Crochet Owl Hats ~ For Babies

 So I'm creating so many items that the wine glasses now have hats, you say? LOL They are the best models I could find for these cutie-cute hats. The genesis of which is that we received word that a new baby will be joining the family in the spring!! Oldest grand and wife are expecting their first!! Yikes!! I can hardly believe it!! Wasn't he just thrilling us by being the first-born grand?? Now he's having a child??! And, and--wasn't his mother, our daughter, recently a mere babe herself??! Time is fleeting, does fly, and all of that!

These little hats are SO much fun to make and work up quickly. Since baby is due in April, the gender is still in question. Not a problem!! I made a boy's version in 0-3 months size and a girlie-girl hat in newborn size. My hope is that dear grandson's child will be the opposite gender of the neighbor's baby due in the winter. We'll see.

Want to make an owl hat or three?? The pattern is free here . I used a size G hook with stash yarn in DK;the pink is a light weight baby yarn. I really thought about what to use for the eyes since buttons are a safety concern and decided that they were safe for a newborn who wouldn't be pulling on them. The mommies will probably cut them off, which is fine, too.

What's your current project?

Prayer Shawl ~ Lala

FO report!! Yaaay!! This version of Lala's Simple Shawl is for our church's prayer shawl ministry. I first blogged it here: http://yarnknitreadlit.blogspot.com/2012/08/lalas-simple-shawl-wip.html 

You can also see it here. It's a stash buster using I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby and size 13 needles. While the pattern is easy, it yields a very pretty shawl with a bit of style.  My prayers travel with it to bless someone in our community.

What are you knitting?

http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/2012/09/fo-friday-106.html

Grilling Season by Diane Mott Davidson

 Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56.
*Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grabs you.
*Post it at  http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/ 

Have you read any of Diane Mott Davidson's cozy mysteries featuring Goldie the caterer? I've begun another, The Grilling Season, a fun cozy mystery set in the fictional mountain town of Mountain Meadows which seems to be based on an actual community not far from where I live. It's always a joy to read a book with a familiar setting as I can pick up on recognizable details. 

p. 56 says, "He banged the phone down and regarded me dolefully. After a moment he said, "You look terrible, Mom." 

"Thanks."

"Why don't you cook or something?" 

       

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I'm joining the "Fibers on Friday" posting at http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com My newest WIP is this "But I'm Biased" scarf at http://ladyochron.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/sept-09-v1point2-pdf2.pdf It knits in a jiffy with an easy two row pattern that creates a lacy, mesh-like fabric. 

I am using Malabrigo worsted, Red Java #79, and size 9 circs. I wonder if they even make this color any more because I've had this one gifted skein for a few years now. This pattern seemed to call for it. 

What are you making this weekend?

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Louise Penny & The Brutal Telling

The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Louise Penny doesn't disappoint with this book in the Three Pines series. She amazingly weaves so many threads of the story into a tapestry, relating a tale about the death of "the hermit" in the woods. As always, I enjoy her cleverness, wit, and her ability to write with beauty as she relates a complex and entertaining story. A wonderful story. A gripping read.

View all my reviews

Truth Like the Sun

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• Share the title & author

Link it at : http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/

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I just started Truth Like the Sun by Jim Lynch.  Set in Seattle during the World's Fair in 1962, it brings back memories of when my parents traveled across the country to attend the World's Fair there. I have the sterling silver space needle charm on my bracelet to prove it! Here's a tease:

"This is when and where it begins, with all the dreamers champagne-drunk and stumbling on the head of a needle."

A captivating opening sentence, don't you think?

What are you reading this week?

Granny Love

Click the link to visit Kara at her beautiful blog.

LaLa's Simple Shawl ~ WIP

 Lailah says, "Hello! She won't play with me. She just keeps knitting and reading blogs...like yesterday...and the day before...and the day before that...."

http://ambassadorcrochet.com/2012/08/22/wip-wednesday-38/ 

http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/2012/08/work-in-progress-wednesday-107.html

" Here’s how it works:

Show off what you’re making. Post a photo of a project you’re in the middle of….as much or as little of it as you want. Crochet, knit, sewing, quilting, you name it. Add the link to your project..." 

 So I've just started LaLa's Simple Shawl for our prayer shawl ministry at church. You can find the pattern at www.theknitgirllls.com  Of course, I am not at all able to follow the pattern exactly. So, I've adjusted how many rows of this and how many repeats of that, but basically it is the LaLa Shawl.

 

 It is a combination of stockinette, garter, and lace rows. You can see the st and garter with the center increases. I am now starting the first lace row. Lace row = fancy name for a row of YO and K2tog. I leave you with a view of a planter on our deck.

Happy knitting, reading, crocheting!

