Sharon's Eclectic Retreat:

I'm Feeling Chatty Today :)

2012-02-01T14:38:00.000-05:00

Today, I'm writing a more "chatty post" that I haven't had the chance to do lately. A little over a week ago, I came home from visiting friends in California. One friend sent me a ticket to help celebrate her birthday. This year was sort of a special birthday for her. She turned 56 and was born in 56--both days were Friday the 13ths. I didn't get anything crocheted during my entire trip with the exception of finishing a sweater for my friends delightful furbaby. Unfortunately, the sweater was a bit big but my friend told me that was ok because it's warmer that way. The pattern I used for the sweater also came with a pattern for a dog hat:

I added the pom-pom. A teddy-bear now wears the hat. :)

Here's a look at my "furfriend" wearing her sweater:

After 1 week visiting in northern California, I hopped on an AMTRAK train and then a bus to head down south to visit another friend east of Los Angeles. We did the shopping thing and I was happy to find a few good bargains to take home. I found a Vera Wang shower curtain for only $4.99

and a matching heavy-duty rug for $5 at one of the stores that is actually a "true" outlet-type store. This friend's little granddaughter tagged along and she liked to "hide" from us:

I recently finished a cute dishcloth:

The pattern for this is a freebie at Lily Sugar 'n Cream.

We're having some crazy weather here in the vicinity of Ft. Knox, Kentucky. A very small dusting of snow twice this winter and both times it went away quickly. Now, with warmer temperatures in the 60s some days, some plants think it's spring and have started to grow and get buds. I'm hoping the weather stays warmish for them the rest of winter. Funny thing about the weather here, it's the same as the weather was when I visited California.

I know I had bunches to share with with you but now that's I'm sitting here typing, I can't think of anything else to say. I know it will come back to me later and I'll just include it in another post--this post is long-winded enough anyway!

Take care everyone...

Heart Pillows

2012-01-29T19:51:00.001-05:00

A friend asked me if I knew of a pattern for a heart-shaped pillow. I don't think I found the pattern she was interested in but I did find a few patterns that are very nice. A couple are for patterns that are for sale and the rest are freebies. I decided to post the listing here in case any of you are interested in them too. Here they are--

Pay:

http://www.leisurearts.com/crochet/romantic-heart-pillow-thread-crochet-pattern.html

http://www.shifio.co.uk/patterns/heart98.htm

Free:

http://www.craftbits.com/project/heart-pillow

http://www.freepatterns.com/detail.html?code=FC01167&cat_id=324

http://www.crochetme.com/media/p/88625.aspx

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L0167AD.html

http://www.momsloveofcrochet.com/HeartPillow.html

http://www.yarnandstitcheryalcove.com/files/2027244/uploaded/Bernat_BabyBubbles002_cr_pillow.en_US.pdf

Monday's Link to a Free Crochet Pattern (30 January 2012)

2012-01-29T19:29:00.001-05:00

This weeks's link to a free pattern is for an older pattern for a pretty dress for a toddler. I love to see little girls in dresses like this with patent leather Mary Janes. Hope you enjoy...

All Free Crochet Afghan Patterns is Having a Give-Away

2012-01-29T19:06:00.001-05:00

You Have a Chance to Win This!!!

Go to All Free Crochet Afghan Patterns for your chance to win a copy of Crochet Gift List from Crochet Today!

Remember, you can never have too many crochet patterns. Hope everyone has a great week.

Mondays Link for Free Pattern (23 January 2012)

2012-01-23T00:42:00.000-05:00

With Valentine's Day coming up, here's a pattern to crochet a heart pillow for your special someone. For your info, pattern is in British terms so you'll need to make some adjustments. Hugs....

Mondays Link for Free Pattern (16 January 2012)

2012-01-16T00:39:00.002-05:00

Cute pattern for slippers made out of hexagons. Enjoy!

I'm Taking Off Again...

2012-01-10T00:22:00.000-05:00

A good friend has sent me a ticket to go visit her in California. I'll be leaving a little later today. I've been planning my crochet projects to go--dishcloths and slippers (a different pattern than my usual.)

I really don't care for living where we do so any chance I get for a get-away I'm game for. I'm pretty weird, because I'm agoraphobic (honestly, I've been diagnosed) but I can handle, and eagerly look forward to seeing old friends (old as in long-time not age.) The friend I am going to see has been my friend since high school!

I have a doggie sweater finished for my friend's furbaby--hope it fits! I'll get a picture when I visit them and post it when I get back. Postings will be pretty slim for the next 2 weeks so I'll try to remember to take lots of pictures to post. I'm pretty bad about taking pictures when I go visiting. When I was at my uncle's I managed to take pictures of all the projects he had done around his house and you got it, I forgot to get one of him!

I'm just rambling on here so I'll sign off. Hugs....

