1970 Flash Back

While visiting my mother in law a few weeks ago, she showed me this Crochet hot pad she was given years ago.  She really liked it because it was double thick and slightly larger than the ones you buy at the store.

"Do you think you could figure out how this was made?".....and just like that the challenge was made.

I took her hot pad with me that day and after examining this thing, trying to determine where the starting chain would of been, and how it was constructed, I decided the best bet would be to search on the Internet for a pattern.  I was successful! 

The pattern is really easy.  They take some time to work up because they are made up entirely of single crochet.  The pattern called for a starting chain of 26, but I did 36 for the small one and 46 for the large one.  I used a size H hook, and Peaches and Creme Cotton 4 ply Yarn.  I love how they turned out.  They are nice and thick.  Which means to pull something out of a hot oven with them will work very well.  The two blue ones in the pictures were given as a mother's day gift to my mother in law, but I will definitely be making some of these for myself.

 

If you would like to make some yourself, the pattern can be found here.

For the Ladies

After posting yesterday, I really felt the need to do a small project that could be finished in one sitting.  It helps me stay interested when I can accomplish something quickly.  Immediate satisfaction is a wonderful thing.

With leftovers on the menu for dinner and a two mile walk still pacing through my veins, I had the energy and attention to make some crochet hair ties.  I remember seeing this crochet item at craft fairs.  Usually in bright childish colors adorned with loud plastic beads.  Not really something an adult would use to tie their hair up with, or any kid older than 8.

For mine I chose earthy colors and no beads.  Although some wooden beads sparsely crocheted in them might be a nice touch.

The two lacy hair ties were made from patterns I found on Raverly.  The "Scrunchies" are my own design, pattern coming soon.

Works in Progress and An Obsession with Patterns

It seems that of late, I start a new project, get halfway thru, then get bored, or can't decide how I want to finish it, and start another project.  This is a very bad cycle to get stuck in.  At the moment I have five unfinished projects and two projects that I have the yarn set aside for.  I also found this beautiful ribbon yarn at the local fiber store that I am determined to find something to do with, so I can buy it.  Oh and I can't forget another project idea to make my Easter Lillie's pots prettier. 

Collecting more and more patterns, though is going quite well.  It is almost an obsession.  Everyday, two or three times, I check Raverly for new patterns.  I have so many saved that it would take me months, maybe years, to finish them all.

So lots of patterns and ideas, but no finished projects.  This must get turned around.

Finger Food Friday...er Saturday...

Pepperoni Pizza Biscuits

Ingredients:

Biscuits

Dry Basil

Pepperoni Slices

Pizza Sauce

Green Bell Pepper

Mozzarella Cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Cut all biscuits in half.  Press biscuits into muffin cups.  Layer three slices of cooked pepperoni, one spoonful of pizza sauce, chopped green peppers, shredded mozzarella cheese in each muffin cup.  Sprinkle basil over each.  Bake for 16 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Again another really easy recipe to make.  The only time consuming step is the pre-cooking of the peperoni's.  I believe this is an important step though because it helps create less grease in the final product.

* If you try any of the Finger Food Friday recipes, I would love to know what you think. If you changed them up, I would love to know what you did. Email me or comment on this post.

Happy Easter

Happy Belated Easter!

Just because you don't have kids, doesn't mean you can't dye some hard boiled eggs.  This Saturday, I bought a dollar something egg dying kit at Walmart and boiled some eggs.  Didn't want to do anything too fancy, so I just wrapped some rubber bands around the eggs and dunked the whole egg in the dye bath.  I let the eggs sit in the dye for about 30 minutes to get the darkest color I could.

When all the eggs were out drying, I started the clean up and became curious about the left over dye....what else could I use this for??  I immediately thought of the many white tank tops I have and just had to try it.  the colors came out really well, although I have not washed it in the washing machine.  If after washing all the dye comes out I will not be too upset, that is actually what I am expecting.  It was just fun to do.

Finger Food Friday

As promised another recipe from the Poker Night Recipe Book.


Sloppy Joe Biscuits

I give these 5 stars!!!!  Using only 4 ingredients, they are quick to put together.  (and very yummy)

Ingredients:
Ground Beef
Sloppy Joe Sauce
Biscuits
Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Directions:
Brown Ground Beef, drain grease.  Add Sloppy Joe sauce.  Cut all biscuits in half, flatten and press into muffin pan.  The silicone muffin pans work the best to prevent sticking.  Spoon beef mixture on top of each biscuit and top with a pinch of cheese.  The amount is up to you.

