By His Strength!

Fun at Nama's :)

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:28:00 +0000

Fun day with the 3 oldest grandkids!

I got out the old face paints and glitter paint and they had the best time ever!!!

Haylea painted up Jonathan (the WAY too wiggly and grabby brother):

Then Haylea and Sarah had fun painting my hands, my nails, and my arms up to my elbows! :D I didn't get a picture because my phone was in my pocket and I was covered in paint & didn't want to get it all over my clothes or phone. :)

I got out some paper for them to paint on and it kept them busy for hours!! Here are some of their masterpieces:

Uncle Chris made the girls some princess crowns to decorate
Here is Haylea Painting hers:

Sarah modeling the one she painted while being silly:

Jonathan was watching the birds in the back yard then knew I had my phone & wanted to see himself! Ha Ha Ha

I hope we get to do this again soon! We all had a lot of fun!!!

The Monkey!!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 00:14:00 +0000

I just realized that I never put my Grandson's Monkey and blanket that I made him for Christmas on here!! So Here it is:

Whenever he happens to bring it over I'll have to get a picture of Jonny with it!!

The monkey is knitted and the blanket is crocheted with a size N hook and 2 strands of yarn.

I used this Pattern <-- Click here

Drawstring Bag: Picture Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:11:00 +0000

To make a drawstring bag you will need the following materials:

* Material of your choice - You need twice the width & twice the length + seam allowance + 3inches - of the size you want your bag

(I cut the one for this tutorial 28X31 inches and it is 13.5X12 inches finished)

* Rotary cutter and mat or scissors
* Ruler or tape measure
* 2 safety pins
* tool to turn drawstrings right-side out (can use a chopstick if you don't have the tool with a hook)
* Thread and bobbin of your color choice
* sewing machine :)
* scissors to snip threads

1st step is lay your fabric out and fold it right sides together width-wise.

I also cut 2 strips 1.5 inches wide each. For the drawstrings. Using a rotary cutter and a ruler makes is straight and easy. You don't want to see my scissor cut for a long strip! LOL :D (it is now a 28X28 inch square, with 2 1.5X28 inch strips)

Next I sew this side seam up with the overedge stitch on my machine.

Now you have a "tube". Keep the seam lined up and put wrong sides together. Top meets bottom, making it a double thickness tube with right sides showing inside and outside.

This picture is attempting to show the "tube" being sewn at the edges that will make the bottom of the bag. Again I used the overedge stitch.

Now fold the overedge stitched edge again and sew a straight line, then sew a zig zag line. This will re-inforce the bottom of the bag :D

Ok, now it should look like a bag with only 1 opening! :D

Next is creating an easy casing to hold the drawstrings at the top. I made buttonholes, you could also use grommets if you prefer. Mark your place with white chalk. I made 4 total. My casing is 1.5 inches wide, I want my buttonholes to be in the center of the casing, so I measure accordingly and place each buttonhole about 1.5 inch from each side. you will see 2 in front and flip it over and see 2 in back. They should line up, but they don't have to be perfect, don't worry it will still work, we just need a hole to get the string into the casing and out of it. :D

Yes, it looks low, but we will be folding down the top over the buttonhole to make the casing. :D This shows the marking for one buttonhole, next make a buttonhole on each marking, making sure you don't do it through all 4 thicknesses!! Only make the buttonhole through 2 thicknesses (think tube, well with the bottom closed! LOL)

Take a seem ripper and open up the buttonholes :D

OOps, my buttonhole was longer than my marking. :D

Next fold down the top 1.5 inches for the casing! Make sure the bottom seam raw edge is toward the outside, and you fold the top towards the outside so when the casing is sewn and we turn it rightside out it will be neat on the outside with only 4 buttonholes showing at the top. :D

Ok, now onto the drawstrings! almost done! Woo Hoo!!!!

Take a strip and fold it right-sides together, making a long strip. I used a straight stitch, then went back over with a zig zag stitch.

Do this to both strips.

Now turn them right-side out. I use this cool little tool with a hook at the end. Makes it a lot faster and WAY less frustrating! :)

Make the other drawstring the same way.

Time to put them in the casing! 1 at a time.

I put a safety pin at the end to feed it through the casing.

