My Own New Year's Resolutions!

It may be early, but the fact remains, it is still New Years Eve! I've been thinking of resolutions all month, but my Mom's post gave me some inspiration to blog about it.
  If you want to check out her blog, go to www.eightgypsies.blogspot.com
You can also check out her Eight Gypsies YouTube channel, where she vlogs about every day life, and you might even get a quick glimpse of your's truly....not that seeing me is any thing to jump and shout about.
  I am really glad that my mother is trying these cool things out, she even has a Twitter account, something I haven't actually got off the ground yet!
  Alright, straight to the meat.
Reflecting on last year's resolutions, I didn't stick to a lot of them. I didn't memorize all of "Grease" finish my Arnold Horshack scarf, gain more patience or stop biting my nails.
   However, I did get a job, make things for Project Linus and wrote more songs and poems!
    Which brings us to:
                  Raven's New Year's Resolutions in no Particular Order.
1: Graduate and head off to a CNA program! I've been on the fence about it, thought of so many careers, but I believe I should definitely be doing this, and should just go ahead and do it, without second guessing myself.
2: More blankets for the kids!
3: Make hats for the military. I would like to add on extra service projects, I love to help.
4: Learn to love myself. I need to separate my mind from my body and see that I am an actual person who doesn't need the emotional abuse I dish out to myself. It really is what it is. The self loathing and doubting and not being confident has to end sometime soon.
5: Don't have any more anxiety attacks and stop the long string of crying nights. I don't know how much more of it my heart can take, and FOR WHAT? Maybe I know or Maybe I don't. This too, must end, for I just can't handle it anymore.
6: Complete my hug list (see last post)
7: See more of my home and birth state.
8: Keep digging in the genealogy.
9: Attempt my segue into adult hood. So far, it is not going extremely well. I still feel like a fluffy little girl, who is unsure of every thing. I want to grow up, but I know I won't be a grown woman for a long time, and I am going to be 18 next year. I want to be a small fluffy grown person! Hey, what's wrong with bows, wild eyeshadow, ringlets and admiration for Snoopy?
10: Go to New York City (seeing SNL is kind of a long shot goal, so I don't expect it.)
11: Meet Lou Christie (I have high expectations, I think he will be slightly easier to meet then One Direction, much easier! Luigi, I'm on my way!)
What resolutions do you have?

Lou Christie Next Year!!

I am such a happy little lady at this moment! A brand new year dawns upon us.....So much to do in 2016, including going to my very first big concert! It is a Doo Wop shows with tons of acts including the Skyliners and Capris, but most importantly, and the reason I am going, Lou Christie! The reason I bought two tickets, one for my mother, one for myself, with my hard earned dollars, and barely batted an eyelash! 

I have been listening to his music slightly longer then I have been working. I crochet to it, fall asleep to it, get ready for work and put on my makeup to it, lots of good stuff. He has a spot on the Raven playlist. Italians have the best pipes ever, I am sure of it, not as popular, but I think he is better then Frankie Valli! 

I may be the youngest one there at the concert, but that's alright, music can carry over generations, especially if it is GOOD.

I can't pick a favorite song, but "Chuckie Wagon" is one, off the "Paint America Love" album.....I don't have that album. But it's good.

Truth is, Lou Christie is on my hug list. I have a very long list of people to hug. One of next year's goals is to meet and give my Aunt a big hug, and meet Lou Christie and give him a big hug too. Should he happen to hobknob in the lobby after, I shall shuffle on over and with his permission, check off my resolution. Yes, this year is gonna be the bomb.

Sorry about the font, I put up pictures and it all went kersplat! Also, not exactly sure where I got the photos on Google Search, but these photos are not mine nor do I claim them to be.

That last one though...imagine two of them? I like lightnin', rain, and fringe jackets too.

Hats and Positivity.

Hoping that all of my readers had a Merry Christmas! My family did. No snow, but I am not complaining. I'm not the biggest snow freak. I love warm weather!
Over the last two weeks, I have been burning the midnight oil, made over 11 hats and counting still.
It was a kind of evolution of hats, as I had to make 7 different patterns before I found the one with the perfect fit. Needless to say, I spent a good amount of time discouraged and upset. But I am very, very confident in the pattern that is in the picture, the fits are great, the form is good.
The four hats are for my cousin, he bought from me, thank you so much! I have to get myself to the post office on Tuesday.
It's good to stay optimistic, if you can. It's always a work in progress, but always set the bar higher for your expectations of yourself. I have spent so much time putting the bar lower then my self since I had no confidence in my abilities. I suppose the best thing to do is to jump right into what ever you think you cannot do, and just work harder to do so. At least, that's what I am going to do.
It's a constant work in progress, and I find myself backsliding a lot, but things are so much better then they were at the start of the Summer, when I was so sick with worry. Don't let yourself ever get to that point, you will become a vegetable. Nobody wants a celery person.
I am glad the holidays are over, I think being upset at this time is no good at all.
Today's song is another by Mike Clifford, how enchanting.
Any projects as of late?

