EngRish & projects

I have been working on a few projects.






The sunflower is from my garden. Yes, I still find time to garden.

I have found a really funny website. Or should I say rearry funny.
Engrishfunny.com
It makes you wonder how many times we murder other languages, even our own.
I laughed so hard, I cried and almost peed myself.

Handmade bags-Earth friendly

Do you still use paper or plastic bags for your shopping?
Maybe you could try making your own instead.

I inherited 5 yards of really loud purple and neon flowered crepe.
What to do? Make grocery bags of course.

The cashiers often giggle and say "Oh, they all match!" Which happens to be code for "Eww. I can't believe you came out of the house with those."

The picture is tame. They are more garishly purple and neon than they look.
At first my youngest son ripped them out of my “granny cart”, because we almost always walk to the store, and he screamed “Nuh-uh! I am not going if you are bringing these ugly things!”, But he recovered when I explained that we were helping the environment.

I have also been crocheting some bags out of #10 cotton, I try to make them all a little different. I get bored with repetition.

Make a bottom as wide or as fancy as you want. Some I made with a granny square 6x6 in and then proceeded to chain 5, sc in ch space all around. When you get to the top divide stitches by 4, 2 sides you want to reduce the number and the other 2 sides you will make your handles. These will hold the lighter items like fruit or vegetables. Mine fit a 4 pack roll of toilet paper. But You can make them bigger.
I will try to write up an actual pattern soon. But try Firefly's 1Bag first.

I live on a farm free pattern

List of gratitude

Sometimes I feel like this blog has become a "bitch-fest" please forgive me. I don't always feel this way. Life has been challenging lately.
I guess I should post more on the things that make me happy, or make a gratitude list.

I am grateful for.....

God
My Husband
My children
My Mother
My Mother in Law(now passed)
My grandmother
My Mimi
My Bestemama
My Aunts... all 5 of them
and the rest of my family
a place to live
food to eat
money to survive
money to splurge
money to save
money to pay bills
money to .....whatever
a comfortable bed
a sweet dog
a sweet bird
a computer
a recliner
knitting needles
crochet hooks
donated yarn
knowledge
skill
paitence
that my husband has a job
that I can school my children
that my children are safe
that I still have my health
that my family still has their health
that my MIL is no longer suffering
a flea comb
flea medicine
school materials
electricity
gas
water
a bathroom sink that is unclogged
cable
computer
internet
that my identity is still intact...I pray
that my body can still function
that I still have all of my faculties
my earings
my wedding ring
that my husband still wants me
that I still want my husband
that my husband has quite a few years off of drugs(5ish)
that we had places to go when Katrina demolished our city.
that we had food to eat
that we didn't lose anyone
that we didn't lose our home
that I still have my hair
for the grays-I have earned them
for the wrinkles-aging gracefully(I HOPE)
that my children are good kids
that I even had children
that they are boys
my stepdaughter
that she is still alive
that she didn't do me in...
that she is an adult
my step dad-Bigfoot
my extended family
my father in law
my sister in law
her family
all of my brothers and sisters
my friends
wanda
her family
that I have people who give me clothes
that I have a church
that I have my faith
that I have hope
that I have love
that I have comfort
that I have relief
that I have strength
that I have peace
that I have knowledge
that I have wisdom
that I have discernment
that I have energy
that I have health
that I have God
that I have Jesus
that I have life
that I was able to give life
that I am able to see and know those lives
that I am able to love those around me
that I can forgive, many times over
that I can be forgiven
that I can dream
that I have all of my senses
that I know love
that someone loves me
that I am able to make things for people who have less
that I don't live in a third world country
that I can be proud to be an American
for our soldiers
for those who have fought/given life/limb/sanity for my freedom
God blesses America
God blesses me and my family

This is a long gratitude list...I could continue, but I think I could be here all night.
Thank you, God- for everything.
Your daughter

knitting pics

knitted doll for cousin. My creation.

Pic's from my life

This is Maggie, she is totally freaked out by the camera.
She had the shakes for 15 minutes. I think it is the flash that spooked her.
"What is that contraption that you are pointing at me? Are you coming to steal my soul?"






A doll and clothes for someone for Christmas.

Slippers made with donated yarn from Lou/CCNG and donators from across the United States.

Free wool yarn!

