Oh the laziness of it all!

I can't figure out what the block is, but I have the yarn to make a red and white afghan for me. I've almost got the design figured out and have started on a few of the squares, but for some reason I keep finding other projects to work on. I will even go exercise before picking up my red and white yarn. I love the yarn it is so soft and feels so good in my fingers, easy to work with too, but there is this wall or drudgery when it comes time for me to actually work on the squares. Last week-end I made 4 pairs of fingerless gloves, 2 wash clothes (knitted even) and now I've started a pair of slippers. I'm looking through my books for other ideas of things to make, just so I don't have to work on THE afghan. I have got to get over this. The only thing I can think of is that I have yet to figure out the oblong 3x6 block that will be needed. So I am going to just make 1 square a day until it is done. (sounds like a good plan anyway)

The knitted wash cloth. Lots of mistakes, but I learned A LOT making this. The first time through I didn't have the pattern figured out and it was all a mess, until the last 12 rows something clicked, and it looked so good. So I took it all out and started again. I crocheted an edge all the way around, I just like the finished look that gives. I'm looking forward to the day I take on a knitted sweater!

Be My Valentine, or Not

I hardly bake anymore since it's just me and Frank, we'd end up more over weight then we already are. I used to make sugar cookies when the kids were home and they would help me decorate them. I sure miss those times. I always seem to break down at Valentines and Christmas and make my sugar cookies. I don't like Royal Icing, it gets so hard and there's no flavor, I'm sure it's easier to decorate with, but I'm all about flavor. I used buttercream on these, like always. Too soft to work with, but so good to eat. Happy Valentines Day, I'll eat a cookie for you!

Broomstick Lace

I love the look of Broomstick Lace, I've only tried it once, and well it was a disaster. So when I joined on of my last swaps on Craftster, the sweat shoppe swap, and this scarf from Broomstick lace was being offered I had to make it my first choice. In this swap you make 5 items all the same and then pick your top 5+ items and hopefully you get some that you picked.
The finer the yarn you use the more lacy it looks.
The gal who made this scarf goes by Guineverefree, I think she did a really good job. It's inspired me to try it again.
I also got this tile necklace. Made by Klum78. A lot of the items I get I use for presents, but I really like the looks of this, so I'll probably keep it, and maybe someday I'll even wear it! I guess I could use it as my "fishing" necklace, since I don't have fishing "diamonds"!

A Little More Tie Action

When I talked with my friend Zonia last, she mentioned the tie aprons I was supposed to be making, in other words get off my butt and get busy! They seemed to go together really easy, I'm thinking it was a nice break from crocheting. I would have modeled them, but for some reason aprons and short chunky people don't go together. I think you need to be tall and thin for an apron, at least these aprons! So the pictures aren't that great, but here are 4 of the 7 that I managed to crank out the last couple of days:

I was hoping to use most of my stash of ties, but it barely made a dent. So I supposed I could always make more if needed.

A Little Chocolate for Inspiration

I joined a chocolate swap on Craftster while I was in Washington, made most of my stuff while I was gone, but finished up and sent the last item this week. Since she has received I can post pictures now. I had seen this swamp and had wanted to participate for a while, so I'm glad I finally had the opportunity. I'm still waiting to receive my package, but will post pictures when it arrives. Along with the chocolatey goodness like, Seattle Chocolates, Mocha chocolate bar from Sitka, a Cadbury Flake bar, plus other chocolate bars and some chocolate peanut butter rice crispy treats, I did craft these items to send too:
A magnetic recipe holder, with the chocolate rice crispy recipe,


A chocolate inspired scarf, Chocolate Squares, with pockets to either keep your stash or keep your hands warm,
And some long fingerless gloves that my partner had on her "wist" list. How better to eat chocolate and keep you hands warm?!