Stream Of Consciousness Writing

Tried something new today!
I am crazy and bananas for writing songs and poetry, reports, any thing, I love to write. Mostly poetry. I don't really have a form of writing, like a structure, I don't even really rhyme too much. Perhaps that stems from my father's disdain of lyrics that rhyme, so after that, I tried to exclude that form from my writing. However, I am pretty open to it, I just don't want to rhyme in a typical way, moon and June, hold me in your arms and your many charms. Charms! Lord!
  When I was crocheting, I remembered a video I saw on writing awhile back, it talked about songwriting and how Paul Simon used Stream Of Consciousness writing to write some of his songs. Well. I really admire Paul Simon's epic songs. My favorite song writers include him, Paul Williams, Joe South, Tony Romeo, and the Lou Christie/Twyla Herbert songwriting team.
  I'm getting off topic. So I thought, lemmee look up how to Do this stream stuff, see what kind of stuff this Paul Simon dude was getting into.
  Stream of Consciousness is exactly what it sounds like. You take a paper, pen, pick a topic and write WHATEVER pops into your head, without breaking, without censor or punctuation or even going back to correct your spelling. Only with pen and paper, computers or iPods are not recommended, it's hindering, less personal.
  So I gave this thing a go, I will share with you the three notebook pages that I had completed, no stopping, even though it was late and I had a massive headache.
  Here we go.
It's so vast and high when it hits the very peak of the Roman cathedral's ceiling, warm in notes, has my vote such richness to course through some chilly creek veins the rain was tempting today wet on the stairs shoes did not slip, money well spent I could scratch the arc and dome of the sky with the love in music my eardrums had felt, if I could see it bright colors could dance and rhapsodize in front of my very so many thoughts could make their way through dontcha love the way the bells and horns make your eardrums feel coffee and egg nog and old days and new days, drag lace curtains up and over my eyes in the dead hours of morning before the stirring can begin, the red headphones drawn tight over my little ugly ears, so much love had they felt enjoyed music had not destroyed back in prehistoria sure now can imagine, do imagine, almost ashamed, but healthy and smiling and drawing from a place non focusing as one should, keep all hidden, it's a drag across the linoleum flirt, a drag a drag, only solace to be found, so many songs so intricately planned, well done and pretty and moving can't get the words out of my pen can't wake up where I want in the fresh morn, I'd stay forever if I could don't want to pass into death fore I'm kissed lavender rose colors scope mouthwash curls readied can make something so grandiose and beautiful and the music will carry and carry strong like the mules in the mines, the mines, strong men's work can carry in the past random historical thought how odd can ya get to get back on a track desire country walks and drag me running through the lilacs and dandelions, messes of down home Polk salad girl can dream, its wrong, wrong, wrong to dream or want desire be confident love others love oneself wrong wrong wrong and anger but the music stood the test of time tangles my heartstrings in a wondorous way cut me open dance out the music from my stitches, gaping hole in my chest did the Big Man in the throne expell laugher? Music dance out walk the country walk take my hand for it begs for something a long time it begs can't admit what tears fell for but the music lifts and hits the ceiling hard.

Sephora Haul Etc!!

My very first time doing a mall haul!
   Today, I took my drivers permit test, and failed by four questions! This was one time where I practiced trying to be positive. I told myself, you've got this Ray! And I had a lot of support from family and friends. Bombed anyway. I am not usually an extremely positive person, especially when it comes to my view of myself. I think I am a massive failure in all aspects of life, and feel as if I can't even tell myself that I can do well, or God will drop another failure in front of me, just to keep me in a check.
   But, enough about that. My father and I went to the mall, and I did a bit of shopping! After dining at one of the finest restaurants, Arby's, for a decadent roast beef sandwich, prime curly fries and Pepsi worthy of the angel Gabriel, we hit Sephora! From Sephora, I bought a lovely wide tooth comb for detangling crazy curls!! I gave it a test run in the shower, and I call it a winner.
   Second, a new eyeshadow shade, Picnic In The Park. I love green shades. Especially when paired with a red or nude shade, really makes Brown eyes pop! I also signed up for their rewards card and received a birthday present, two lip crayons! So very happy and grateful. GROOVY!
  Next, we dropped in J.C Penney quick so I could get a sweater, then to Gertrude Hawk, bought my mother and sister some chocolate!
  Although we waited an hour and 15 mins at the DMV, then we're stuck in traffic, it was a great day spent with my Dad. That's really special.
   Today's jam of the day is a new old song I found on YouTube by Mike Clifford called "Close To Cathy". Be still my heart, it is so good, and am surprised I had not found it sooner. I really dig his sweater combo. I really love it when boys wear sweaters, it warms my little heart.One reason to love Winter!

ALMOST SATURDAY NIGHT!!!

  I have had a love/hate relationship with Saturday. When I was little, it was the best day ever, my father's day off. On that day, we would usually head out to the antique stores and to eat.
   We moved around a lot, Dad got a new job, and Saturday became just another day. Of course, it still had electricity in the air, as I feel all weekends do, but it just wasn't the same.
   Until Saturday became something to look forward to.
     I am crazy about comedy stuff, so I always loved Saturday Night Live. I would watch it sometimes as a kid with my parents, but I would have to Eiether close my eyes, ears or leave the room sometimes. Or the TV would get turned off! Bummer! As I got older, mostly lately, I was finally allowed to watch it, and recently became a loyal watcher, this 41st season.
   This show, not only is it funny, but it really means a lot to me. In the middle of November, I had my heart broken, or maybe I broke my own heart, I don't know what to say about this. Needless to say, what was a happy day, turned into one of the worst days on my list. I took it very hard, and though it rests near the back of my mind, as far as I can push it, it is still there, and it still hurts sometimes. It's just another thing on top of my pile of mental garbage that plagues me at every waking moment.
  It was a bad night, but thank God it was a Saturday, and SNL was on, and I could laugh instead of cry that night.  And laugh I did. It was a great show. If it had been a Monday or a Sunday or whatever, there would be no chance, I'd have cried all night.
   But of course, I pretty much cried all of Sunday night....and Monday.. etc etc...You can't win.
     But for that one time, I was happy and could laugh. And that is why I look forward to it ALL WEEK!
I bring cherry Pepsi from work, I get the Cheezits from the top of the fridge, get the posse together (my father and sister) and we have a great time, dying of laughter, I swear it is the best.
One day, though I don't count on it, I hope to see it live in NYC. That would be the bomb. It's always been a dream of Mine to see the Big Apple. AND TAKE A GIANT BITE!! 
 In the meantime, I might have a letter to Kyle Mooney in the works. If he sends me a photo, I can't decide where to hang it. I have my wall with the signed Jerry Lewis picture, I was kind of reserving that wall for Jewish comics, I have my Simon and Garfunkel poster on the same side of the room. I don't know if Kyle Mooney is Jewish, but Vanessa Bayer is...perhaps I will write two.

  After this week, the show goes on Holliday break, but I guess I can wait. At least I have some reruns.

And what do you do when it is almost Saturday night? Listen to Karla DeVito sing about it!

Hello Again!

  It's been too long. It really has. About four months to be exact. Every week, I thought of blogging, but just didn't have a thing to write about!
  Been crocheting as always, currently working on some hats that folks are buying!
Been working for four months at a restaurant, I really like it there. You meet a lot of nice people, and the food is good! Always a plus.
  Also, finishing up high school! I am a senior now, just turned 17 last month. It's not the easiest thing being 17, but it is not horrible Eiether. I guess at this age, you are getting ready to grow up, but there are still some things that you are not grown enough to do.
 Soon enough, I will be taking the written test for a driver's permit. Scared out of my mind? You bet! When is there a moment in my life where I am not anxious?
 Considering going to school to be a nail technician. I will be going to the same school my mother went to, she went for massage though.
Speaking of my Mom, she has entered the blogging world again after six years! This is her site, check it out, please follow her, she is a great lady.
http://eightgypsies.blogspot.com/
As for me? Well, I am back! No worries.

Fair Week!