Bake at 375 for about 15 minutes or until biscuit is a nice golden brown.  Serve warm.




* If you try any of the Finger Food Friday recipes, I would love to know what you think. If you changed them up, I would love to know what you did. Email me or comment on this post.

Another Neglected Project

How sad projects must get, after so much attention and excitement for them, to only get half done and set aside.

Years ago, I started making these flowers...I made a ton of them.  When it came to connecting them to make a blanket I got stumped as to how I should do it.  At first I thought I could just whip stitch them all together.  That was taking forever and did not look as well as I would of liked.  So all the little flowers got shoved into an old cheese ball container and set aside (for 3 to 4 years).  Till now!

After much research in how to connect afghan blocks, I think the blanket can finally get worked on and finished.  I detached all the flowers I connected so long ago and started crocheting a border that will create a Pentagon shape.  The border will help give a straight edge in order to connect all the shapes.  This is my first Afghan block blanket...and without a pattern, I am either brave or stupid. 

If I can work all the kinks out, I will try to write out a pattern.

Bunnies!

Above are hats I made in one night for my two nieces, one is four months and the other 2 years.  Between all the chores I was able to tackle, shooting off fireworks for a 50th birthday and enjoying the 55 to 60 degree weather this weekend I can't believe I was able to finish two of the most adorable hats for my nieces.  I don't have kids of my own so I find great joy in creating things for these two girls.  They don't live near me, so planning is important, especially when it is something for a holiday. (No fun to wear a bunny hat after the holiday)

I used a pattern I found on Raverly, an online community of crocheters and knitters. (you have to be a member to view...sorry)  The pattern was really easy to follow.  Each hat only took about one and a half hours to complete and only used a small amount of yarn. 

I had wanted to make a couple other things to send, but time ran out and as it is I am sending it Fed Ex to be certain that it gets to them by Easter.  I can't wait to see the pictures.

* Bear is my prop, not part of the package.

It's Still Friday

This post has been on my mind all day.  Unfortunately, it is tax season and as you know I work for tax accountants.  As promised though it is still Friday and the first page of my recipe book.......

Bacon Quesadillas

This is always a hit.  I would definitely rate this one a 10!  The guys love these when I make them and my husband request this one a lot.  I found the recipe here.   They take a little time to make because you can only make one at a time, but it is well worth it.  With only a few ingredients, they are simple to put together.


...and how about another recipe.

Philly Cheese Bites

Ingredients:

Deli Style Roast Beef

Onion

Spices

Swiss Cheese Slices

Biscuits

Directions:

Chop Roast Beef, cook with onion and spices.  Cut all biscuits in half and press flat.  Layer, 1/4 piece of cheese...Roast Beef...1/4 piece of cheese.  Fold over, seal edges.  Bake at 375 for 13 to 16 minutes.

Another "10" recipe.  Easy to make, but as with the Bacon Quesadillas, when you are making lots of them it takes some time (only so many you can fit in the oven at one time).

If you have any questions about these recipes, feel free to email me.

(I am not getting paid to promote any website or product mentioned in this post.)

Keeping Them Fed

Every Friday night for the last five years my husband and his buddies get together and play cards...and every Friday night for the last five years I slave away in the kitchen and make them finger food.  For the longest time the recipes for Friday night were disorganized and shoved into a pile.  The plan:  To make a recipe book with all the recipes, that will be a constant work in progress.

So far I have around 20 recipes added to the book and this weekend I put together the cover.

The journal is handmade by me.  It has a duct tape cover and drawing paper for the pages.  The cover was designed using stamps, old playing cards, and stickers.  To keep things from staying on the cover, I glued everything together and sealed them using a laminating plastic.  Using E6000 Glue, I adhered the plastic to the cover with a few dots, then stitched around the edges to keep it from peeling up later.  This book will get a lot of use and handling, so I want things to stay put.

Visit this blog on Fridays, where you will find the recipe pages inside the book.  Included will be the recipe artwork, the recipe and the guys reviews.

Easter so early?

Can you believe it?  An Easter project weeks before Easter?  I just hope this isn't the only Easter project that gets done.  What do you think, will my 2 year old niece be happy to receive this?

