Well, even though I haven't been blogging a lot I have been crocheting. The kids were taking portraits and I also wanted to use this as a moment to display one of my creations. I thought I would use ribbons for the shoulder straps, but H.P. kept pulling at them and unraveling the ends. So, after that failure, I constructed these straps. I still need to find some workable fasteners though. The detail on the front is very beautiful, but it doesn't really offer a secure posting place for buttons. I also need to take some time to edit the pattern. Hmmmm, I'll figure something out. This week has not been a great one. Among other things, not only does H.P. have a mysterious fever that the daycare folks forgot to inform me of when I picked her up, but D.J. fell face first on the pavement at school. I got a call at work today with the scary news. His two brand new front teeth were bleeding, but not loose. In any case he has to wear two fat lips around for a while. On top of all of these issues and not being able to keep up with the laundry (I have to look for a pair of draws for that boy tonight), it's been raining so much that you have to rush home to mow the lawn whenever the sun comes out. I recently terminated the gardeners who were were hardly doing any work and trying to take advantage of me. Therefore, I have to tackle the problem of the back yard lawn that's basically completely overtaken by weeds. The weed and feed won't work if you apply it one day and then it rains the next. This week's forecast has been good, but I've been lazy. Or let's say, I haven't had enough to give to every area in my life that needs attention lately. Pray with me. I've also started another project. This WIP is a serious adaptation of what the designer calls a christening shawl. I plan to use it as that duvet cover for the toddler bed that I never got around to designing myself. I'm working it in cotton thread because the pattern calls for three cones of this beautiful silk that costs $30-40 each. If this works out the way I hope, I'll make the investment, but for now it's the cheap stuff.

Rearview. I think I'll call it "Granny's Baby" 

WIP Well, my model is not being perfectly still, but you can probably tell what this is intended to be. A cute 3/4 length sweater made from variegated yarn, which to me is just awesome. In my opinion, you can't really capture the true beauty of this yarn by tainting it with complicated stitch patterns. So, I've decided to stick with the SC, and it's working out just fine. I'm half way done, but I don't think that I have enough yarn, and my next knitpicks order is pending until April. Hmmmm, what to do...

Try To Visualize... I know it's a mess now, put I have big plans for this area. When I first moved into this house, this was supposed to be my retreat. But, since I had to make room for another child, I lost my office/storage space and this became it. I'm determined to reclaim this space and make it beautiful. I just have to get organized. I've purchased a huge cube shelf at Ikea, which I also plan to use as a divider. This way, I'll get to have an office, a little workshop, and even a retreat. I'm sure I can fit it all in here. I just have to use some extra creativity. Believe it or not, this area looks about 30% better than it did before I shot this picture. It's so hard to find the time to clean up a totally trashed area. My goal is to get it done before the end of Spring. Pray for me.

What's For Dinner?

My kids loooooove Tuna Helper. They thinks it's a delicacy. Who knew? Maybe it's because I started them out on Salmon Fetuccini. We all love this. This is a recipe that I got from my Uncle Arthur a while ago. I fell in love with it and we never get tired of it. It's fast to prepare and make. Want the recipe?

1 Small salmon filet
Equal parts chopped basil and garlic (I like about two tablespoons at least, I love garlic)
1 Pat of butter OR 1 1/2 tblsp of olive oil
1 tsp of Lawry's Season Salt
1/4 tsp of garlic powder, onion powder
6 ounces of heavy whipping cream
1/2 teason of dried rosemary
1/8 tspn of black or white pepper
1 lb of fresh fetuccini

Season the Salmon Filet lightly with Seasoned Salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and rosemary. Broil under oven's broiler for about 10-12 minutes or until filet is cooked through.

In a medium to large wok, saute garlic and basil in the butter or oil and set aside. When the Salmon is done, shred the flesh only into the pan with the garlic and basil, then add the whipping cream. Bring to a light boil, cover and simmer for about 5-8 minutes. Season with Lawry's to taste.

Boil your pasta, rinse, drain, and pour directly into the salmon sauce you've just made. Toss well. You can use the extra basil by mixing it with a nice green salad.

See, I told you that was easy. And so, so, good.