  That time of year has come again.
                       FAIR WEEK!
    Every September, the fair comes to our town, with food, animals, rides, contests and madness. LOTS OF MADNESS!
    There was only one year when I had not entered anything. 2013, July, August and September were a whirlwind and I barely had time to prepare! But I have a feeling that 2015 is going to be a good one.
    I am entering a Sashay knitted scarf, a crochet beach bag and a finger knitted necklace. The rest of the family is putting in their art as well. This will be the first time where I will not be dropping my stuff off in person! I am working tonight. Isn't it odd how I never thought I would get a job? And here I am. Things seem to be coming together in many an interesting way!
   I like my job a lot so far. The only anxieties I have are memorizing the menu (it is big) and messing up somehow! But Anxiety will be with me every place I go, might as well get used to it.
   I love getting ready for work. I lug all my make up and hair stuff into the bathroom, line everything up on the window sill and turn on some tunes. I've been listening to a ridiculous amount of Tommy James and the Shondells and Lou Christie as of late.
The Shondells recently did a free concert, and how I wish I could've made it out. Over 9,000 people went. How can one go wrong? Good music for free!
   Imagine being there, 9,000 people. Everybody together, enjoying music from days gone by. It's a beautiful thought.
    I leave you with two Shondells songs. "Ball Of Fire" is amazing. "Dragging The Line" is my work song.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARIEN!

 Tomorrow is a very special day. It is the day my sister, Darien, turns 14 years old. Another great year in the life of DD12!
   Here are some great photos of her from this Summer. One and two were taken at the beach, number one is my favorite, she looks positively beautiful against the sky.
   The third photo was taken at a "White Castle", our first fresh "White Castle" experience.
   Four was taken at Aunt Debbie's place of reside, cousin Dawn taught us card making last night, Darien is holding up one of her genius creations!
   What can I tell you about my sister? Where do you start? I've known her for pretty much all of my life. She was born three years after me. We have been best friends since September 19th, 2001, aka, the day she came into this world.
   Our friendship has evolved over the years. When we were little, we used to play a game we made up, called "People". It's where you take those little toy doll houses  and move the people around in them, act out their problems. Little people or Barbies. Ken too. It was our favorite.
  As we got older and graduated from that stuff, we played music together. Darien has been playing guitar since four years old. She is very good, can play any instrument she touches. I will put our music on the blog one of these days.
  We do all of the cool stuff that best buddies usually do. Sleep over in each other's rooms/stay up watching TV on the weekends, shoot the breeze about fellas and other things.
  Darien is very into sports. She is interested in all of them, basketball and baseball especially. She hopes to be a professional basketball player some day.
   I am really proud of this kid, and it has been amazing watching her grow up and growing up with her! Well not really growing with her, she is taller then I am now.
She is a great sister and person to know. I love this kid!
 Love you, Dee! Happy Birthday!
 

Poems, New and Old.

   Here are some poems and songs that I have written, some don't have titles yet, I am not the greatest at titles.
View Of A New Season.
  Through this window, a residential street.
Cracked with screens and branches, cherry
blossoms do unfold
  Winter packs wind and snow in its suitcase.
Alarm clock on the dresser is set. Ticks to
three seasons as Winter crawls into bed.
Drop off our layers and flubbed as the light
touches pale skin.
   Swore we looked like Eskimos, cursed the
weather when it snowed. Sidewalks are now
dry, stay to watch a flower bloom.
   Colors have returned, the streets were slick
with ice. Push heat and color into frozen
bones.
                             ----
Grief and Confusion.
   Mighty one atop a mountain peak, possessor
of power, storms, joy and grief, what is the mighty
plan?
   Children writhe in the pain, try to adapt, wail at
the sight of their fresh scars. Innocent lives robbed
by psychotic monsters. Some monsters wear
a coat of flesh like others. We don't care if this
monster dies.
  What do you do to stop the monster, this stealer
of innocence? What do you do for the children
who lose their hair in the sink?
  We have questions to fill the mail bags, where do
We send them? Confusion consumes us, but we
remain on our knees. On our knees, grief cuts valleys
in our faces.
           ---------
White Shoes.
   Off the assembly line, clean and white. Out of the
womb, pure and bright. Presented in a box,
presented with a first breath. Brand new white
shoes on the feet, brand new bright soul in the
body. Hit the streets, hit the World.
   Rain. Trauma. Mud. Trouble. Marks. Blood.
Oh, how easy the white shoes can be tarnished.
Oh how easy the soul can be tarnished.
--------
Sorority.
Sorority, you will be the death of a long term plan.
Sorority, had a can of liquid evil in her hand, not the
first, not close to last.
Sorority, bubbling over, spilling out, nothing left to
keep hid. She might be pretty but her head is full of
air, of those fatal party queens beware.
Sorority, you'd be a cold woman to take him from me,
I'll make it clear to you woman, I was waiting from the
first, first place, I'll stay. Out cook and bake you,
Out Susie home make you, Sorority, go to the back
of the line where you belong.
-----------------
Silver is the grass, turned by the street lamp, nine
o clock, someone comes running, bare feet in the
dust of the front porch, like a jet halting sharp on the
sidewalk.
Breathing heavy, heart beats fast, fire in the chest,
fear and confusion. Look above, count twenty stars,
five airplanes, lots to see tonight.
Focus hard, stop pulling out hair, pay attention hard to
That star light. Beg again to the man who has the World
in his hand, the one who doesn't give up those
answers.
-------------
Honey, don't get caught in the rain, the sky is
depressed and crying today. I worry, worry ten fold
over you. Worry, mother told me not to do.
Honey, don't stay too long in the cold, tell the man
to get some soup and coffee. I worry you'll freeze to
death, did I tell you, no not yet. Worry five times more
to myself.
Honey, what about the beer and smoke? Lord, shield
him from folks who like to toke, this I worry about the
most. Our fate is up to you and no one else.
This worry makes me crazy, I can't do the math,
Emotional multiplication in negative numbers. Let
me simplify, I worry, worry, worry about my guy.
 Honey drive careful and honey walk cautious, don't
let a mean word ruin your day. If you do your
worrying that maybe no one cares, recall the girl
who worries over you, honey, I do.

September Busy Stuff.

