003-04:00

What an awesome mail day today!!! The mailman brought a large box to the door...and I thought, no, not my basket already! But, yes!!! Indeed it was my package from Jennie (sosorosey)! I had to do a quick photo shoot of it since the presentation was just so cute! Tied up with fabric strips from my basket...and her card on top tied with a darling little silver heart that says "made with love". I didn't even open the project keeper til just now to see the other little crochet bowl I had ordered and it is darling! Pics of that to follow tomorrow :-) Jennie also included a little magnet and a sweet little gift...Thanks so very much Jennie, you are awesome Etsy seller! The very best to work with...I am just thrilled and will be back for more!

2009-06-30T11:45:00.003-04:00

Something new for today, and it's just for me! I came across any etsy seller, sosorosey, who took custom orders for Lidded Project Keepers...now, I always need somewhere to stash my projects, so the name certainly spoke volumes to me! Jennie of sosorosey was a dream to work with online...she patiently chose combinations from her recycled fabric goodies and sent me fabric selection possibilities from which to choose...then sent "in progress" photos while she crocheted the keeper! A totally awesome experience, great fun! My keeper is complete and is shipping to me tomorrow! Here's a photo of the top of the keeper...

Lovely isn't it??? And now I've asked for a custom keeper that'll be given as a holiday gift for a certain someone...can't say here...shhhhhhh

2009-06-29T09:18:00.004-04:00

*edit 11:30am - I've completed the rose brooch...let me know what you think!

A few project photos to share...
So far I've gotten just a few rows of the first ribbing done on the Mara shawl. This yarn really is beautiful to knit with, I've enjoyed the process of this one...

Part of a swap on Ravelry...I made a few cards and am sending out one of my fabric roses too...the roses will be intro'd to my Etsy shop soon.

And this is my Jane Market Bag, pattern by Alicia Paulson...I had fun making this, though adding the little top-stitched corner edges made me nervous! All in all it was a very straight-forward pattern, I had no trouble interpreting it, no problem at all. I am thinking of making a couple for Christmas gifts this year. Christmas already??? Yep, gotta start thinking about it...I'd love to be able to make the majority of my gifts this year.

2009-06-25T18:17:00.003-04:00

Thinking, thinking, thinking...I really want to start up my Etsy shop. Just trying to get things in order around the house before I do though, seems only right I think. I don't want too much going on at once, and I really need to simplify my household, decluttering being the first thing that I need to do. I know I'd feel a huge weight lift off me if I can just simplify. Yes, that's what I've been trying to do this week and what I will continue with over the weekend.

Two swaps to mail out on Saturday. One baby jacket to sew buttons on. One pair of lovely little Savvy-size fingerless mitts to knit the thumbs onto. One little crochet hat to stitch in a larger size. The list goes on...how about your list? Do you have one? Or are you a start-to-finish type person?

And for my downtime, I need to pick out a book for my Kindle...have lots of samples on there, just need to decide. Any good reads lately?

2009-06-12T17:15:00.002-04:00

I'm trying to finish up and post pics, really I am...I'll be starting a 3 12-hour days stretch though, so hopefully I can squeeze in a bit of at-home computer time to unwind.

I'm finishing up the little Paxton test knit...awwww! So darn cute!

And, once again, I've been sidetracked by a new-to-me knitting book. It's Knit One and Embellish Too, and I'm loving it! Love the patterns in it and the first part of the book deals with recycling of yarn to expand your color collection of wools and wool mixes for the projects...truly inspiring. I'm going to be collecting and trying to recycle some too...I have visions of lots of little hats and mitts this winter. Can't believe I'm thinking that way, it's barely the start of the warm weather and I'm already thinking ahead...but they'll be quick little projects, not cumbersome to knit in the summer. And! I bought the book itself, but while looking it up on Amazon initially, I noticed it's available in Kindle!!! What??? A real knitting book? I sent myself the sample and have to admit, I haven't looked at it yet...my sister sent the sample to her Kindle and she said it just was the beginning of the book, the narrative portion. Darn! We had both hoped it would show a partial pattern so we could see the formatting on our Kindles...ah well...