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (09 January 2012)

2012-01-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

Here is a cute pattern for a baby girl. I love the old fashioned style. Hugs....

2012-01-08T14:30:00.001-05:00

Testing. I can txt from my phone to my blog so I am checking it out before I visit my friend in California on Tuesday. Hugs to all!

I'm Boycotting Walgreens

2012-01-05T19:21:00.000-05:00

I'm boycotting Walgreens because they no longer accept the military's health insurance (Tricare). I will miss them because I always enjoyed couponing at our local store after perusing the Sunday ads in our local newspaper. I'm encouraging participation in this boycott. With support of our military a high priority among many American's this is something we can do to benefit them. This boycott will hurt Walgreens where it counts--their bank account!

WIP Wednesday (03 Jan 2012)

2012-01-04T13:40:00.001-05:00

Working on a sweater for my good friends' furbaby Oodie. I did some changes to my use of the yarn colors. A few ends to weave in, buttons to sew on and a pocket to attach then it will be done. I hope to finish it tonight unless something comes up.

Here's a list of what I completed in 2011:

Completed

1. Scarf (7)

2. Baby cocoon w/ hat

3. Earwarmer

4. Baby booties (3 pr)

5. Granny ripple afghan (1)

6. Dog shrug

7. Adult Slippers (13 pr)

8. Afghan out of squares (4)

9. Doily out of ww (3)

10. Hooded Scarf

11. Hat 2

12. Baby Blanket

13. Dishcloth (20)

14. Hat--little girl

15. Left-over granny ghan

16. Wave afghan (3)

Every year I think I have finished more that what I did. But as I look at the list, that's really quite a few projects although some are small like the dishcloths. I'm documenting this here so that I can go back and compare what I do year to year.

Did any of you save your yarn "snippings" from last year. I know that many of you said you were and I was wondering if anyone did and what your plans are for them. I have a small gift bag full.

If you click on the button below, you can see what some other people have been working on.

Take care!

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern ( 02 January 2012)

2012-01-02T00:22:00.000-05:00

Click here to see today's link for a free pattern. Enjoy!

New Year and New Beginnings...

2012-01-01T23:33:00.000-05:00

In my last post, I alluded to some things that I probably shouldn't have. My extended family has some "issues" that at times are overwhelming to me and I just about blurted some of them out in my last post and I'm sorry about that.

I had to put this picture here of Nellie Belle and dh. Nellie B. hates to have clothes on but I kind of made her wear her Santa suit on Christmas Eve.

I would like to post the project that I'm working on but since it is a gift to one of my blog readers I can't. That's you LJS lol! After I give it to her, then I'll post a picture. Anyway it's a sweater for her sweet little furbaby, Oodie and I hope to get a picture of Oodie wearing it.

That's about it. Think I'll make some more cookies.

Hugs to all and prayers that this year will be a better one for all of us.

Happy New Year Everyone!

2011-12-31T23:44:00.001-05:00

Happy New Years!!!

You know you're getting old when the bottle of champagne bought to celebrate New Years a year ago is still in the fridge.

Anyone make resolutions for 2012? I shouldn't because I didn't stick with last years. My big resolution then was to organize my craft room aka the yarn warehouse. That didn't get done but dh promised me the other day that if I emptied the room, he would build some shelves for storage. I'm going to take him up on that.

Anyway, I am making one resolution and that is to take in stride ignorance from others. I will pray for them that they will remember the Golden Rule and think before they speak. I had some tremendous lies told about me and a relationship with a sibling has suffered tremendously because of this. Eventually the truth will come out because the truth always prevails. I have to be very strong to forget what has been said and to offer forgiveness.

Anyway, on a happier note, here's Mariah Carey singing Auld Lang Syne just for you!

(Every now and then my blog may have music playing and you can mute it by scrolling down the column on your right and muting the music player.)

Insomnia and the Munchies

2011-12-31T10:26:00.003-05:00

Couldn't sleep and had the urge for some cookies. The only cookies remaining in our house were some rum balls and I'm not too fond of them. Sooo, ~~in the wee dark hours this morning,~~ I made pizzelle cookies! Pizzelles are one of my favorite holiday treats. I didn't make them before Christmas so it was the perfect time to make them. I found my pizzelle iron about 19 years ago at a thrift store for about $5 or $6 and that was a good deal because they're pricey.

Here's the recipe if anyone is interested:

Pizzelles
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon anise seed
3 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup melted margarine or butter
2 teaspoons vanilla

In a small mixing bowl stir together the flour, baking powder and anise

In a large bowl beat the eggs with electric mixer on high for 4 minutes or until thick and lemon colored. With the mixer on medium, gradually beat in the sugar. Then beat in the melted margarine or butter and vanilla. Add the flour mixture. Beat on low speed until combined.

Heat an electric pizzelle iron according to the manufacturers directions. (Or, heat a nonelectric pizzelle iron on the range-top over medium heat till a drop of water sizzles on the grid. Reduce heat to medium-low.)