  Things have been so busy lately. I have been thinking about blogging, but there just has not been enough hours in the day! But I am going to try to get back on schedule.
    School has started for us, I am in the 12th grade. I have been waiting for that day for the longest time, to be a Senior, to graduate! By June, I will be through with high school. I am planning a nice family party with some really sweet appetizers.
   Math and Science are the only things that I have trouble with. But things are getting a little easier, since we changed the format of school.
    I finally have a job! Sadly, I cannot tell you where, but I am in the food service industry. I like it a lot for the most part. Only had a few bad days, but I am trying to do my absolute best and be my at strongest. Will I ever let my manager see me cry? No way, Jose. If there is a way to be a sweetheart with a thick and unbreakable skin, I intend to be that girl.
   Why did I get a job? Not because I was bored. Not because people (not my folks)  say that 16 year olds should have a job. I want to save up to go to Ireland with my family next year! I will be going with my Aunt, Uncle and Cousin, I am so excited. Of course, I am worrying and doubting : What if I don't meet my goal of $2,000 by April?But if I work hard enough, I think I can do it.
   And if I don't? Naturally I will be a little heartbroken (ok, a lot) but I will have money in the bank, which is more then I can say then earlier this year!
   So basically this has been my brain all of September:
"Memorize that Sandwich.....negative numbers have that little dash next to them.....must get that blanket done....put some cream on that burn...where can you find records of coal miners?"
Lots of stuff.
   Don't you just love this weather? Something is in the air. It feels like something amazing is going to happen. I have the good kind of chills all over-it is a little bit confusing when you have good chills and then you have bad anxiety burning in your stomach. It is not a nice combination.
  So how about you? What are the busy September things in your life?

Chilly Days Ahead-Why You Should Love It-REALLY!

Summer is almost over. Would you believe it? This was one of the greatest Summer's and like all Summertimes, I do not want it to end. But it must. Because we have four seasons. It's unfortunate.
     You probably guessed it, Summer is my all time favorite season. I live and breathe it. I am not looking to Fall too much. I am not looking forward to Winter at all.
    My Mother and I were noticing, how gloomy and Pessimistic we can be about the chilly seasons approaching.  But instead of listing all of the horrible things about Fall and Winter, why not try to list the good things? So that is what I will try to do here.
   1: Sweaters: Yesss, striped zip up sweater, old pal o mine, it will be nice to see you. Had some great memories with that sweater. But seriously, when you are not doing dishes, longs sleeves will be a lot of fun!
   2: Leaves: Naturally, the leaves will be changing their colors, which an awesome walk around the block does make. Red is my favorite color for Fall leaves!
   3: Hot Chocolate: Who doesn't love that? You come in from the cold and stick that mug in the microwave...perfect! Especially the cute little packets with all the different flavors.
   4: For The Yarnies: If you knit or crochet, this one's for you. Nothing like making a big blanket that warms you as you work on it.
   5: Freshly Fallen Snow: When the snow first hits the ground, untainted by mud and cars, without foot prints.  Blindingly white against the chalky sky.
    6: Icicles: Those things are cool.
 7: Lights: Depending on where you live and if they celebrate all things that go with the Christmas Holliday, people will put lights on their house. Our family likes to drive at night to see the displays. And downtown is beautifully lit too.
   8: Christmas: One of my favorite times of the year.
 9: Baking: No more hot kitchens!
10: Hope: You know when this is all over, beloved Summertime returns again. Though you think this Winter will last forever, Summer eventually returns, thank God. Then you can take your coat off and look around in awe saying:
"Warm weather? You exist?"

Rambling About The Chocolate Factory.

     Four years old. Twelve years ago. That's a long, long time. Sometimes it feels like someone else's life, not my own. But then, sometimes I feel like it was just yesterday. Being three and four years old felt like magic. Every thing was magical! I would love so much to go back to those days....but you can't. However, I can still feel the exact same way as I had back then, and I did today.
        Because of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," the 1971 Gene Wilder version. The best version.
    This was my jam back in those days, that and "Annie". This movie was just so darn good! Now I can't remember if I used to watch it before or during the time when I got sick, which was in the age 3-4 bracket. But this movie, along with the town that I lived in at the time, are my favorite flashbacks. Gosh, I love my old town.
    Usually, when you go through Cancer, you don't want to remember anything about that time....and I don't. Somehow I erased a lot of those bad memories (although a lot of them still stick) but managed to keep the golden ones that happened right before I got sick. So watching this is one of my favorite memories from those days.
    The Johnny Depp remake does not stack up. The only thing right that they did about it was the tunnel scene. The original was creepy, the new one, not so much.. But the new one is just creepy all over. Besides, I like Gene Wilder a lot better then Johnny Depp.
   Yes. 16 in 2015 and I am a Johnny Depp nay sayer. In the words of Shania Twain, "That Don't Impress Me Much." Gene Wilder, darn it.
    Plus the original had different people playing those Oompa Loompas, whereas they only had one fella and CGI to do the job in the remake.
    And how can one go wrong with "Cheer Up Charlie"?
      I got to see it again today after not having watched it in a few years, I had completely forgotten how it made me feel, happy and nostalgic!
    The closing line is the best ever:
          “Mr. Wonka: "Don’t forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he wanted."

Charlie Bucket: "What happened?"
Mr. Wonka: "He lived happily ever after.”

       Makes me teary.

                          I miss being four.

Superhero Dog Capes!

Now for this one, we switch it up a bit! Instead of making something for a person, I made a few things for dogs!
    My cousin Joe asked me if I could make superhero capes for his three dogs. I thought hard about this. How would I make such a thing? I knew I couldn't sew them, since my inability to use scissors without botching fabric. I am left handed so that would have been crazy for me.
    I searched on Google and came upon something that was in my area of business. This crochet pattern for superhero capes is perfect! Here is the link:
http://poshpoochdesignsdogclothes.blogspot.com/2015/03/super-hero-dog-cape-free-crochet.html
     The colors I used were red, blue and orchid. I had never used the orchid color yarn, it was a treat, indeed.
    It was a very easy pattern to follow and I recommend it to anyone looking for canine gifts.

LET'S GET NAUTICAL!

Time to get a little nautical! Which is one of the greatest things to be! For someone who is scared of going into the ocean, I am crazy about the beach and all sorts of nautical things. I think it is amazing how the ocean brings so many gorgeous shells and rocks to the shore.

   While staying with my family, we got to go to two different beaches. The shells were plentiful there. My sister and I gathered them in a plastic bag and brought them home with us. Now...What to do with these goodies?

    At a thrift store downtown, my Mom found this shadow box type thing. It contained one lonesome starfish. My mother was gathering things to make a beach themed school room. She is a genius! She suggested we beach this shadow box up.