Ok, so the zig-zag skirt's been finished for a while now... but I haven't worn it, and I probably won't till next year cause it's too tight. Grrrrrr! I checked my gauge over and over. I guess I just got tired of ripping out and tried to just visualize it going on effortlessly and hanging just right. It didn't work. Oh well, something to look forward to.

Well, alright now! I'm finally figuring out how to use this bloc. So, please enjoy the links I've listed and shoot me an email from time to time. Hopefully soon I'll be displaying my finished works, but I'm getting all backed up for some reason. I want to clean my room, which for some reason doesn't fall under the general category of house keeping. Oh yeah, I've been trying to stay on top of that, unsuccessfully. I'm trying to design a 3/4 length toddler cardigan and also construct my Josie's Poncho. Wait I minute! How did I start neglecting my crochet all of sudden? I'll be back on top in a minute.

Happy Birthday to Me! Happy Birthday to Me! Yeah, I guess. I almost tried to forget it but I couldn't. No big plans or anything, but nowadays I just feel blessed to have a good day. My two girlfriends came out on Saturday. I love you sooo much Dawanna and Ronnie. Just out of the blue they decided to come visit me. We went to the "pre-opening" of West Sacramento's new Ikea and spent way too long there. And then we came home and played in make-up. I didn't know before Saturday, but that's exactly what I wanted to do for my birthday. I'm really considering starting a diet now (I was just gonna let myself go before). But I sent Dawanna away with some clothes that I can't fit anymore because she's lost 67 pounds! OMG!!!! Girl, you look great!

I bought a huge shelf at Ikea without even knowing whether or not it would fit in my car. It did! And I was even able to close the trunk. Although I did have to leave one of my children behind (just kidding, he rode in another car). We got three very long and heavy boxes into the house without incident. On Sunday the kids and I went to the Black Expo and the first booth that we saw had a great job listing. Then we made it all the way home with a trunk load of groceries before the big rain storm hit. Yes!

See what I mean? Two good days in a row. A great b-day present. I think I'll buy a lottery ticket, maybe two.

Flower Pillow One decor item down and who knows how many to go. This girly room is always a work in progress. I guess I'll have to break for a moment to complete some of that year-end paper work.

The Fruit Hat I was able to convert what used to be just a sock hat into this sweet fruit hat with the arrival of my new yarn in the mail. Yipee! Another finished project. No matter how small, I always get excited.

I've started a flower pillow.

As seen on Crochetme.com. This is in celebration of the fact that the crib has been officially converted into a toddler bed. I have a definite idea on what I want to do for the bedding (her theme is Butterflies and Bling), but I don't know where I'm going to get the materials from yet. I need cotton crochet thread in a large variety of "springy" colors. If you have any ideas let me know.

I'm having crocheter's block.

I've just ordered some variegated yarn, and plan to make a funky sweater for the toddler. I'm so excited. Exhausted too. I'll keep you posted fa sho! But in the mean time, I don't know what to do with my crochet energy. I guess I'm forced to tidy up. Help me, Lord.

Chic on a Halfshell Indeed

Well, the daycare will accommodate my new schedule. I will have to scoop the kids out of bed at about 4:20 am so that I can be to work at 5:00 am. My new purse and I took them to Chuck E. Cheese last night so that I can deal with my guilt.

I used two rolls of Aunt Lydia's 100%Mercerized Cotton thread for this project. It's what I had left over from the flower jumper. $1.50 each.

A jumper good for all seasons.

And also durable enough for this wild child. My thanks to Betty Branden and her book, Crochet For Babies & Toddlers. Superb!

Pink Sweater

My lovely model and the inspiration for 80% of my projects. Thank you, baby!

Zig Zag Skirt from Interweave Knits Crochet magazine.

This skirt is like my life, unfinished but still beautiful, high quality work. Yet totally unforgiving. I'd better get over it soon and get a high quality girdle before is gets too hot to wear this 100% wool cutie.

My co-workers an I have just been informed that overtime is required over the next four weeks (at least 8 hours per week). I am unhappy about this. I am praying that the daycare providers will comply. I will be extra patient with my kids. I will not cry. I will crochet a purse for myself.

Chevy Chaser Skirt Size 2T (Pattern Coming Soon!)

Rear View 

Sock Hats