Creative Ramblings

My granny squares are multiplying! I got a good bit of crocheting and knitting done over the weekend. First up, my leap year blanket. I've decided instead of devoting all 366 granny squares to one blanket, I'm going to make two or three blankets. One for me to keep and the other(s) to give away. I was kind of worried about exactly how big a 366 square blanket would actually be. Big. Really, really big is what I was thinking. Anyway, here's a look at my granny square progress...

I also knit up this quick little scarf for my mom.

The pattern is called Bow_Knit Scarf, by Katerine Burgess. You can find it here. It's really cute and comfortable. My mom loves it!

Ane Brun

2012-01-25T19:20:00.000-06:00

Today...

2012-01-25T16:42:00.000-06:00

I made Dr. Oz's Tangerine Weight-Orade and enjoyed a glassful with my lunch.

Here's how to make it:

Dr. Oz's Tangerine Weight-Orade Recipe

For a powerful metabolism-boosting drink, try Dr. Oz’s Tangerine Weight-Orade. It contains: green tea, shown to boost metabolism 12% by drinking just one cup; tangerine, with a chemical composition that increases sensitivity to insulin and stimulates genes that help to burn fat; and mint, a calorie-free flavor enhancer.

In a large pitcher, combine:

8 cups of brewed green tea

1 tangerine, sliced

A handful of mint leaves

Stir this delicious concoction up at night so all the flavors fuse together. Drink 1 pitcher daily for maximum metabolism-boosting results.

via New Nostalgia

The Boy Beanie and a Thrift Store Score

2012-01-24T17:27:00.000-06:00

My boy called me last week asking if i would crochet him and a friend a beanie hat. I happily said yes. I think I've made at least fifty of these hats for Chris and his friends, since I first came across the pattern in the book, Stitch 'n Bitch Crochet: the Happy Hooker, by Debbie Stoller. In fact they're still wearing those first hats that I made them. The guys really seam to go for this hat. The pattern is called "Boy Beanie" by Laura Killoran. You can view the details on my ravelry page, here.

Yesterday I spent some time browsing a local thrift store and found two bags of yarn for seven dollars! And all of it good wool too! I love finding a good bargain...makes me happy. :)

get your granny on

2012-01-20T15:46:00.000-06:00

Source: tangledhappy.com via Debra on Pinterest

Granny Square Apron

You can find the tutorial here.

Source: lionbrand.com via Debra on Pinterest

Granny Square Scarf

Pattern is from Lion Brand Yarn

Source: ravelry.com via Debra on Pinterest

Granny Bunting

Pattern is from Lilley Stitches.

Source: ravelry.com via Debra on Pinterest

Granny Shrug

You can find the pattern here.

Source: attic24.typepad.com via Debra on Pinterest

Birdie Decoration

from Attic 24.

Source: anthropologie.com via Debra on Pinterest

Granny Square Tree Skirt

from Anthropologie.

I think this would be easy to make.

Source: etsy.com via Debra on Pinterest

Granny Square Bag

from etsy.

Again, I think this would be easy to make.

Source: flickr.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: myfireflycottage.blogspot.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: craftyminx.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: imgfave.com via Debra on Pinterest

Leap Year Blanket

2012-01-19T23:03:00.000-06:00

I love granny squares and I love blankets made from them. And I would love a granny square blanket of my very own. So, I have joined this facebook group for a crochet along/knit along to make a leap year blanket. Crochet or knit a square a day for the year and end up with a blanket at the end of it. Sounds great! I found the link in this post from Lilley Stitches. I hesitated to post this because I suck at these things. All of which is documented on this very blog. Let's see, there were two crochet alongs for afghans...never finished them. There was the 100 photos project. I made it to fifty something. So, yeah...I never seem to make it to the finish line. However, I'm determined not to let it happen on this project. I'm gonna make it through to the end on this one. :) If you'd like to join in, you can find the group here.

A Farm for the Future

2012-01-17T22:56:00.000-06:00

I watched this via Enhabiten. I found it to be very enlightening and wanted to share it with you. So, please watch it and share it too. Our current model of agricultural production is unsustainable and irresponsible.

Pillows

2012-01-17T22:11:00.000-06:00

I'm working on a long overdue project. Pillows and pillow covers for my couch. They're still a work in progress. I have six big pillows done with the exception of adding some buttons and buttonholes and I still want to make some smaller pillows to mix in. Here's a peek at what I've got so far...

Mazzy Star

2012-01-13T22:12:00.000-06:00

Warm and Cozy

2012-01-13T11:20:00.000-06:00

Source: modernhepburn.tumblr.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: winterlungs.tumblr.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: willowfrank.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: nattybydesign.blogspot.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: theberry.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: toast.co.uk via Debra on Pinterest

Wishing you a weekend filled with warmth and coziness.