  Using Elmer's white glue, I glued these round pieces of colored glass to the frame. I also glued on some shells and rocks. I am actually surprised it is holding up! I took three of my biggest shells and three photo booth snapshots of my sister and I, and tried to stick them together with a glue stick.

     No cigar. 

      Mom suggested using mounting tape. GENIUS! The mounting tape did the trick. I also used mounting tape to mount those three shells to the inside of the frame. Then I used the regular Elmer's glue to glue the rest of the stuff.  Now that was a super duper fun project!

    Over many midnight episodes of "Three's Company", I finished this Sashay scarf. Aunt Lois showed me the ropes for these. These are a real blast to make too. They look like a lot of work, but are pretty easy, most of the effect is in the yarn itself! :)

Finger Knits, Scarves and Blankets Too!

    Fun new Summer projects here. But first, a little bit of business.
        Bring The Needle Down has a Facebook page now! My Mother suggested this expansion, can't believe I had not thought of it before! So you can find me at this link:
https://m.facebook.com/bringtheneedledown?ref=bookmarks
   Hopefully we can get more people visiting the blog, maybe it will inspire them to make things too! If you have any currant projects that you would like to show me, please post your photos in the comment box, via Blogger or Facebook. Thank you so much!
     Here are two Project Linus blankets that I made, using the Lion Brand "Jonah's Baby Throw" Pattern, which is the standard pattern I use for my baby blankets. The first blue one was made entirely from Lion Brand Pound Of Love yarn. 32x32. Pound Of Love is great.
    The second one was made from Lion Brand and Caron yarns. You can see the Caron brand in the center, in mint. I really like this yarn because it has a really nice shine to it. When I put it on a border, it reminds me of those blanket edges from "The Brady Bunch". Not crochet though. Fabric. If you look in one of the upperhand corners, you will see a tiny hat! I whipped that up at my Aunt and Uncle's house!
    Project Linus is such an amazing organization to be part of. You get to help so many kids, with love in every stitch!
   The black infinity scarf I am holding is for my Grandma. I hope to get it to her by the end of August. You can find the pattern right here:
  http://www.mooglyblog.com/artfully-simple-infinity-scarf/
   Last but not least, a finger knitted necklace! My Mom taught me finger knitting when I was younger, but I sort of gave it up- after all, what on Earth does one do with those long chains? However, the other day, I found this video on YouTube! Really quick and easy. To give it a little spice, I learned how to make a large rose (see video) and I stitched that on there too. Sorry if this photo is a little blurry, my sister and I were in a bit of a hurry!  
   What's next? I have a scarf in the works, a blanket, and hopefully some superhero capes for my cousin's dogs. What is next for you?
 

Hello Again!

      Hello again! It's been awhile. I feel bad, I only gave you guys less then five posts last month. I can't write up everyday, plus, I want to make sure my posts are interesting!
    Just got back last week from staying with my Aunt and Uncle, gosh I miss them a lot! It was a fun week. Also, I spent a lot of last month and June feeling quite under the weather, so those are the two reasons why I haven't written, or even ventured on Blogger to read my fellow blogger's postings! All this is to change soon, I hope.
   Lots of demands and plans for projects,  photos coming soon! I've even made another infinity scarf (also have the pattern committed to memory!) This time in black for my Grandma! Those infinity scarves are pretty fun to make, but a lot more fun to see people wearing the finished product!
     I seriously love to make things for people!!
    So, how is your Summer going? Did you get to go anywhere? Any thing on your hooks or needles? Let me know!

Frilly Socks and Fella Scarves.

Brand new fun stuff to show you today! It's been extra hot, it's a wonder how I can keep making stuff in this heat.  Especially blankets, but I have one on my I hook as we speak!
   First project are frilly sock tops! I found the video on YouTube after secretly desiring to have the pretty sock tops that they put on socks for kids. Like bows, some things I just never grow out of. So I decided to try my hand at these last night.
     They were kind of a pain in the neck to do, you have to stick your hook through the sock, so it requires an unnecessary amount of painful wrist twisting to get that initial round done. The rest is smooth sailing. Was pleasantly surprised that the yarn I chose matched my shoes! So if you too would like frilly sock tops just for the heck of it, here is the video. Feel free to see the other videos on the Hectanooga1 YouTube channel, this lady has great stuff.
    Second, I wanted to make my Uncle Scott a scarf, a nice manly scarf. This was cool because I rarely make stuff for fellas, mostly ladies and kids. Found this via Ravelry at this link: https://capedcrocheter.wordpress.com/2012/08/01/granite-stitch-mens-scarf/ it gave me a chance to practice a stitch I don't usually work, the extended single crochet. A variation of this and you get the Granite Stitch Scarf. This took me half a week, which was astonishing, it takes me forever to knit scarves, might as well keep the crochet route! ;)

More Fun Stuff!

Hope your Summer is going well! It is a nice breezy day here. Back to my full self and doing what I do, some more projects to show you!

   First, my Project Linus offering, seven preemie hats. Various sizes. The purple ones were made of Woolco yarn. The yellow ones were Caron. I think Caron yarn is nice because it is very soft. It is a little bit thinner then Red Heart yarn. I've committed preemie hat patterns to memory, so that I can whip them out quickly, sometimes I can do them in less then an hour, depending on how things are going!

   Second, a Sashay scarf, knitted. When my Aunt Lois came over, she taught me how to knit these. They look super complicated, but they are really easy to do. She makes them quickly. I would have too, but I wanted to make it last, I was getting sentimental working on my Aunt Lois project, and it was kind of like having her here with me, when she went back home.

   Last is a photo of Aunt Lois teaching me to make the scarves in her hotel room. She taught me the ropes, and she is working on a blanket, which you see here. She is really fast, she can make blankets in a week. It was great being able to spend time with her.

   So tell me, what is your speediest project? What are you making now? Do you have people in your family that taught you to do cool stuff, and you look up to? Let me know!

Starfish!!



Once again, so sorry I have not written, July has been a super busy month, plus, I have been back in business again, only coughing now! Things get better all the time. I probably won't write much during the week from July 24th, going to be with my Auntie!

So here is a fun project that I made for two of my little sisters. Starfish amigurumi! This was a real challenge, as I have never attempted to to do these before! All of my things are usually flat pieces or hats! 

I found this pattern on Ravelry, it is by Sabrina Boscolo, thank you Sabrina! Here is said pattern: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/starfish-amigurumi

They were easy to make, once you get the hang of it. You fill it up with Polyfil, good stuff. I used Jade and Perfect Pink Red Heart yarn for these projects. Took me a few days to complete, my immune system would not cooperate with me!