Starting at a side, (this would be close to the seam for one side) feed the string through the long part of the casing to the button hole on the other side. (I safety pin the other end of the drawstring to the bag so it doesn't get lost in the casing.) Pull out the string on the other end and feed it through the hole that will be really close to it. then feed it through to the last hole.

Sew both ends together, overlapping about 3/4 inch. I just zig zag stitched up & down left, right, middle to secure it. :)

Pull the string tight. rotate it so the "ugly" join is in the middle. :)

Now make the 2nd drawstring the same way & finish it the same way.

Each side should look like this:

When you want to close the bag, pull on opposite strings and it will cinch closed! Like this:

I put a knitting project in this one to demonstrate. I am using cable needles and pull the knitting to the middle of the cable, then let the needles hang out so my knitting won't fall off the needles in the bag. :D

For the lining, you could use a different fabric, it doesn't have to be the same as the outside. you can also use different fabric, or even rope for the drawstring. Use your imagination! have fun with it!! :D

I made this in a larger (much larger) version for a washable dirty clothes bag for traveling! Woo Hoo!!

I also made a small one to carry my phone in because my skirts don't have pockets. Very convenient!! I didn't do drawstring, but made 1 long strap to tie around my waist. I can tuck the ties into my skirt and either tuck the pouch and phone in my skirt to hide it, or leave them showing. :D

Happy sewing!!!

Happy Mothers Day!!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Sun, 08 May 2011 17:25:00 +0000

I wish you all a Happy & BLESSED Mothers Day!!

Hope you enjoy it to the fullest! :D

Kitchen Floor Clean!! Woot Woot!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Tue, 03 May 2011 19:28:00 +0000

Probably not an exciting post to some, but my kitchen floor was BAD BAD BAD!!! It is over 14 years old and WHITE vinyl!! What were they thinking? White in a kitchen?!?!?! Anyway, it had gotten pretty bad with ground in dirt and scuffs & overall YUCK!! I decided to look online to see if there was any hope for it. I saw several people suggesting straight ammonia. So I tried it out on a test spot and IT WORKED!!! Woo hoo!!! So I bought a few bottles and got to work on it today! With not much effort (except the wringing of the mop for rinsing made my hands all red and calloused), I have a very nice clean and white again kitchen floor!! Only the worst most worn down parts didn't get really really clean, but I ran out of ammonia, so I will do that part again after I get more. :D Here's the BEFORE Pics of the embarrassing BAD BAD BAD dirty floor:

Here's how I cleaned it:
I poured straight ammonia into a large puddle over a section, and let it set for 30 minutes. OPEN SOME WINDOWS!!! It is VERY STRONG!!!!!

After the 30 minutes, I scrubbed over the wet area with my big magic eraser mop.

Then I rinsed with a clean regular mop and hot clean water. I kept rinsing it up until it was all clean and no more suds formed.

Then I moved to the next section and started over. Here is the result:

The yellow-y marks are from the island's wheels.

What a difference, huh?!?!?!

Oh, and here's my ouchy hands! LOL

Get inspired daily!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 03:35:00 +0000

My hubby's blog has a Daily Inspirational quote or Bible Verse.

Click to check it out --> http://positiveaffirmationprayers.blogspot.com/

God bless you!

PositivePrayers.com: Weight Loss Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 06:44:00 +0000

PositivePrayers.com: Weight Loss Tips: "Weight Loss Tips we wrote for anyone trying to lose weight (we lost 50+ pounds each). http://www.positiveprayers.com/weight-loss-tips.html"

Merry Christmas!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 14:53:00 +0000

Merry Christmas to you all!!

May your day be filled with blessings from the Lord!

Let us remember the real meaning of this Holiday:

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!! Thank you for the GREATEST gift EVER!!!!!

SwagBucks!!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 18:00:00 +0000

I just started a couple days ago. I've earned these swagbucks by using their search instead of google. I joined under my daughter to help her out. She gets all the same swagbucks I get, how cool is that??