WWW Wednesdays

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

I am currently reading a mystery,  The Brutal Telling, by Louise Penny and an atmospheric story of learning and knowing,  Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier

The last book I read is Dearie: The Remarkable of Life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz.

The next book that I plan to read is Alice Munro: Writing Her Lives: A Biography by Robert Thacker. I checked it out via Over Drive and have it waiting on my Nook.

Teaser ~ The Brutal Telling

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• Share the title & author

Link it at : http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/

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My Teaser is from The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny:

" 'All of them? Even the children?' The fireplace sputtered and crackled and swallowed his gasp. 'Slaughtered?' " 

This definitely gave me pause because I do not typically read books with violence. Because I am slowly reading through Louise Penny's "Three Pines" novels, I decided to forge ahead. Penny's writing is so engaging with flashes of humor that I pace myself through her books so they last a bit longer. Of course, the story of the most recent murder in the village of Three Pines further develops information about the residents as we meet new characters, as well.

Have you read any Louise Penny? 

Unusual Creatures by Chevalier

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56.
*Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grabs you.
*Post it at  http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/ 

Remarkable Creatures

by Tracy Chevalier

page 56

"We needed fossils. I wanted to go out too, even with the cold, but I was stuck indoors, juggling baby about to stop his crying. He was such a squally little thing it was hard to like him. The only thing that shut him up was when I held him tight and jiggled him and sang 

"Don't Let Me Die An Old Maid" over and over."

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A book with characters who are fossil hunters? I know! Strange topic? Maybe. This book is about the writing, the descriptions of a harsh setting that somehow draws my curiosity in what could possibly be happening in this story. The characters are sharply defined. As I realize that I am interested in this quiet, rather plodding, account of the people in an unappealing setting with unusual, muddy attitudes, I wonder where on earth this story is leading. At this point, it seems to be about the lives of people doing what they do and that common humanity which exists in each of us.

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Wendy Tote

 I am joining Kristine at http://ambassadorcrochet.com/2012/08/15/wip-wednesday-37/ for "Work In Progress Wednesday" with the purse I am currently knitting. After finishing the quick crochet hat , I moved on to the "Wendy Tote".

 So here I am in 90+ degree weather drawn to creating felted bags!! And, that's what I am doing in the AC and with a fan running. The purple is the beautiful Cascade Heathers and has gorgeous strands of blue  twisted with the purple. The black is Cascade 220. I may be switching to the dark blue when I use all of the black. Given the size of this bag, I would call it a purse rather than a tote. The free pattern is available at http://silkieknit.blogspot.com/2007/07/this-is-my-first-posted-design-pattern.html This is an easy, cute pattern. I haven't decided whether I will add the flowers to the bag. If I do, I think I'll make it removable. It depends on how anxious I am to felt and finish!

What on you making on this hot summer day?

http://crochetaddictcfs.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/what-you-doing-wednesday-week-21.html

Finished and Beginning

I'm joining the "Fibers on Friday" posting at http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/ and the "Book Beginnings" at http://www.rosecityreader.com/

I crocheted this sweet baby hat in a six months size for my friend's newborn granddaughter using "I Love This Yarn" and a size H hook. This is a fast and easy pattern for a cute, little gift available for free at http://allicrafts.blogspot.com/2011/07/free-pattern-butterfly-hat-3-months.html 

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My book beginning is from Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier:

"Lightening has struck me all my life. Just once was it real. I shouldn't remember it, for I was little more than a baby. But I do remember."

This story could go in so many different directions given that dramatic opening. How the author incorporates this particular event is unfolding as I read so I do not yet know the form of it. The writing, however, is another of Chevalier's atmospheric pieces where the mood carries the reader into a misty beach front world of many possibilities. I find it to be dream-like and beckoning. This work of fiction is about Mary Anning, an acquaintance of Jane Austen who is a renowned fossil collector in the late 19th century.

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Another Ravelry Swap ~ For Kicks!

First, a package from a July swap and now an early package for an August swap! How fun!

 Regan sent all of these goodies for "Stuff For Your Head" on Ravelry. I know!! Crazy!!

Lailah looks a bit suspicious, wondering if I'm going to eat the duck and cranberry treats my swap partner sent. I didn't! Lailah loves them, of course!! Thanks to Regan for all the gifts!

Ravelry Swap ~ Too Many Cooks!

It's always fun to receive a package! I received a swap gift yesterday for the Magic Ball "Too Many Cooks" kitchen swap on Ravelry. My partner's Rav name is Mahogany71. 

Many thanks to her for the loaded Magic Ball!

As I began to unwind the Lion Brand "Hometown USA" yarn, a yellow scrubbie was the first item to pop out.