If you try this out, let me know, you can give them to kids, or just have them around the house for nautical goodness. Behind the starfish is my Mother's new rolling pin.

It's very nice too.

What projects are you working on? Let me know!

Infinity Scarf 2.

Hello again! Happy Fourth Of July! Hope you all are enjoying this wonderful day of celebrating America (unless you are from out of the country!) We are going to have some nice hamburgers tonight. 

   Here is the scarf I was telling you about, being modeled by Dad's mannequin. It is The Artfully Simple Infinity Scarf, pattern found here: http://www.mooglyblog.com/artfully-simple-infinity-scarf/ They kid you not, the pattern is simple! This scarf is for my friend Laura. She is really cool, and very stylish, every trendy girl needs the "In" scarf.

   I had to take a small hiatus from this scarf, due to getting sick. Somehow, the direction of the stitch got turned the other way, and it ended up facing an arrow like shape! I am so happy that a mistake can turn into beauty. Those are the good parts of life.

   Now, for this scarf, you have to chain two hundred and fifteen chains and join it with a slip stitch. I find it impossible to have that many chains and then join it without that chain twisting up! So I found a little hack for that on YouTube, some time ago. You chain your 215 chains, and then single crochet in each chain. Then and only then, do you make that slip stitch to join both sides together.

   Used a size K hook and Soft White Super Saver Yarn by Red Heart.

   Hope that helps!

Summertime Sickness.

   Happy July everyone! Hope you are in good health and enjoying this beautiful Summertime weather!
    I feel bad for not blogging in the last week or so, I've been down with a Cold that I caught from my sister, I am not even mad at her, better to get this cold over with before we stay with our Aunt!
   This cold has been on since last Friday, when we came home from dropping Dee off at camp. Came home and promptly threw up in a bag. The thing I like about being a sick teenager is that I care so much about the mess I have to clean, I make sure my trajectory is good!
   So this was me all week, in bed or throwing up. I couldn't crochet. Which was pretty crummy. Just watched whatever came on "Antenna TV." Discovered that I like "Three's Company." A lot.
   Now, my sister Dee on the other hand, was the model sick person. She just takes it. When she was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes, all she said was "Ok." That's why I look up to my little sister.
    Back in business today though, just coughing a little. I have a new scarf on the K hook, an infinity scarf (like the one in one of my last posts) a soft white color, Red Heart. For my friend Laura, who is just the coolest.
   So, what is going on with you? What is on your project list?
       Special shout out to Audra at "A Path To Create, Not Find" for a mention in one of her latest articles, read it here!
  http://apathtocreatenotfind.blogspot.com/2015/06/upbeat-music-playlist.html

Jerry Delivered!

  This has been one exciting week. So exciting, that I did not have much time to write. There wasn't as many blog posts as last month, but I want each post to be good and full of interesting content, you see.
    This story begins the day before yesterday. I was in my bedroom in the middle of the afternoon. My sister Zaira comes up and hands me a manila envelope. I look down,  I only see my address. It is my handwriting in green marker. Slightly confused and almost disheartened, I think that it is the letter I sent out to Jerry Lewis, coming back to me, unopened. Return to sender.
   But realization kicks in. I remember, I decorated the letters envelope in multicolored marker stars! The envelope I was holding was the return envelope that I had enclosed with the letter, that is what you do if you want to get anything. The post Mark is Las Vegas.
   I jet downstairs in a flurry of excitement, getting my Mother. I tear open the back of the envelope-"Be Careful!" My mother tells me, I am so bad at opening envelopes. I see a flash of thin card board and glossy paper. I carefully pull out a photo, a signed photo from Jerry Lewis!!!
  The inscription was: "To Raven, My best wishes, Jerry Lewis. 15." It made me so happy, I had written so many others, who never wrote back. I sent my letter out, not expecting anything to happen, but still nursing the flames of hope and counting the days. Of course, earlier this month, I did stop counting the days, but I never lost hope or let myself get disappointed.
    And finally, it all paid off. I am so happy about this. I knew he wouldn't let me down, Jerry is from the old school of Hollywood, he knows the importance of letters and such. What a fantastic fella he is. I was crying and laughing at the same time, it was very unexpected.
   This week has been one for the books.

Hats, Headbands And Scarves.

A few projects to share! Sorry I haven't been on, hectic week getting my sister off to camp.
   First project, an infinity scarf for my Aunt Debbie!! This was fun tomake, a Ravelry pattern. I used Red Heart yarn in the color of Jade. This was my first infinity scarf. You can find this lovely and easy pattern at this link http://www.mooglyblog.com/artfully-simple-infinity-scarf/ I used my father's mannequin to model, she did a wonderful job. You can do the scarf in one skein and still have a little left over.
   Second, headbands for my sister's!! I used Bernat Baby Blanket yarn in Pitter Patter color. I can not stress how amazing this yarn is. So soft. The flowers were made with a rose pattern, you can see the video on one of my last posts. These were the first things I made after my day break, I haven't taken another one yet.
   The last one is a hat my sister Dee did, her first hat, I am so proud!! The back came out a little pointy, but being the improviser she is, she flipped the brim in Fedora fashion! This is going to Project Linus, I am so proud. You can find the initial pattern here: http://www.crochetspot.com/free-crochet-pattern-newborn-baby-hat/
  Sorry my post was a little short, I am just getting back into the swing of things, long trips do that to me, but I love road trip immensely!

Morning Routine.

   This blog post is in response to a video by MissJudyBeauty on YouTube! Here is her video. First off, Judy, totally enjoying your videos! It is really neat to meet such a cool person, who went through things similar to what I went through. You rock, Warrior Queen! Ok, so here is my morning routine.
   I am homeschooled, so things are a little different. I set my alarm for 9:20, when school starts in September, I vow to get up earlier! Like you, I make the bed (because seriously, who wants to come into the room and see a messy bed?) I brush my teeth. I wash my face with these little green face scrubbies. I put on Equate skin cream, (smells so good) and wash that off. Leaves your face feeling Tingley. Then I put on Palmer's Cocoa Butter, because I have really dry skin after washing my face! This stuff is really nice.
   After getting dressed (it could be anything, except pajama pants and sweat pants, which I don't like too much, more of a jeans and leggings kind of gal, skirts and dresses too) I throw on some chapstick. I used to use EOS until it ran out now I am using Chap Ice. Deodorant is Dove. Powder scent, really love that. My usual perfume is "Loves Baby Soft" which is kind of powdery/floral. My favorite.
   I put on purple eyeshadow every day. I'm only wearing purple eyeshadow until my cousin Wyatt gets better, he has Neuroblastoma. Purple is the cancer color. I also pin a cross to my chest every day in support of him also.
   If I am up early enough, I make a basted egg and Spam. Usually I just eat some Krave or a cereal bar. I don't like to eat a lot for breakfast for some reason.
   I only put on lipstick when I am going out, I am vowing to wear more makeup, I just want to find my make up style first!!
   By the way, Happy 17th Birthday Judy!!