Monkeys & FROGS?!?!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:59:00 +0000

Yep, I'm FROGGING my Grandson's (6 months old) Christmas present 5 days before Christmas, to start over!!!    After crocheting about a foot or so along started only 2 days ago), I discovered the width grew in size to larger than an adult sized blanket!! I know he is a BIG boy, but, he doesn't need a blanket THAT big yet! LOL    Good thing it's double stranded AND in double crochet, I *should* be able to finish it, get it washed, dryed & wrapped in time for Christmas! :D

The good news is that I finished his knitted Monkey!!! It turned out WAY bigger than I thought it would, but that's ok, he will probably LOVE having a friend as big as him! LOL LOL LOL I'm only slightly exaggerating! I'll post pics of him next to it when he opens it for Christmas! :D

I have a theme in knit and crochet, it's BIG! LOL   I tend to make things HUGE, especially blankets. Better too big, than too small is what I think! :D

So, I better get back to my crocheting. I decided to cut the yarns from the skeins and crochet from the "old" blanket as I go along instead of trying to wind it all up, then crochet, it should save me lots of time & tangles! Woot!!

Ministry Overhaul!! :)

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 14:40:00 +0000

Our Ministry: http://www.PositivePrayers.com is in the process of a HUGE Overhaul!! Some of the links are not back up yet, please be patient! They will be working ASAP

Thank you for your patience!
God Bless you,
Shannon

Weight loss Before and After Pictures!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 01:39:00 +0000

47.6 pounds gone for me!!!
49.8 pounds gone for my hubby!!!!

Before:

After:

What a journey so far!!! We are not at the finish line yet, but we can see it from here!!! Praise Jesus!!!

Read here about how we have come this far!!!

My Weight Loss "Secrets" for SUCCESS :)

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 23:52:00 +0000

As of today, June 6, 2010, I have lost 41 pounds! Praise Jesus!!!! I have 8 to go to get to my original goal, but I'm thinking I'll want to lose 10 more after that.

Here's my story:

I have been overweight with the exception of a few years for all my adult life. When I was a teenager I was a very skinny 105 pound feather! LOL Then I had 2 children and had extra weight. Then I joined the YMCA and did High Impact Aerobics and Nautilus Weight Training, and lost the weight. Then it came back after a couple years, and I was FAT ever since!!   I have always been a junk food junkie & it's no surprise that I was so FAT!!!

In 2004, after I had ballooned up to 170 & felt MISERABLE!!!   My husband, Jerry, & I went on a crash/fad diet (a modified version of Atkins) and both lost a lot of weight, I lost 36 pounds & he lost over 30 pounds (can't remember lol). Since it was a fad & not very healthy, we only stayed on it for about 2 months & of course the weight came back over the last few years. We did join Weight Watchers online a couple years ago and lost 10# in a couple months. Then our "good deal" on the membership was up & we stopped. lol So, yep, the weight came back, I crept back up to 169 pounds. YUCK!! :(

So, sometime in December I was thinking I'm so tired of being this FAT, I want to do Weight Watchers again. I was trying to talk my hubby into it since I knew it worked & I really liked keeping track of what I was consuming.   Well, in the meantime, he was looking online for something similar & found a few programs for keeping track of Calories & he stumbled upon http://www.MyFitnessPal.com and it was FREE!!! Woot!!! :)

MFP is a FREE online Calorie Tracking Program! It is PHENOMENAL!!   When you join, you input your weight, age, height, gender, your normal daily activity level, etc. and it calculates how many calories you should eat to lose weight. You can pick from: Lose 1/2 pound per week, 1 pound, 1 & 1/2 pounds, or 2 pounds per week. (As well as gain for those that need to gain, and maintain when you reach your goal.)    You get extra calories that you can eat when you exercise & put that in.

I started seriously on January 1, 2010. I have lost something every single week since starting. I have a few "secrets" on how this has worked for me, and my husband, who has lost something every single week since January 1st as well.

The "Secrets" to my Successful Weight Loss so far:

I set my activity level to "Sedentary". ... Well, I sit behind the computer a lot. :)

I input everything, even if it's a 5 calorie drink, or breath mint. :) Sounds silly, but little things can creep up on you & put you over..