Wow, I have been blessed sooo much today.
One of the ladies of our needlework guild gifted me with yarn! A LOT of yarn. All of it wool.
I have been seeing the new trend (felting) and I kept thinking, I would never spend that much money on a good quality yarn, just to felt it! But surprise I have wool yarn coming out of my ears.....
I have 400- 1 oz. balls of drab olive fingering yarn, any suggestions on a free pattern?
I would love to try socks but I have only tried 2 needle socks that have to be seamed. They work up easily, but the seams are limiting and aggrivating. Any suggestions on which socks work best(toe up or cuff down)?

Want a way to help New Orleans?
Try donating cash to our Libraries!
All of the information is there on the website.

We now have a temporary library in Mid City.
Kind of pitiful really,only about 150 books.
The boys and I were still able to find books for
their summer reading list.
Still unsure about schooling over the summer.
I am consentrating on the math and reading for fun.
I have been lucky enough to find a science experiment work book,
that I think will be perfect.(If I ever get around to it)

As far as crafting goes- I have been busy making a crochet
doll and lots of doll clothes. I am not quite sure what to do with it
when I am finished, but since everything is my own design, I may sell it.
Still not sure, I am in love with her already.
She is made like a newborn, big head and long body with skinny arms and legs.
I still have to work on the eyes though.

The garden is doing well-but the weather is strange, either
really dry and hot, or really wet and chilly.

The husband bought me a camera phone for my birthday but it doesn't transfer
pics to anything other than a phone. That really pisses me off,
but it was a nice present anyway.

Family finds....

My SD went on an attic hunt a few days ago. She found a bunch of old letters from WWII and some pattern books(in Norwegian) from some my H's Mor-Mor.
Well I kept the stamps from some of the letters, and my H's Bestemama gave me the pattern books. As I was perusing through these I found a pattern book for a sweater that is almost identical to a sweater that Silja finished for MrT.
Of course it is a kids pattern, but I have other patterns that are similar.


Unfortunately, I can't read them, but they are nice to look at.

I've been tagged!!!!

Well I have finally been tagged.
I didn't think I would be excited about this, but I am, sort of.

I have been tagged by Tabitha. These are the rules.

Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves.
Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts,
as well as the rules of the game.
You need to tag 7 others and list their names on your blog.
You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their
comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog.

1.I am still on the fence most days about homeschooling. I know this is what God has called me to do. He has shown me this in too many ways for me not to notice. This is actually our first full year, and we still have 4 more months of school work to do. When the teacher is out sick, the school is out of session. Sure helping me with my housework and other odd jobs is sometimes classified as a school day, but isn't that cheating?
2.I love, love, love, to wear sweaters, socks, and anything warm. This doesn't always work out for me since I live in the south, but it helps that I am less than 100lbs.
3. Yes! I weigh less than 100lbs. I am only 5 foot tall. Quite tiny, not anorexic.
I eat, promise. Living in New Orleans, how can you not eat. My Dad is also very skinny. Sorry ladies, I try to gain weight, honest!!!!Highest weight 111 lbs on due date with 2nd child. I was all baby.
4. I survived Katrina! Long story. We are back home now.
5. I am not a big fan of chocolate. Weird huh! I would rather vanilla, Coffee, or something salty.
6. I sleep mostly on my right side, with a stuffed pig. My husband says it "hogs" the bed.I love pigs even in my sleep.
7. Yarn talks to me.I can go through a "Wal-Mart yarn clearance sale stash" in about 1-2 months. Mostly for charity. I am self taught at crochet and knitting. Crochet not a challenge, been doing that for 13 years. Knitting, only 2 years,is somewhat more difficult since I am a combined knitter. It makes it harder to follow patterns.

talking about myself- not a problem
tagging 7 people- a problem

since I tend to take Tabitha's view on the whole forwarding thing, this time I will abstain on that.

I may have a add on later..

As for my surgery. So far mostly well. Interesting turn of events....It may not have been my eye teeth giving me all the trouble... still have pain and it is in the same spot.
I will write more about this later.

Thank you Tabitha for tagging me!

History of the Pineapple in design

I have been busy dealing with an abscess. Now on Cipro, and worried about my tendons.

Anyway, The History of Pineapple in design, is something I thought would be interesting.

Have a blessed day.

tooth ache and sweater

Other than dealing with another tooth ache I am in the process of making a knit in one piece sweater. This I hope to be for charity.
I still have a bit of tweaking to do, but I will try to post it when I am done.
Life is busy but I still work in the garden when I can.
The boys and I will be taking the next few days off of school.
We all need a break, it is Easter weekend after all.
Jesus is the reason for the season.