Day Off?

   This is going to be an interesting day. My day off. You heard it. I hate the sound of it. MY DAY OFF FROM CROCHETING!! The last few weeks have been a little rough for me, but not to the point where I couldn't function. It all started on that day where I tried to empty the pool. It's been back and arm pain since then. And then, every day, it's something new. If it's not the back, it's the head, if it's not the head, it's the arms....but then, it's always the arms.
   Plus, this week, I got one of my allergy shots. I get two every week. This time, my arms got quite swollen and on one day, so painful I thought I was going to throw up. There was a prop mistress on "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" who accidentally injected herself with formaldehyde while getting a prop ready.... I imagine this is what it had to feel like. Called the doctor. Told me to take a Benadryl. I did. Pretty much knocked me out there. Fell asleep with a numb face for a half hour. This was quite distressing as I had not done the mornings dishes and I had a blanket to finish. Then on top of that my anxiety has been bothering me for no apparent reason.
  But oddly enough, even through this stupid pain, I have been churning out blankets, headbands and hats like some kind of creative machine. I'm on every day, production never quits. So my Dad said I should take a break because he sees how crazy intense it is! At first I thought it was a crazy idea, but he is talking sense. I'm probably wrecking my arms. So today, I am going to give it a break, and it is going be hard, I pretty much live and breath yarn. But what to do, what to do in its place, besides the chores I usually do?
  Well Monday is laundry day, I always do that. I could read. There's dishes. Thank you notes to deliver.....
   WHY DO I HAVE TO LOVE CROCHETING SO MUCH AND WHY DOES IT HAVE TO HURT?

Star Wars, At Last.

Well, finally got to see the epic motion picture that is STAR WARS!! My little brother is a big Star Wars fan. So he was watching the first movie. I've never really had an ultimate desire to watch it, thinking it may possibly be boring. Last night I thought, what the heck? Give it a shot!
   Of course I missed the beginning of the movie (I was in the shower) but I saw the most part of it! Well I was quite entertained! They have the cool 70s special effects and space, Harrison Ford in the younger years, Carrie Fisher before' the Burbs' (and one must wonder, how did they do her hair?)
  So now, I have to see the beginning some time, it's no good to come in on a movie in the middle, you miss the plot, so I ended up asking Jesse some questions! This song here, also explains the plot of Star Wars. "Star Wars Cantina" by Richard Cheese, to the tune of Barry Manilow's "Copacabana". I've listened to this twice today, makes me crack up!
  I hear they are making a new Star Wars, so we had better watch all of the old movies first!!
  How about you? Did you see Star Wars? What is your favorite part of the first movie, your favorite character? Comment below!
 

Days Of Blankets And Roses (Hats Too)

New projects from the last few weeks!! These were a lot of fun to make, I assure you that.
  Number one. This is a slouchy beanie, very popular hat these days, and I am crazy about making them. This is my second one. This one is very special, I made it for a nurse I know at the doctors office! I took a photo of it before I went to the doctors! It was made with Red Heart Perfect Pink yarn. I got the pattern from this website, it is a really fun pattern to try out! http://www.jennlikesyarn.com/blog/2012/03/free-crochet-pattern-really-easy On top of that, you will be in style, darlings.
   Photo the second. Tiny crochet rose hair clips! Also made these on my nurse appreciation spree, making them for all of the ladies at the office! They looked mighty fine, some pinned them on their shirts, some in their hair! I got the initial rose pattern from a YouTube video by Yolanda Soto Lopez. The video is here if you want to learn how to Do this, you can knock one out in fifteen minutes.
   Third photo is the back of the flower. We have a Bobby pin, woven into the back loops. The pins were my mother's idea. I was going to sew the pin on, but there was no way a sewing needle was going to fit in the clasp of that pin, no adequate sewing to be done in such a tight space! The Bobby pin will hold...keep the faith!
  Last, another Project Linus blanket! Of course using my favorite Lion Brand pattern. Lion Brand, Woolco and Sayelle yarn used here. 32x32. I only had problems near the end, was experiencing arm pain. I was emptying a kiddie pool with a pot and somehow hurt my arms and back. Just pain, no doctors or hospital needed! But thanks to that stupid pot, it has been slow going, as far as blanket making is concerned. But I was not going to let it stop me! Babies need blankets, darn it, I'm gonna deliver. Finished the blanket this morning. Ready for the next meeting, the week after next!
  What's on your project agenda? Let me know!

The Merman Of Duomo.

This fantastic yard sale find led me to a history lesson! I was not content just to have this picture, I wanted the back story. After typing in "screaming choking gargoyle fish man statue" and having no luck, my Dad had an idea. He took the photo out of the frame and the location of this guy was written right on the back! "Mermen Cathedral Of Santa Maria, Milan". Dad was so right in thinking Italy! So I decided to take this new found info and get more facts!
  I found the photo at this link! http://www.swide.com/art-culture/history/milan-duomo-puts-gargoyles-up-for-adoption/2012/11/30
  Apparently, he is a Merman! Very fascinating, wouldn't you say?
  According to Wikipedia, this cathedral has a lot of names, Most commonly, Milan Cathedral, aka, Duomo Di Milano, in Italian. The Duomo has many fascinating facts, which I found here at this site. https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/milan/milan-duomo-facts I will put some of the notable ones that caught my eye, here.
   There are 3,400 statues, 135 gargoyles and 700 figures!
  It is the 5th largest Christian church in the world!
 Construction started in the year 1386. Could you imagine this? They really knew how to make things beautiful, such an amazing, lovely, yet scary structure. Kind of like the building definition of God!
  Lovely
  Magniftcent
   Powerful
  Scary.
    The builders were definitely thinking of God when they made this church. That is a lot of church right there!
  One day, I'd like to see this Duomo in the flesh. But for now, I will hang up my anguished merman and figure out what to name him.
   Lots of thanks to Mom's friend Rhiannon for donating my merman to the yard sale!!

Yard Sale Pickins.