So, it's off to pack up a work bag for tomorrow...I always try to tuck a little project away in case there is a wee bit of downtime...we'll see!

2009-06-07T13:41:00.004-04:00

A bit of a lapse here in posting all the photos...never could seem to remember the camera batteries when I was out and about. But now...here's a smattering of photos...take a look!

First off, my lovely Kindle cover! Beautiful, just beautiful...I wasn't sure how I'd like it, and it is kind of pricey, but oh, it is gorgeous! This is the Avenue of Trees design in Fern color, and attached is the little Tree of Life charm (freebie)...inside is my sleeping Kindle :-)

Next off, wanted to share the blooms from my garden...this is the first year bloom for the clematis.

Here's a coiled yarn attempt (first time) using a single spun from a TerraBellaSpun Party batt...lots of fun, slow going, but the results are lovely I think...I've named it Gypsy...

And lastly, photos of yarns I'm using this week...Madelinetosh yarn, from Stef of The Backwards Loop, in the Fig colorway for the Mara shawl KAL on Ravelry (on The Backwards Loop forum) and also a DK weight hand-dyed yarn I bought for test knitting a little preemie jacket...I'm thinking this yarn will be oh-so-cute, so we'll see!

for Mara shawl:

for Paxton Preemie Jacket:

Ooops, don't want to forget this cute little crochet pot I made, pattern from Ravelry...link to follow...

2009-06-02T16:34:00.004-04:00

Nothing too terribly exciting to post about...working on spinning up some roving I bought last August at the Midwest Fiber Festival. It's a nice blend of merino and tencel...really makes it kinda slippery to spin with the tencel in there, but such beautiful colors I'm having fun with it. I'm hoping I get enough yardage to use it in a little Baby Surprise Jacket (Zimmerman).

Working on some flower motifs (crochet) for the May Flower Swap on Ravelry...should have those done by tomorrow. The colors my swap partner requested are reds with medium greens. The colors I requested for myself are Halloween inspired: pumpkin orange, purple, fuschia, hot pink, wee bits of yellow, grays and lime green. My idea is that I will then crochet these together with chaining (like netting) with black, then I'd be able to use it as a table runner of sorts...hmmmm...I hope it looks as nice as I envision it being.

And, have another repeat or two of the lace pattern on the Boheme sweater. I'd think this will be done by tonite, there's a Red Wings game on and I'll be knitting/crocheting thru-out.

If all goes well I'll have some photos to post by tomorrow.

2009-06-01T12:03:00.005-04:00

My newest spin...62 yards of a 2-ply mostly worsted weight. I love the colors, and the spinning was so much fun! Just edited my photo to a much nicer one, very true to color...the skies brightened a little so I was able to capture the colors much better...now I'm happy!

So, what do you think? Kinda pretty isn't it?

2009-05-30T18:39:00.004-04:00

I've had a wonderfully relaxing, non-stressful day! Playtime most of the day...well, I did produce some things...the roses down below...and then a newly carded batt, I'm just loving how combining 4 little Loop BabyCakes produced an even more beautiful batt...

started as these...

and now I'm off to knit some more roses and work on the Boheme sweater...

2009-05-30T15:03:00.004-04:00

Working on a knitted flower, actually a frilled edge rose, to be exact. I was playing with a knitted ruffle and decided to try and turn it into a rose...and I'm loving the look of it! Photos coming very soon...just have to free up some space on my camera...be right back!

I'm back with pictures, let me know what you think :-)

2009-05-29T09:09:00.003-04:00

I finally made the purchase:

Amazon's Kindle

And...it'll be here this afternoon! Yippee! Any book recommendations to add to my list?

2009-05-28T08:57:00.002-04:00

Stayed up very late last night spinning a single ply. I have been longing to do a coiled yarn and today is the day! I'm going to spin a few more yards and then get set up for coiling...we'll see...and I'll post pics then!

2009-05-26T17:42:00.002-04:00

Ahhhh...what a nice long relaxing weekend! Lots of time off to spend doing a little of this and a little of that...so, here's my latest spin:

2009-05-14T23:27:00.005-04:00

No pics right this minute, but was checking back on some comments. I am so thankful that I have visitors to my blog...it does inspire me to keep up with it.

