Crochet and Knitting Books

I'm pretty excited to have found these 2 books at Half Priced Books, plus that particular day there was an additional 30% off. I got a Christmas present while there too, but.......shhhhhhhhhh can't show that.

The Readers Digest looks to be a good how to type book with great details and pictures about how to make certain stitches and I really need that type of help. The 2nd book, Filet Crochet has some darling patterns that would make some nice afghan's or squares for afghans. I'll be using yarn though and not thread. I highly recommend both books and suggest you call your local Half Price Book Store to see if they have them. I already removed price sticker for the knitting book and sorry to say, don't remember what I paid for it; but thought it was a good buy at the time.

Anyone have these books? Funny, I learned to crochet first and have lots of separate pamphlet type patterns like from Leasure Arts, but lately have been more into books with knitting how to's. What's your routine? I have more patterns than I could ever make, and often look at them for ideas; but with crocheting have often not really followed the pattern. Much the way I cook....hum..........I'm seeing a pattern here of not using the patterns. lol

How Green Can it Get?

Seriously, how green can it get? We've had sooooooooo much rain and cool nights I can't remember a spring or early summer when things have been sooooooooooo green. This is my backyard which is constantly in need of mowing due to the rain and the cool nights. Click on picture to enlarge so you can see the beautiful yellow Stella De Oro's. Normally the fire pit isn't in the yard; but behind the shed; but you can see the mound or what's left of the mound the tree people have left. Yes, I'm still hearing chain saws. Think this might be day 10! Up and down the entire neighborhood trees are being trimmed and cut down because they interfere with the electrical wires. It's a relief really, we've had so many power surges and little electrical outages this should help........but the noise is getting to be a bit much.

Fun and Funky

This is FUN, and funky to my way of thinking. Purchased this yarn some time back for a gift; but was delayed in getting it done. Rolling this from the hank to the ball to use was a job and a half. I spent about 4 hours working on it; then took it with me this past weekend where Julie got it done. She likes the puzzle and likes playing with all the fibers. I've counted 8 different fibers mixed here, and they do catch on themselves both when rolling into a ball and while knitting.

The suggestion from my LYS when I purchased this was to use to size 13 and knit straight. They also suggest lengthwise not width wise in order to see the colors and textures develop. I used most of their suggestion in that I am knitting lengthwise and one of my needles is a 13. I chose a 6 for my 2nd needle feeling it would be way to open, prone to pulls --stretching using only 13's. I think the 6 on one side helps to give it a bit more body? As a result is it going to be more narrow, or am I stretching the yarn where it will end up wider? These things always confuse me a bit. Bigger needles make bigger stitches, but also use more yarn. Anyway, I LOVE the fun in seeing how this changes as I continue to work on it.

Rolled and Ready and Beaded!

Two fun new hanks of yarn with beads. This is called Mango Moon Chakra. These hanks are only 75 yards, little pricey to buy lots at $25.00 each..........but looky looky. I love them, and the colors are divine in my opinion. Got these last wk-end in Port Clinton at a fabulous yarn shop I highly recommend called "Just For Ewe". I wasn't going to do anything with them until I finished a few projects............wasn't is the key word here.
The orange here doesn't show up as well as it does in the first photo. Must have been my lighting. Anyway, couldn't stand it; so got the 2 hanks now rolled; which means their ready.........right? lol How many projects should one have going at the same time? Is there a limit? I think NOT!

Now I mentioned the price being a bit pricey at $25.00 for only 75 yards/69m...but, this is hand spun in Indonesia and according to the label provides safe shelter, health care and education to families in Nepal and Indonesia. I need to check into the cause I bit more, but wanted to pass that along to you. Things like that make a big difference to me on how I spend my money. AND Christi at the shop was wearing a green-purple version of this yarn in a skinny necktie of sorts that really only needs 1 hank.............so. Stay tuned for when this stash turns into a WIP (work in progress for my non knitters and crocheters) and a FO (finsihed object).

The label goes onto say: 30% recycled viscose, 66% cotton, 3% spandex, 1% beads/stones. Love that part of it is recycled!

Do You Remember?

Don't be afraid to show your age here. Do you remember this?

As with all pictures, you can click to enlarge. If you're really younger you might not even know what this is a picture of. But...if you're as old as dirt like me; or if you've lived in small town this might bring back a fond memory. This is an active post office, with the old style brass mail boxes in the small town of Urbana Ohio. I recently had business there related to the needs of my 90 year old Aunt and seeing this brought a smile to my face so thought I'd share my smile with you in hopes it did the same for you.
Look at the beautiful ceiling with the molding. Amazing what one can enjoy while waiting in line at the post office. I often have my camera in my purse and was glad this day was one of those occasions. I've always enjoyed older buildings, they have so much more character to me then new buildings. This is art, you really don't see this in new buildings that are thrown up over night. I asked the postal worker how old the building was and if memory serves me right she said it was built in the 20's.

Now this is a ride! Look at this beauty. I've whited out the license plate but really wanted to share this with you. When Daddy and I got out of the car at the nursing home/rehab center there in Urbana we both said WOW...look at that. Now I'm not really a car buff but this was in mint condition or at least it looked like it to me inside and out. In small towns, people apparently leave their car windows open and doors unlocked! I'm guessing this is a 1957; though from reviewing the years...I'm not positive. Regardless of the year I hope you enjoy it. Anyone besides me remember riding in these beauties...or better yet remember snuggling in one of these? Come on now, be honest!

Car Repairs Make Women Shutter

Who can get along without a car? Not many people. But, when something goes wrong they are a royal pain. The car world is no longer a "Mans" world. You take the car in for repair and often because you're a woman, they tell you everything under the sun needs repaired. I know we've all been there and hate it. Do you know what they're talking about when they banter around words like water pump, air filter, or head gasket? I don't!

I'm not one for kicking the tires, or spending extra money or fancy wheels. I just want a car to get in and drive and get where I'm going safely. When I pass a Hondo, Acura, Chevy or Toyota Corolla on the freeway; I don't know one from another; nor do I care.

Finally, a repair service women can trust. Repairpal gives us the ability to manage repairs on line, to ask questions, to check car reviews, to get FREE estimates of repairs so when we need to take the car in; we can feel confident. You might be traveling for business or on vacation with the family when your car needs attention, no matter you can search for Chicago Auto Repair, Miami, San Francisco or a host of other cities to find a trusted mechanic for your needs. Repairpal has recently teamed up with Aol and AARP. Book mark the site, so when you're in need help is just a click away.