Grandma's Rooster Lamp

This adorable lamp belonged to my dear sweet Grandmother and was her pride and joy. I decided to borrow it from my Mother as I needed to feel some closeness to my family during this long hard year. The only problem was, it needed a new lampshade. I have looked all over for a shade with a country theme from California, Wisconsin, Connecticut and more states, but not able to find one. I was using a shade that I bought from Walmart in the interim, but it looked really out of place as it had a french theme and hanging beads. My Mom who is visiting me, thought, why not make our own lamp shade and came up with this idea. I think Big Red looks so much better with his new bonnet. What do you think?

Circle of Friends using Crochet Memories Pattern

The latest crinoline ladies named a "Circle of Friends". A circle of friends which was fun to make.

What am I working on now? Rainbow Afghan is finally done!

I am in the process of knitting my first afghan and it is taking a very long time. That's really the difference between knitting and crocheting. Crocheting is FASTER! This afghan I am making free form with no particular pattern in mind. So far, I have made five strips of 18 blocks per strip and each strip is approx. 56 inches long. My plan is to knit them toegether instead of sewing using white yarn and maybe a variation of the original switch. I will post photos when done so you can see the end results.

I finally finished the afghan. I actually knitted it together using the same pattern except going down the side, and, of course, not as many rows. Isn't it beautiful? I hope my BFF likes it.

Kewpie Doll Pattern - Update #2

Update #2 - this is Alyiah, my great granddaughter. She is the one of the recipients of the kewpie doll. Isn't she cute? She lives in Wisconsin.

Update - This is the original Kewpie doll that the dress and hat was made for and as you can see, it's way too big. So now I am in the process of making a smaller one and will post pictures when completed.

The blue dress and hat, is for Jessica's nameless doll to wear on her trip home. However, she isn't getting it until her birthday next month. Hope she likes it.

I created this baby doll dress and hat using a pattern from an old Victorian book and using a #10 thread and #7 hook. Of course, as always, I did not stick to the pattern, but did all the details, ruffles, ribbons, etc. freehand. I made this for my Mother's caregiver, Beverly and I hope she likes it. Beverly is in California and I will be seeing her this weekend. I certainly hope that her doll is the same size as this one that I borrowed from Jessica Crugnale and as you can see, she is not a kewpie doll, but a special baby doll with a dirty face. She has been well-loved. I don't usually have baby dolls hanging around the house. Now I will make her one before she goes home to Jessica. I wonder what her name is? Thanks Jessica!

Crinoline Ladies - Updated as of July 11, 2008

This is a special lady as she is wearing a sunflower made especially by me. Isn't she pretty? I have framed most of these ladies using shadowbox frames that I purchased at Big Lots.

My latest project is crocheting these beautiful crinoline ladies. I am using #7 hook (my favorite) and #10 thread. The two black ones are hanging on my bathroom wall and I am in the process of making more. Easy to do and quite impressive if I do say so myself. The patterns can be purchased at http://www.crochetmemories.com/. Let me know your thoughts.

Fun Stuff

Free hand pantaloons that I made to go under the kewpie doll's dress.

Dishsoap Dress that I made for my Mom's friend.

Red Flowers for the Simi Valley Senior Center's Ceramic class ladies!

I owed a friend some crocheting,as she graciously hemmed a new shower curtain...I think it's called bartering. She is a great sewer and wanted a crocheted square for a shell she's making for herself and also an assortment of flowers for various projects. These were all made out of #10 thread.

Vicki's Gone Green

Check out my latest project. This is an easy crocheted shopping bag to make. I haven't tried it yet, but I think it's strong enough to hold groceries as it's made out of cotton. Did you notice the chicken cookie jar and his friends in the background? They belonged to my Grandmother and were sent to me by Lynda as I have recently started collecting them.

Friend's Gift

My friend, Patience, surprised me with this beautiful shawl that she knitted for me. It is gorgeous and so soft. Great to wear in the office when my shoulders are cold from too much air conditioning. She used sock yarn, hand dyed by Lucy of www.mindseyeyarns.com. Visit Lucy's website to see all the beautiful colors that she has.

Once again, a big thank you to Patience for her continued friendship and thoughtfulness. I treasure it.

Various Projects and Christmas Pictures

Hi All! I have been unable to blog for a long time, due to my beloved, Warren's passing away on November 1, 2007. I am trying to cope with the loneliness by crocheting and kniting. These are just some of the projects that I have finished during the long hospital visits and the last two months. Also included, are Christmas pictures as I went to California to be with my family.

I made the sweater for my friend, Kathy. Made it out of Caron Simplysoft charcoal without a pattern, did it all by freehand. I am proud that it fit her so beautifully.

The wavy scarf is a pattern that my friend, Patience sent to me during my difficult time trying to keep my mind busy. The yarn is from Lucy's shop in Cambridge.

Buddy and Joey are my new dog friends that belong to my brother's family. That's my beautiful niece holding Joey. The house is Chuck and Donna's in Porter Ranch, CA. The tree was 9 ft. tall and Donna spends oodles of time decorating the house. She loves Christmas.

The sombrero woman is, of course, Mom on her birthday. I was glad that I was there to help her celebrate her 78th day. The other pictures are of our friend, Terry Johnson, whom we visited in Highland, CA and had lunch at the San Manuel Casino. That's Terry with her winnings.