I was just looking at the photo of my little blanket and it seems a bit blurry to me, so I'm hoping tomorrow brings the right weather to do some outdoor shots...I'll repost shortly.

Home again tomorrow with a re-lapsed tummy-bug bitten child :-(
Talk to you later tomorrow...

2009-05-12T12:11:00.003-04:00

We had a wonderful Mother's Day together and look at this beautiful bouquet! Gorgeous, I love the intensity of the pink, beautiful!

And finally, a photo of the finished "trial run" Summer Garden blanket, BittyBaby size, just a few more ends to weave in and Bitty can be wrapped up by her little mama.

Now today finds me home with a not-feeling-so-well Savvy. The wicked flu-bug seems to have found her...hopefully it will be over soon, she's already starting to perk up since this morning. Mommy is coming home on lunch to see her sweet girl, gotta run...

2009-05-09T10:37:00.003-04:00

Whew! It's certainly been a bit longer between posts than I intended...too many work days clustered together I guess. Regardless, I have been doing some spinning lately, loving the autowrapping technique, a very "free" way to spin for me. My latest result:

I bought this batt from Sherry of Squambo (an Etsy seller). Lovely! So much glitz and iridescence, I love it dearly!

Also in the works, made a trip to the sewing machine, it's been awhile, but I was inspired by this bag, a market bag, by Alicia Paulson . Here's her pattern, the Jane Market Bag... my bag just has to have the corners stitched up and then I can post to her gallery as well. Easy to do, great pattern, love it!

2009-04-21T11:01:00.001-04:00

Update in progress...off for new camera batteries!

2009-04-16T11:55:00.004-04:00

A fellow Ravelry sweetheart gratiously sent me the pattern to her darling little egg cosy's...and her permission to share the pattern on Ravelry for these cuties!

Well, after having spent the morning trying to upload a PDF file I have run into a dead-end (for now anyway)...so here, below, is the copy/pasted version of the pattern I told Corinne I'd post for her. I'll link this to Ravelry (she's funkynitter on Rav) and keep trying for the PDF version soon.

In the meantime, check out her Eggstremely Cosy Set on Ravelry and see text below for pattern:

Crochet Chicken Egg Cosy

Colour choices are total your choice but as an example I made the outside in a pastel colour and
the inside and body parts in a contrasting dark colour. Have fun adding any design of your choice
to the completed cosy.
Note: All parts are made in the round (spiral) without joining rows
Tools: 2.5 Crochet hook
Yarn: Any that works with hook size
Skills needed: Single crochet (sc), Double ‘magic’ ring
Comb (made up of three sections A, B, C)
Large (Make one) [A]
Round 1 : Make a double ring with 5 sc ( 5 sts)
Round 2 : sc twice in each sc (10 sts)
Round 3 - 5 : sc 10 sts (10 sts)
Round 6 : sc8, sc2tog ( 9 sts)
Round 7 : sc7, sc2tog ( 8 sts)
Round 8 : sc6, sc2tog ( 7 sts)
Round 9 : sc5, sc2tog ( 6 sts)
Break yarn and slip stitch to fasten off, tuck ends inside and flatten
Small (Make two) [B & C]
Round 1 : Make a double ring with 4 sc ( 4 sts)
Round 2 : sc twice in each sc ( 8 sts)
Round 3 - 4 : sc 8 sts ( 8 sts)
Round 5 : sc6, sc2tog ( 7 sts)
Round 6 : sc5, sc2tog ( 6 sts)
Page: 2 of 4
[B] - Break yarn and slip stitch to fasten off, tuck ends inside and flatten
[C] - Leave yarn attached and continue to make-up
To make-up:
Step 1: sc3 across one side of [C] (where yarn is still attached)
Step 2: Join [A] by sc3 across one side of [A]
Step 3: Join [B] by sc3 across one side of [B] and then sc3 on other side of [B]
Step 4: sc3 across other side of [A]
Step 5: sc3 across other side of [C]
Step 6: slip st along length to close and break yarn and slip stitch to fasten off
Beak
Top (Make one)
Round 1 : Make a double ring with 4 sc ( 4 sts)
Round 2 : sc twice in each sc ( 8 sts)
Round 3 : sc1 , sc2 in next st ( 12 sts)
Round 4 : sc12 ( 12 sts)
Fold in half and slip st along length to close, break yarn and slip stitch to fasten off
Bottom (Make one)
Round 1 : Make a double ring with 4 sc ( 4 sts)
Round 2 : sc twice in each sc ( 8 sts)
Round 3 : sc8 ( 8 sts)
Fold in half and slip st along length to close, break yarn and slip stitch to fasten off
Legs
Leg (Make two) Starting at toes end of leg
Round 1 : Make a double ring with 6 sc ( 6 sts)
Round 2 - 15: sc6 ( 6 sts)
(or until desired length) break yarn and slip stitch to fasten off
Toes (Make four)
Round 1 : Make a double ring with 6 sc ( 6 sts)
Round 2 - 3 : sc6 ( 6 sts)
Break yarn and slip stitch to fasten off
To make-up:
Sew 2 toes on each side of legs at about three rows up from end of leg so when you pinch the
toes and the end of leg together they are about the same length. If desired you can catch the two
toes so they stay pointing down.
Page: 3 of 4
Body (made up of two sections)
Outside (Make one)
Round 1 : Make a double ring with 4 sc ( 4 sts)
Round 2 : sc twice in each sc ( 8 sts)
Round 3 : sc all sts ( 8 sts)
Round 4 : (sc1, sc2 in next sc) 4 times ( 12 sts)
Round 5 : sc all sts ( 12 sts)
Round 6 : (sc2, sc2 in next sc) 4 times ( 16 sts)
Round 7 : sc all sts ( 16 sts)
Round 8 : (sc3, sc2 in next sc) 4 times ( 20 sts)
Round 9 : sc all sts ( 20 sts)
Round 10 : (sc4, sc2 in next sc) 4 times ( 24 sts)
Round 11 : sc all sts ( 24 sts)
Round 12 : (sc5, sc2 in next sc) 4 times ( 28 sts)
Round 13 : sc all sts ( 28 sts)
Round 14 : (sc6, sc2 in next sc) 4 times ( 32 sts)
Round 15 : sc all sts ( 32 sts)
Round 16 : (sc7, sc2 in next sc) 4 times ( 36 sts)
Round 17 : sc all sts ( 36 sts)
Round 18 : (sc8, sc2 in next sc) 4 times ( 40 sts)
Round 19 : sc all sts ( 40 sts)
Round 20 : (sc9, sc2 in next sc) 4 times ( 44 sts)
Round 21 : sc all sts ( 44 sts)
Round 22 : (sc10, sc2 in next sc) 4 times ( 48 sts)
Round 23 : sc all sts ( 48 sts)
Round 24 : (sc11, sc2 in next sc) 4 times ( 52 sts)
Round 25-34: sc all sts ( 52 sts)
Leave yarn attached
Inside (Make one)
Round 1 : Make a double ring with 4 sc ( 4 sts)
Round 2 : sc twice in each sc ( 8 sts)
Round 3 : (sc1, sc2 in next sc) 4 times ( 12 sts)
Round 4 : (sc2, sc2 in next sc) 4 times ( 16 sts)
Round 5 : (sc3, sc2 in next sc) 4 times ( 20 sts)
Round 6 : (sc3, sc2 in next sc) 5 times ( 25 sts)
Round 7 : (sc4, sc2 in next sc) 5 times ( 30 sts)
Round 8 : sc all sts ( 30 sts)
Round 9 : (sc4, sc2 in next sc) 6 times ( 36 sts)
Round 10 : sc all sts ( 36 sts)
Round 11 : (sc5, sc2 in next sc) 6 times ( 42 sts)
Round 12-18: sc all sts ( 42 sts)
Round 19 : (sc6, sc2 in next sc) 6 times ( 48 sts)
Round 20-24: sc all sts ( 48 sts)
Page: 4 of 4
Break yarn and slip stitch to fasten off. Turn inside out.
NOTE:
- Number of increase rounds can be adjusted to suit size of egg by trying fitting while in progress.
- Round 19 is to allow for cosy to fit over lip of egg cup, this may need to be moved up or down
depending on egg cup
- Outside is 4 sc wider than inside to ensure that it does not cause the inside to pucker up when
they are joined together

