Happily Sunburnt

If you live anywhere it rains a lot, then you know if it is sunny or nice out you better get youself out there and enjoy it.  On average, my beautiful island, gets rain 180 days a year.  This is why the island is so green though.

This summer I intend to take full advantage of any good weather and either play or work or work and play. 

Horseshoes!  I love to play horseshoes.  It reminds me of being a kid, enjoying summer BBQ's and playing tournaments with my family.  As a kid I didn't win much, I come from a very competive family (VERY) and I was the youngest, smallest, weakest but never got any special treatment, but I still liked to play.

When we bought our house, the horseshoe pits on the property was one of the selling features, although they needed a little work.  So four years later I have finally worked on them. 

Upper left photo...on the sides of the pits were wooden "planks" attached to the sub-frame.  Last year the hubby and I pulled those board up, because they were very rotted and either needed to be replaced or we had to come up with another plan.  Since some of the sub-frame was broken, we decided to dig up the sub-frame and just create a large pit.

Upper right photo....sub-frame dug out.
Lower left photo... spread out drainage rocks.
Lower right photo...after adding some additional sand and smoothing everything out, the Horseshoe pits are ready to play on.

So far I have played three games on them...and have been the winner each time!!!!

Mini Wooden Chalkboard

For the Crochet Motif Challenge, I needed something to write the number of each motif on, for pictures.  My first thought was post it notes, then I thought about cut out numbers....then....bing....the light bulb went on and the mini wooden chalkboard was born.

Materials:
Branch about 2 1/2" in diameter
Sand paper
Saw
Chalkboard paint

Directions:
Saw off a disk any thickness.  Mine is about 1/2" thick.
Sand down edges and cut sides.
Apply Chalkboard paint according to instructions on bottle.
Write messages, draw pictures....enjoy!

Week One of Challenge

One week down, 11 motifs complete!

My friend and I started the "Challenge" last Thrusday and so far I have completed 11 motifs.  I find making these very enjoyable and feel like I am going thru crochet school.  It has been good for me to have some crochet homework, it keeps me motivated to stay creative. 

Here are the motifs I have completed:
The number is the number of the motif in the book.



The Challenge

Every Thursday is "Crochet Night" with a friend of mine.  We crochet, talk, laugh and drink tea.  Girl time is healing.  When we started this a few months back, we both decided to work on our "30 year" projects.  Both are done!!!  So we have started a new challenge......

Beyond the Square, Crochet Motifs By Edie Eckman

The Friendship Blanket Crochet Motif Challenge

Objective:

To crochet one of all 144 Motifs, more if yarn permits.

Details:

• The two of us will divide all the motifs, I am in charge of Odd numbered motifs.
• We have chosen six different colors of yarn.
• Once all motifs are crocheted, we will divide the motifs we each did in half and give one half to the other.
• We will each make a "Friendship Blanket" with our motifs.



My Octopus' Garden

It's finished!!!!!!!!!!!  Insert happy dance here!

"I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade
He'd let us in, knows where we've been
In his octopus' garden in the shade

I'd ask my friends to come and see
An octopus' garden with me
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade.

We would be warm below the storm
In our little hideaway beneath the waves
Resting our head on the sea bed
In an octopus' garden near a cave

We would sing and dance around
Because we know we can't be found
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden in the shade

We would shout and swim about
The coral that lies beneath the waves
(Lies beneath the ocean waves)
Oh what joy for every girl and boy
Knowing they're happy and they're safe
(Happy and they're safe)

We would be so happy you and me
No one there to tell us what to do
I'd like to be under the sea
In an octopus' garden with you."

(The Beatles, Octopus' Garden)

Let's Create Some Ruckus

More bling for my Ruckus....a crocheted basket.  This project has been in the works for some time now.  Initially it was going to be big enough for a bag of fast food, but it would of been way to big and out of place.  Plus being out front of the bike would cool the food down before I could get it home.

It was crocheted using the same paracord as the under the seat netting.  To help keep the shape when speeding down the road at 40mph I threaded a wire hanger around the top edge.  I secured it to the bike with some zip ties.

Saturday was gorgeous, full sun and little wind...this is after we received a week straight of rain.  So with no place in particular to go, I cruised around town to "test the basket".  The basket didn't budge.