  Yesterday, we had a benefit yard sale for Wyatt! There was a lot of stuff, so we decided to buy some things too! So I went yard sale picking. There was no Slim Pickins here. Some Wonderful Gut stuff (if you wanna talk Dutch!!)

   Ok, first item. Item of my dreams. I've wanted a peacock chair since I was a little girl. I mean, this chair was EVERYWHERE. Morticia Addams had one. I saw it in a Partrdige Family promo photo. Marc Bolan was even seen with one. I've only seen a few in my life, always too expensive. Then we got a bargain! I hope to crochet some flowers to stick on parts of the chair, very garden like.

   Second, this is a weird photo, odd angle. I was taking photos with my Mother's Kindle. These are actually really small, little Delft figurites. Our family always dug the Delft!

  Third, a little Avon boxy thing. It might have been lip balm, but it's powdery at the same time. I can barely read the back label. It smells nice though.

   Fourth, a Hello Kitty Messenger bag! I love Snoopy and Hello Kitty. Snoopy especially. The only dog I tolerate!

   Five, an I Like Boys pin. Because seriously, I like boys and why not have a pin that states it so plainly?

   Six, I love this. I really do. It's a photo of a stone gargoyle, fish, screaming man. Whatever it is. I saw it and I thought it was so funny. It's been a day and I am still laughing. Why not have something interesting in your room, to go with your peacock chair and Blues Brothers poster? That's right, none of those things match, it's just fun!

   Been to any good yard sales as of late?

HE'S HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN!

    A new oldie but goodie movie! I watched this one after "Easter Parade" and meant to review "Easter Parade", but I was so tired when I watched it, forgot most of it! Good thing it was so good, I'd see it again.
   But today, we do "Hans Christian Andersen." This was released in 1952, this time period was fantastic for musicals, the 40s and 50s. It clearly states that this is not a biopic: "Once upon a time there lived in Denmark a great storyteller named Hans Christian Andersen. This is not the story of his life, but a fairy tale about this great spinner of fairy tales". Let me tell you, this movie is AMAZING! And colorful too!
  Danny Kaye plays Hans, who is a shoemaker and teller of fairy tales. He tells stories to all of the neighborhood children, which usually keeps them late for school, and the teacher and some townspeople have had it. Before they can tell Hans to leave town, Peter (Joseph Walsh) a young apprentice to Hans, convinces him to leave the village for the city of Copenhagen.
  So off he goes down the road and on the boat to the capital of Denmark. He ends he ends up meeting a beautiful ballerina who needs new ballet shoes (played by Zizi Jeanmaire) and Hans is smitten. He is also upset to find that she is married and has a husband with a bad temper.
  So what does the Hans do? What happens to the ballerina? How does Hans Christian Andersen get to be famous near the end? All answers shall be revealed on DVD! Go get it from the library!
  There are some killer tunes here including the title track. There is "Inchworm", "Thumbelina" and "The Ugly Duckling", etc. "Thumbelina" might be my favorite. It would be impossible for me to go on a Danny Kaye quest, as there is not much of his at the library. I still would like to see "The Court Jester" and "The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty."
   Yes. Before Ben Stiller, Danny Kaye was the Mitty. Ben Stiller is really funny, wonder if the old one is just as good! The trailer looks GREAT! Danny Kaye is second on my list of old time guys who throw me into hysterics. So funny! Of course, Jerry Lewis is first on my list. This movie is not exactly funny, but it is amazing!
   There is a ballet near the end with Zizi and the a bunch of other ballerinas dancing the "Little Mermaid". It was pretty cool, but I am more of a tap girl! This was good, my brother, sister and I dug it.
  Ok, about the real Hans. His stories were great, a lot of them made me cry. "The Steadfast Tin Soldier", "The Little Mermaid" (the story one, not Disney) and "The Little Match Girl."
  Oh My God.
    The fest of tears had I reading this stuff. Can't decide which is sadder.
    Got this photo from Eil.com. It's the soundtrack cover. I've actually seen this in my lice. How dumb I am to not have picked it up! Back in the Days before Kaye.
How about you? Ever see this? What Hans story made you cry the most? If you are not prone to calling yourself a human faucet, which is your favorite? Let me know!

Bernat Baby Yarn Fun.

  A little bit of late posting going on here! I'd be a lot faster if I did not have to rely on my sister to take my photos. This is a follow up to the yarn haul post!
   This yarn is Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn. Thank you, Diane! Really appreciate it! I went to a crocheting group on Facebook asking, what does one do with this yarn? What type of yarn is this? So Laura from Over The Head Threads hooked me up with her delicious pattern for a baby hat. The hat was hers,  the pom pom was my own! Thank you Laura!
  So I finally got to use my size N hook for this, which was a lot of fun, since the hook is big and chunky. This yarn is a little hard to work with, but as long as you use your fingers to feel along the stitches, you should be fine. I crocheted this in around an hour, listening to some John Denver, which I haven't done in a while. Must say, John Denver has perfect yarny music.
  Instead of using a fork as usual, I just wrapped the  yarn around my hand 35 times for the pom pom. Like they sang in "Here Comes Peter Cottontail": "If You can't get it all together, improvise"! Wise 1970s wisdom.
  Next, a knitted head band. I can't remember which book had it, but it was a children's knitting book. Lots of fun to make, the one knitting pattern I know by heart! This yarn knits up really quickly! I was at 16 inches in no time.
   Highly recommend this yarn, so soft and perfect for those babies!

YARN HAUL!

Had quite the yarn haul yesterday! Yes indeedy. Dee took these photos, she's the one with the phone, always depending on my sister for photos!! 

    So, the top and bottom ones. I am not sure what type of yarn the top one is, but it is very soft and thick. I imagine it would require a big hook. My N hook is up for the challenge. Will have to ask some crochet ladies what type of yarn it is. The yarn was given to me by a nice lady named Diane, who brought some things over for the benefit yard sale!

    She also gave me the yarn in the bottom photo. Never in my life did I think I'd get to see "Aunt Lydia's Heavy Rug Yarn" in the flesh! Or in the Rayon/Cotton. Many cool colors like National Blue, Tangerine, Burnt Orange, Yellow, Antique Gold, Blue, Wood Brown and Rust. Lovely!

    Yesterday morning, my awesome Mother surprised me with three skeins of Red Heart!! Soft White, Perfect Pink and Jade. Absolutely gorgeous.

   Also featured in the photos is my bed and Aunt Lois blanket, as always!! There are no words for how much I love my Aunt and the blanket she made me!

    What is your favorite type of yarn? Let me know!