To make-up:
Note: While sewing on parts they can be secured by a couple of knots as they will be hidden
between body parts
Sew Comb on to top of Outside of body, front to back, bending over point
Sew on top beak curving down, approx 6 rows down from comb
Sew on bottom beak curving up close to top beak
Sew two beads on for eyes
Sew legs on about one round above bottom of body making sure the toes are level
Put a little stuffing inside point of head to prevent it squashing flat
Place Inside body in the outside of body and adjust stuffing so the edges can meet when a little
pressure is applied to the inside part.
Crochet edge of outside to the edge of inside, note that the outside has 4 more sc than the inside
so you need to sc2 from outside to 1sc on the inside, 4 times evenly around the edge.
Add any embroidery once the egg cosy has been made up being careful that you do not stitch
through both layers of the body. Secure and hide the ends of the yarn by tying a knot at the end
of the yarn and pulling it through a gap in the crochet of the top layer so it is hidden between the
outside and inside layers.

2009-04-13T23:31:00.004-04:00

Too much...
Just too much going on the past few weeks...too much to get caught up with since vacation, too much work, too many errands, too many commitments...

But now, here's something that I've been able to play with, relax with, enjoy...

I love being able to pick up these little squares, joining them together with such ease.
I have wanted to try Lucy's method of joining but needed/wanted a more colorful selection of yarn than what I already had on hand (an excuse to go out and buy more yarn), but being my usual impatient self, the only thing I could find/afford at the moment was some inexpensive RedHeart DK/sport weight yarn...and though at the time I thought the colors were rather loud and obnoxious, I am delighted with my project! This is just a small sampling, so I could practice the squares and their joining. Now, as you can see, coming along quite nicely...

Made up of 20 squares, then I crocheted around the rectangle in granny square fashion, a round of each color...pretty colorful isn't it?

2009-04-02T23:51:00.002-04:00

Grrrrrr...can't find my size G hook! It was in the bag with my ripple-stitch-pillow-cover-to-be...and now it's not there. Guess where I'll be off to in the morning...I want to try out Lucy's new tutorial on joining granny squares together as you go. Pretty neat, take a look!

2009-03-31T23:33:00.002-04:00

Home! I'll post photos tomorrow, for now I'm just checking email and emptying suitcases, then a few minutes reading time. Just started "The Accidental Mother", anyone read it?

2009-03-24T10:40:00.004-04:00

Pay it Forward...
joined from the Blogging group on Ravelry and I'm doing it just a wee bit different...
So, for my rules, only the first 3 comments participating in the Pay It Forward Giveaway will receive a gift, but they have to be comments on 3 of my currently comment-less posts okay? So look down the list, I just started my blog a bit ago :-)

Recap of the Rules:
1. Be one of the first three to leave a comment to any three comment-less posts, with the link to your Pay It Forward Giveaway post.
2. Be willing to follow through on sending out one prize each to three lucky winners of your contest.
3. Make sure your profile has contact information available.

So that's it then! I'll just wait to see what happens! I love getting comments, I try to respond to all and need the enticement of comments to encourage me to blog.

2009-03-24T10:22:00.002-04:00

It's been awhile...I'm in vacation-land and have much to say, but no pics as yet as I'm unable to upload any at present...so I'll wait til we're home. Another week or so, well March 31 we fly home. I'm so anxious to see my little Savannah, she'll be coming to see us Wednesday night! So it's off with my oldest daughter and her boyfriend, and in with the younger daughter and granddaughter. I heard they both got their pedicure yesterday in preparation for the trip, I'll have to remember to take pics of those cute little toes...
So, I'm off to the pool or beach, or both, we'll see. The day looks to be very sunny, low 80's but it's still a bit breezy. Don't know if it's because it's March or if this is unusual. Usually we just have a mild gulf breeze when we're here (April) but this time there has been some real wind...the kind that makes you shiver when you get out of the water. I'll survive...oh yes, it's not a hard life at all!