Place a slightly rounded tablespoon of batter slightly off center toward back of grid. Close lid. Bake according to manufacturer's directions. (For a nonelectric iron, bake for 30 to 60 seconds or till golden, turning once.) Turn wafer out onto a paper towel to cool. Repeat with remaining batter. Makes about 18.

YUM!

Note:
Recipe is a modified version of one found in Better Homes and Gardens Cookies Cookies Cookies

This Week's "Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern" Very Late

2011-12-31T07:12:00.002-05:00

I'm sorry that I spaced out posting a link for an interesting pattern on Monday. Guess it's better late than never but I do need to be more reliable about it especially since I call it "Monday's Link."

Here's a pattern for a different sort of afghan--it looks like a crazy quilt. Another thing to go on my 20 mile long want-to-do list! Enjoy and y'all have a wonderful new year.

2011 Crochet Projects

2011-12-27T01:55:00.000-05:00

Here's a quick look at the crochet projects I completed this year. At the end of every year, I always think that I did more than I actually did. Maybe next year I'll do more. Thanks for looking!

Every now and then my blog may have music playing. If you go to the column on your right and scroll down to the music player you can mute it.

Christmas Greetings

2011-12-25T23:23:00.000-05:00

Sending Christmas greetings to all my family and friends out there. To my dear brother, just remember that things are not always as they appear to be. Love you all...

Christmas Presents of Childhood

2011-12-22T23:33:00.001-05:00

Once again I was taking a gander at some videos on youtube. This time I was looking for commercials that grabbed my attention as a little girl. I liked creepy crawlers but that was a present my little brother got. He did make me some glow in the dark "bugs" that I played with in bed after we had lights off. What fun, innocent days those were! Amazingly, there is an updated version available.

Here's the commercial that some of you may remember:

If my blog is playing music, you may scroll down the column on your right to the music player and mute it.

I'm Pretty Happy With My Christmas Present

2011-12-22T12:13:00.000-05:00

Santa decided to let me in on my Christmas present early. DH and I decided to get a joint present this year for our home. We had gotten rid of our old dining room set because it took up too much room (it was a large booth-type). DH had found a set in a Sears sales paper. I told him I wasn't too thrilled with the ~~cheap-looking thing~~ it so he told me to see what I could find. For just a few dollars more, I found a nice set with 6 chairs reduced by almost $900 at Penneys! We won't get it until the day after Christmas and that's ok. Here's a picture of it that I snagged from their site:

Sorry for the poor quality of the picture. When I "snagged" it, I could only get the smaller view so when I put it here, it looks kind of bad. :)

See Beautiful Dining Room Sets

Corn, Clean as a Whistle

2011-12-21T14:47:00.002-05:00

A friend sent this to me some time ago and I kept meaning to post it here but, I forgot about it. When I was going through some of the saved emails I had been keeping for some reason or the other I found it. For those of you who like to can or freeze corn, removing the silks can be a difficult chore. The gentleman in this video shows you an easy to do method of accomplishing it. Y'all have a wonderful holiday season!

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Peace on Earth

2011-12-20T15:02:00.000-05:00

I was cruising around Youtube looking for a nice Christmas cartoon to post for me you. I saw this one and even though it isn't the usual Christmas cartoon from the 1930s, it does carry a powerful message for today. Here it is:

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Have a wonderful day everyone and stay WARM!

Quick Look at an Old TV Show

2011-12-20T00:26:00.003-05:00

The other day, my uncle was asking me about what we did with the gold fish in our pond during the winter. The truth is, when it gets cold, they go into hibernation and we stop feeding them until the spring. As we were talking about this, I recalled an old television show. I asked my uncle if he remembered this show about a guy who had been buried in the snow, found and when "defrosted" he was still alive. Neither my uncle nor I could remember the name of the show so I did some googling and found out the name of it was The Second Hundred Years; it was a short-lived series in 1967. Here's a look at the opening of the show. Enjoy!

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Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern ( 19 December 2011)

2011-12-19T22:31:00.000-05:00

I'm a bit late getting this week's free crochet pattern posted but it's better late than never I guess. Here's a cute hooded scarf for the cold weather. Hope you enjoy...

Helpful Video for Bernat Dog Sweater Pattern

2011-12-16T22:49:00.002-05:00

I had tried this pattern a couple years ago and I just couldn't get it to work. Mikey has made a video that clarifies some of the problems I was having with it. So, I'm posting it here in case I decide to give it a try again. You may want to check out Mikey's youtube videos for some other great ideas.

I ended up frogging the sweater I tried to make out of this pattern (I was only using 2 colors), bought a coordinating yarn and ended up making a round ripple afghan. Oh yeah, if there is music playing on this blog, you may scroll down the column on your right to mute the music player so it won't compete with the video's audio.

Have a great weekend...