Freeform knit/crochet for the bored.

For those who knit/crochet, I have found a really fun website. If some of you are like me, (I hate to throw out ANY scrap of yarn) Frugal(tight-wad)and bored with the same old things. Check out this website.Freeform by Prudence, My hands are already itching to try it. I might try a purse. I have sooo much eyelash yarn left over.

Gracious Parcels project

In my net surfing of blogs I have come across a wonderful site. This is one to check out. Make 7" squares for the Gracious Parcels project for Habitat for Humanity.

coats and clark

Through my web meandering I have discovered something that may intrest knitters and crocheters who use acrylic yarn. Coats and Clark no longer are able to guarantee consistency of color in their pounder skeins.
Other than that life is still life.
Mardi Gras is tomorrow. I am so glad it is almost over.

C.H. Donations Update!

I thought I should update people on the Children's Hospital donation project. Their cup runneth o'er. So just send them blankets for now.
Ronald McDonald house is still taking items, mostly older children items. But I imagine they also need blankets.
If you are still looking for an outlet for all of your creations try calling hospitals in your area.

The sweater mistake

With my aversion to measuring or trying things on as I go, I have made a really Huge sweater.
I used one of those pattern generators that you find on the internet. I really don't know what I am doing. It is supposed to fit a size 3 or 4. I don't know what size it is, I think my husband could use it as a boat cover...... realllllly BIG! I thought something was strange when I had to start another "pounder" skein. But not paying attention and just knitting along I really did myself in. Not just BIG.... really really BIG. 95 inches across the Bust..Before adding button strips.
I cannot stress this enough. I thought maybe I would finish it anyway just in case someone might fit it , but I really don't want to insult anyone.
In the end I am going to take it apart and try something else.
I should just stick to quick items like baby caps and blankets.
I still am not sure how this latest blunder came about I guess it has something to do with gauge. I don't need no stinking gauge...LOL . I am too cockey for my own good.

Children's hospital contact information

In my efforts to get Children's hospital of New Orleans to post information about donations of Knitted or Crochet baby items, I have been somewhat unsuccessful. Here is the address

Children's Hospital
200 Henry Clay Avenue
New Orleans, Louisiana 70118
(504) 899-9511
info@chnola.org (Development Department)

They need preemie blankets 15x15 or larger.
Baby caps and other accesories are also accepted.
They will accept only Baby "soft" items. No items made out of wool, as this is too scratchy for the preemies.
Washed without fabric softener.
I like to store these in ziploc bags, it is easier to keep sets together.
Someone informed me that some preemies heads are really no bigger than your fist, just to give you an idea.
I would suggest that you send these items directly to Children's Hospital. As I do not want anyone to feel they were screwed in another "Katrina Scam".
Thank you all for everything that you are willing to do for Our New Orleans Babies.

If sending something to the hospitals (they all need help with baby items) in New Orleans seems too difficult. Try making things for hospitals in your area.
Bless you all.

knitted baby sweaters

I usually try simple quick items. This time I am trying sweaters. Not so quick.
One very cute baby sweater down and One left to finish. This was my first attempt at a knitted baby sweater. I love that it is all in one piece.
I ordered those mini in the round needles some people have been chatting about.
The jury is still out on this.
I am going to finish my second sweater now. With the mini's on the sleeves.

Hat donations

I have contacted our Children's Hospital Development Department @ (504)896-9375.
They do indeed need baby items donated. They ask that they be items made only with soft yarn, baby yarn, or soft material. I asked them to send me an email pertaining to this, as soon as I recieve this I will post it on my blog for all to see. It may take a few days. I didn't catch the lady's name, but she was very nice, and she assured me that they always need donations. So ladies and gents craft away.
Some of the items that I have made may not be soft enough so I will have to donate them to the Ronald McDonald house down the street. Yes they take donations too.

index card pattern keeper

I love to knit and crochet on the go. Pretty much anywhere I can do it, I will do it. Except church of course, but that doesn't meen I don't think about it.
To make it easier on myself, I started using index cards- The ones with the spiral attatched.
I just make a copy of whatever pattern I need and mini it, then tape it with clear tape to the front and back of the index card. I have 1 almost filled full of projects on the go. I love it. Just an idea.