She used a Red Hat theme with towels and hot pot that she sewed and crocheted. I appreciate the time she took to personalize my gifts . The purple "Silk Bamboo" yarn by Patons  will make a lovely scarf. Now I have some new kitchen items too: a spoon rest, a small pan for cooking one egg, a cute chicken timer, coaster, scrub brush, and oven mitt.

Many thanks to Nakisha for the very thoughtful gifts.

The Expats

The Expats by Chris Pavone

My Rating: 5/5

Cleverly developed tale of deceit and con jobs

Non-linear time format that imparts a sense of urgency to the story line

Interesting, multifaceted characters

Unexpected twists and turns that pique interest

Very satisfying read!

BARACK OBAMA THE STORY

Barack Obama: The Story by David Maraniss


BARACK OBAMA THE STORY by David Maraniss is the product of extensive research, interviews, and deconstruction of DREAMS FROM MY FATHER by Barack Obama. The author examines the ethos of each of Obama's parents beginning the family stories with the grandparents. The social structures of Kenya and Nairobi provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives and culture of Obama's African ancestors. Beginning with a historical perspective in Africa  and concluding with Obama's entrance into Harvard Law School, the author thoroughly documents and explains key events as well as the day-to-day life of the President as a young man. I wonder if Maraniss will write another book or two about Barack Obama by picking up at Law School and on through his Presidency. If you enjoy detailed, sometimes pedantic, biography this might be the book for you!

View all my reviews

Book Beginnings ~ The Story by Maraniss

Oh Happy Thursday! Got a UPS delivery that made me wanna shout with joy to the world! My order arrived from Amazon containing two hardback books that I know I want to keep in my library. Am I unfaithful to my Nook Reader? No, we can all get along. So, I have started Barack Obama The Story by David Maraniss. I love reading Maraniss, a historian whose writing reminds me of James Michener--another favorite. No detail is left unturned---uh, kind of like a stone. oh well. So I am beginning with The Story and citing it below for "Book Beginnings on Friday" hosted at www.rosecityreader.com

"Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name."


"On Thanksgiving morning in 1926, the Dunhams set out from their home in Topeka, traveling down U.S. Route 75 on a forty-five-mile ride through autumn countryside. Five people were in the car: the parents, Ralph and Ruth Armour Dunham; their two young sons, Ralph Jr. and Stanley; and Ralph Sr.'s brother, Earl, who worked with him at an auto garage."


And me, the reader is in the car also, wondering how this forty-five-mile trip is going to lead me into President Obama's life story. And, thus far, the ride is fascinating. 

Saturday Snap ~ Glass Sculpture

This magnificent sculpture hangs in the Visitors Center at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Artist Dale Chihuly created it with 928 blue and clear glass spirals and goose neck shapes. It weighs 2300 pounds and is six-feet wide and 20+ feet in length. It is absolutely spectacular to view with the light glinting off the glass shapes. For more information visit http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/media/fact-pages/ridgway-visitor-center.aspx 

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot, post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post at http://athomewithbooks.net/2012/06/saturday-snapshot-june-23/

Saturday Snapshot ~ Lantern Festival

This magnificent dragon greeted us at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis when my DH and I went to see the Lantern Moon Festival. We rode the tram through the gardens enjoying grand, colorful  displays.

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post at  http://athomewithbooks.net/2012/06/saturday-snapshot-june-16/

Yarn Along ~ Shiprock Bears

Our church is gathering supplies for the Covenant Education Center day care/elementary serving infants through fifth grade children in Shiprock, NM, in the Four Corners area. I decided to use some stash to make little bears for the children. The pattern is clever, quick, and simple! Sign me up! I can make a pile of these to send although I only have a pile of three at the moment.

As I created a little eight-row leg on six stitches, I read The Book Lover by Mary McFadden, an enchanting story about two "bookie" women and their lives. The author and the independent book seller cross paths and the book flows wonderfully from there. A major storyline is the demise of small bookstores and the perils in pursuit of becoming a published author. It intertwines in beautiful settings and is a delightful read.

Meanwhile, on the crochet front, after you've made two legs, crochet across both and, wham!, you're working on the body. OK?  Stay with me here. The remainder is made in one piece by increasing for arms, decreasing back, doing the head and so on.


To finish, you fold the little creature in half, sew or crochet around, leaving an open space for stuffing. Turn the bear inside-out, stuff, and close. Add a tightly tied bow to define the head and embroider the face. Finish in about two hours.

 Since I want these to be machine washable, I am stuffing them with yarn. My neighbor brought a couple bags of very old, questionable yarn in a variety of types and colors. Her sister in Chicago gave the yarn to her after collecting it from garage sales. So, you get the idea. I'm glad to be able to use it as stuffing in making these little bears for the children. The free pattern is "Becky's Bear" at http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/beckysbear.html

It's Wednesday! What are you reading? What are you knitting?

Join in at Yarn Along and let us all know!

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