2009-03-16T22:54:00.005-04:00

While packing up for the trip, have to take some projects along of course...little of this, little of that. Along with some dishcloths I'm working on a little girls's knitted top, and then there's my ongoing ripple pillow cover, take a peek:

Do you not love my beautiful glitzy spider and web? c'mon, just a bit? She is quite glorious and has been around for quite awhile now. She usually graces the corners of a grouping of pictures on the wall, but I wanted to try and photograph some of her shimmering beauty :-)

I'm also packing up a couple scrapbook kits that I receive on a monthly plan thru Scarlet Lime. Beautiful papers and embellishments, lots of trims and buttony things too. These two kits kinda blended together so I'm using them to make up our Florida vacation album while I'm there, that way I'll come back with a completed book of our trip. Well, that's the plan anyway. Here's a look at the stash...

And so, now I'm off, flight leaves early am, I'm packed and off to bed to try and read myself to sleep for a few hours...nighty-night...

2009-03-16T22:51:00.002-04:00

Looking at this basket of colorful cotton makes me long for springtime! I'm making great progress on dishcloths so pics of those soon I promise. There's a few balls of cotton making their way with me on vacation so I should return with a handful of new cloths. Til then, just the lovely colors to look at...

2009-03-14T23:20:00.009-04:00

I'm starting early, this just may be my Sunday post. Lots to do Sunday, probably not as much computer time as I'd like, so, just a photo collage of the cards I made for Valentine's Day this year...I know we're way past Feb. 14, but these are L-O-V-E cards...appropriate for any day, don't you think?

2009-03-14T12:31:00.004-04:00

Couple of things for today...I finished the larger of the St. Paddy Day dishcloths, it's not blocked yet, but I love it!

The lovely turquoise project at the top is one of Kristen's patterns from her new pattern set "Spring Cloths"...I'm doing the umbrella first and it's almost done! And I suppose you've noticed the little figurine?
Now, do you not think this is the cutest little cow/steer? I'm not a cattle expert, but figure with the darling gold horns, must be a steer? Look down here for a better view...

oh my, just too sweet isn't it?

2009-03-13T23:33:00.006-04:00

I'd like to share a little ballerina I purchased recently on Etsy...she's set atop a pincushion, made by BethsBagz, and I just adore her!

Isn't she the cutest??? Makes me smile everytime I look at her. Whimsical, yep, that's what she is.
*Beth listed some of her pincushions on Ebay today, hurry, go take a peek!

2009-03-12T22:05:00.004-04:00

Will you think I'm crazy if I tell you I just got back from seeing "Twilight"??? I had to... last chance for me to see it at the theater. I know it comes out on DVD in a week or two, but I really wanted to see it on the "big screen". I totally enjoyed it. The first part was a little cheesy, but by the time Edward took Bella to meet his family I was hooked...and then I couldn't believe when it was over... I will be anxiously awaiting New Moon. Anyone else like Twilight?

2009-03-12T15:31:00.007-04:00

Well, to start with, I'm trying, striving to achieve a good amount of organization for 2009. We'll see how far I get, but I have made progress.

Knitting lures me away from a lot of my routine tasks but I have started cracking down and trying to do the routine first, then reward myself with knitting or crafting time.

And another thing...I get so far off track that I seldom post my finished items on Ravelry...well, that has to change...so I've just posted a small dishcloth that I did, it's for St. Paddy's Day, a shamrock of course, and I'm just a wee bit away from finishing the larger cloth! These two cloths were posted as a freebie by the very talented Kris from KrisKnits. And here is my smaller one:

ahhhh...isn't it just so cute??? Can't wait to finish up the large cloth tonite...just a few rows to go!

I'm anxiously awaiting Kris' Springtime Cloth collection, and I'll be starting those pronto!
Oh, by the way, there's a link to KrisKnits on the sidebar...be sure to look at all her luscious cloth collections she has for sale on the right hand side of her page....yummmmmmm!!!