♥ Deb

Out of Nowhere

2012-01-10T21:42:00.000-06:00

I just poured my second cup of coffee this morning and was walking back to my bedroom, stopping by the back door for a peek out at the morning. That's when I spotted one of the neighborhood cats sitting under the big elm tree where my bird feeders are, stalking the birds. I opened the door to shoo him away, and that's when I noticed another cat not far from him. One that I've not seen before. I stepped out onto the back deck to get a better look at him. He was a cute little black and white tuxedo kitten, probably seven to nine months old. The next thing I know, he's at my feet purring and meowing, rubbing himself up against my legs, trying to pry open the door with his little paws to get inside. I quickly shut the door, but that didn't deter him. He turned and looked up at me, and practically jumped right into my arms. He looked lost and desperate. Right then and there, I knew I was in trouble. I don't need anymore animals. Really, I don't. I have dogs. I have birds. I already have two cats. I lost cat number three, my sweet Skyler, just a couple of months ago. It broke my heart. In fact after Skyler passed, I swore to myself, no more cats. Ha! Who was I kidding? Meet the newest member of our family, Bandito...the cat. He is the sweetest, most loving little fellow, who appeared out of nowhere, and just like that, stole my heart. And even though he's been with us for only one day, he acts as if he's been a part of this household forever. And strangely, it feels that way to me too. He's right where he belongs. He's home

Sunday Morning Walk

2012-01-08T20:23:00.000-06:00

Sunday morning. Just me, my camera and a bag of carrots (the last from my garden) and some cut up apples. I'm anticipating the horses. I see them, but they don't see me. I find the spot in the fence line where the barbed wire sags, and climb over. I walk towards them. The gray mare spots me and she is running to me. The others follow. I'm back over the fence. I have three horses at the fence with their heads stretched towards me, they smell the apples and carrots I've brought. I feed them the sweet treats that they eagerly take from me. I pick up my camera to photograph these beautiful animals, all the while talking to and petting them. And the horses? They seem to enjoy my attention, especially a good scratch on the forehead and behind the ears. They even join in on the conversation with the occasional neigh. I say my goodbyes and head off to the woods for my Sunday morning walk.


More carrots please!

Winter Reflections

Waiting for Spring!

fun with flickr

2012-01-06T00:10:00.000-06:00

Make a photo mosaic using flickr and big huge labs.

a. Type your answer to each of the questions into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into big huge labs mosaic maker.

The Questions:

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Your flickr name

Here's my mosaic...

1. debbie, 2. Chinese Fried Rice Noodles/ Meehoon and Glutinous Rice Balls 炒米粉和花生汤圆, 3. Venice....Venice...., 4. Yellow Rose Macro - IMG_8472-3, 5. Paul Newman muere a los 83 años, 6. Margarita, 7. Ireland Saint Patrick's Day, 8. raspberry trifle, 9. woman photographer_1, 10. My Family, 11. nurturer, 12. cat whiskers

If you make your own mosaic, leave me a link, I would love to see yours!

Maurice Utrillo

2012-01-03T10:39:00.000-06:00

the artist

Source: images.google.com via Debra on Pinterest

the art

Source: wikipaintings.org via Debra on Pinterest

more about Maurice Utrillo

Sweet Stitches

2012-01-02T08:54:00.000-06:00

Aren't they cute? The pattern is by Aimee Ray. You can find the pattern in her etsy shop, little dear and you can visit her blog, little dear tracks, here.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T14:23:00.000-06:00

Resolutions for 2012...

Source: weheartit.com via Debra on Pinterest

And more blogging.

Friday Funny

2011-06-24T11:04:00.000-05:00

Source: inapcache.boston.com via Debra on Pinterest

bohemian style

2011-06-21T23:53:00.000-05:00

Source: owlssayhooot.tumblr.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: bewitching.tumblr.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: gypsy-village.blogspot.com via Lindsay on Pinterest

Source: magnoliapearl.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: rebelwings.tumblr.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: bohemianshoebox.tumblr.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: interioralchemy.tumblr.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: deargolden.blogspot.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: myloveforyou.typepad.com via Debra on Pinterest

Yesterday...

2011-06-20T09:10:00.000-05:00

she surprised her papa with a visit on Father's Day. Can you tell they're crazy about each other? Of course, I didn't have the settings on my camera adjusted properly when this moment unfolded, and they turned out very dark. So, I lightened them up and they were very noisy. No...artistic. Yes! They're artistic. I mean really, how could I scrap these? The images may not be clear, but the love definitely is.

Crocheting a Rag Rug

2011-06-02T12:16:00.002-05:00

For the past week, off and on, I have been working on this rug.

When it's done, it will be residing in Bailey's room under her little table and chairs set. I'm using old thrifted sheets and cotton fabric from my stash along with a big and bulky size Q crochet hook.

Before I started I did a google search on "crochet rag rug how to" and found this video from Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood of Craft Sanity. I loved her method of tearing the fabric in one continuous strip. Brilliant! That was the one thing that I wasn't looking forward to...cutting and sewing all those strips, but with the method she shows, it's fast and it's fun. Rrrrrrip! I didn't bother trimming or pressing the seams on the strips. I don't think it looks bad with a few noticeable seams poking out. It is a rag rug after all, and I think it adds to the charm of the piece.

I've already had it down on the floor and under my feet. It is incredibly soft and cushiony... which is exactly what I want. Hopefully (crossing fingers) I will be ripping up the eleven year old, worn green carpeting that's throughout my house at some point this year, and putting down some wood flooring. Oh...i hope, i hope, i hope! And these rag rugs will be just the thing to add some comfort and warmth underfoot.

Ben Harper

2011-05-30T23:43:00.000-05:00

Love ♥

A Favorite Thing

2011-05-27T17:52:00.000-05:00

Tiny works of art that I love...

Small enough to fit in your hand.

Printed on canvas and mounted on wood frames.

The prints are of paintings made with oil pastels and are from Tush Tush.

Friday Funny

2011-05-27T08:52:00.001-05:00

Source: designswan.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: DesignSwan