Everything Deserves a Cozy

I just recently purchased a 10 1/2" laptop.  It will not replace my "work horse" laptop, but for Internet surfing, blogging, travel, etc., it will work great.  Also if my husband is on the computer, then I can also play on a computer.

Since it is a smaller laptop, I did not feel the need to buy a bag for it.  Instead with my knitting needles and some yarn from my stash, my new mini laptop is hugged by a cozy...because everything deserves a cozy.

Here is the pattern:

"10 1/2" Laptop Hug"

 

Materials:

1 Skein Caron Simply Soft Country Blue

1 Skein Caron Simply Soft Dark Country Blue

1 Skein Lion Brand Homespun Meadow

1 Skein Peaches and Creme Black

Size 13 Straight Knitting Needles

6 Stitch Markers

Yarn Needle

Cable Needle

N-9.00mm Crochet Hook

Directions:

Holding all four yarns together cast on 22 stitches. (You will knit will all four yarns together for the entire piece.)

Row 1:  Knit 3, add stitch marker.  Knit 2, add stitch marker.  Knit 3, add stitch marker.  Knit 6, add stitch marker.  Knit 3, add stitch marker.  Knit 2, add stitch marker.  Knit 3.

Row 2:  (cable row)  Knit 8.  Transfer 3 stitches to the cable needle and bring to front.  Knit the next three stitches.  Knit the three stitches on the cable needle.  Knit 8.

Row 3:  Knit 3.  Purl 2.  Knit 3.  Purl 6.  Knit 3.  Purl 2.  Knit 3.

Row 4:  Knit across.

Row 5:  Repeat row 3.

Repeat row 2 to row 5, until it measures the length of the laptop times 2.  (mine is about 23 inches)

Bind off.

Finishing:
Fold in half with the purl side facing out.  Sew together long sides, leaving short side open.  Turn Cable side out.

Loop for button...With crochet hook, leaving a 8" tail make a slip stitch and chain 14 bind off, leaving another 8" tail..  Tie the tails together to form a circle.  Attach to backside, in the middle of the upper edge, by pulling tails thru from the front to the inside 2 stitches apart tie together.  Sew button on the other side of cozy. Ta Da your done.

If you have any questions or notice any problems with this pattern, please let me know.

I Haven't Disappeared

I am not disappearing again!  If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know it is tax season and that means I am one busy girl.  As soon as I get one thing scanned into the system, two more walk in the door.  Then there are extensions, and tax payments to get out the door...paying company bills, and entering the daily accounting services...and, and, and.  I welcome the crazy busy of the season though, as the work days move fast. 

This does not mean I have been a slacker at home.  Work on a Friday Night Poker Recipe book is well on it's way.  Also a cozy (and pattern) for my new mini laptop is about halfway done.  Would you say I am back to normal...no...but was I ever normal in the first place?

Oops I Did It Again

"I am going to finally finish a holiday project"..."Because I mentioned it on my blog I will have to finish something."...."I will not procrastinate!" Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!

I searched for days for the perfect Shamrock to make.  I had the projects all laid out.  A simple Shamrock head band.  The Shamrock was going to be about 3" square.  Three crochet chain cords would be attached to the back in order to tie the head band on.  I also wanted to make a three Shamrock necklace.  Each Shamrock would be a different size and ordered from biggest to smallest.  The biggest would sit at the center of the necklace and the other two would travel up one side.

Did I even touch the yarn or a crochet hook to make these very simple projects...no.  At about 11 o'clock the night before St. Patrick's Day, I was laying on my couch watching TV, when I looked at the clock and grumbled to myself.

I have done it again.  I have made nothing.

Get Pinched

St. Patrick's Day, March 17th...the day where everyone decides they need to drink green beer and wear green so they don't get pinched.  It sounds so strange to type that out.    We have certainly lost the meaning of this holiday.  How many people know what St. Patrick's day is about and why we do this?  Not many I would suppose, I don't or didn't.  You can read about Saint Patrick's Day here. 

I always plan on making something for the holidays to wear or display, but never plan ahead enough.  As of right now I have 2 1/2 days to make something, and on the hunt searching the Internet for a crochet pattern I like.  So far the Lion Brand Shamrock Pattern, is the only one I like.

What will this Shamrock turn into??  Maybe a simple pin, or necklace....maybe earrings, a barrette?  Hmmm, maybe that is why I never seem to finish anything before the holiday...I can never decide what to make.