I measure my foods! :) I have a digital scale that I weigh most things on and what I can't weigh, I measure. :) And I don't think it's a pain, I know exactly how much I'm getting, no guessing! (Obviously I don't take a scale and measuring cups & spoons into a restaurant! LOL so we eat out WAY less than we used to.) Here's the Scale I have: Scale <-- Click for link to Amazon :)

I ABSOLUTELY don't go over my calories, I choose to go UNDER every day. When they are gone, they are gone! Too bad for me, I'll do better on "budgeting" calories tomorrow. :) Right now I am at 1200 calories per day + exercise calories. Ok, so I have gone over my calories a few times, but I "borrowed" from the next day, or worked out extra, and it all works out. It is just an exception, not a rule, I'm not perfect! :)

I work out 1st thing in the morning Monday - Friday, then have a Green Smoothie <-- Click for recipe

I do not eat before 12 Noon, and do not eat after 9PM (only the Green Smoothie before noon and only on workout days) (Sometimes I make exceptions, such as a hotel offers a Breakfast Buffet and it ends at 9am, HELLO! Yes, I'm eating before noon that day! LOL, or my hubby wants to treat me out to breakfast, YEP, I'm going!! ... obviously these are exceptions and not a consistent habit.)

I don't input any housework calories I burn, or any extra activities, only my Exercise Routine M-F.

I don't think it has been hard at all, but I have been called a BULLDOG before! LOL I can be stubborn when I make up my mind on something. he he he I just made up my mind to stick to it and get rid of the FAT and get in GREAT shape!! I have slowly changed my eating habits to be more and more healthy & less & less junk foods. I never thought I would do that, but it just happened. It's pretty simple when you only have 1200 calories and the things you like are 200-400 calories each!! You figure out you better not like them so much! :) I still eat junkie snacks, but just not as often or as many. I really like fruit and it is WAY lower in calories than chips & dip and crackers & cookies & sugary soda. I make tea and sweeten it with Stevia and Splenda (trying to switch to only Stevia, but 1/2 & 1/2 for now). I drink diet soda instead of sugary filled, and not so much. :) I found some GREAT tasting alternatives. Such as my current favorite: Apples with Cinnamon Only 110 Calories for a Large apple!! Woo Hoo!! And it fills me up. Not like 110 calories worth of chips (about 7 or 8 chips), where it makes you want chocolate and a soda! LOL

Oh, my username on MyFitnessPal is Shannon4J if anyone wants to "friend" me if you join! I highly encourage anyone that needs to lose weight to do it!! There is a lot of support and encouragement there.

My inspiration & motivation Verse is: I can do ALL things through Christ which Strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

And a GREAT quote I heard years ago: "Never give up what you want MOST for what you want NOW!"

My Granddaughter Haylea on blow up slide

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Mon, 17 May 2010 02:34:00 +0000

My Exercise Routine!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 20:03:00 +0000

Here is my current Workout Routine:

Monday - Wednesday - Friday:

Stretching

*Abs - 12 Reps of each:

1) In-Betweens

2) Bicycles

3) Toe Touches

4) Side Reaches

5) Full Sit-ups

6) Knee Bends

7) Heel Touches

8) Scissor Kicks

*Toning with 5# Dumb Bells for Arms, back & Shoulders - 10 Reps of each:

1) Bicep Curls

2) Hammer Curls (Alternating Arms)

3) Hammer Curls (Both Arms at once)

4) Overhead Extensions

5) Cross Chest Extension (laying on back)

6) Arm Rows (Lawn Mower)

7) Push Ups (girly ones on my knees) :D

8) Butterflies (laying on back)

9) Bent over Rows

10) Standing Chest Press

11) Seated Military Press

12) Front Raises (Both Arms)

13) Front Raises (Alternating Arms)

14) Side (lateral) Raises

15) Upright Rows (BowTies)

** TREADMILL:

Walking 3 minutes on 3.5mph

Running 15 minutes on 6mph (1.5 Miles of Running)

Walking 2 minutes on 3.5mph

Stretching

-----------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday - Thursday:

Stretching

*Abs - 12 Reps of each:

1) In-Betweens

2) Bicycles

3) Toe Touches

4) Side Reaches

5) Full Sit-ups

6) Knee Bends

7) Heel Touches

8) Scissor Kicks

** TREADMILL:

Walking 3 minutes on 3.5mph

Running 20 minutes on 6mph (2 Miles of Running)

Walking 2 minutes on 3.5mph

Stretching

No working out on the weekends, time for the body to rest & recuperate a bit. :D

:::Edited to add:::

My hubby and I workout together in our home, I do my toning stuff while he's on the treadmill, then I get on the treadmill while he lifts weights. We have done this since Christmas & I LOVE IT!!!!! :D

I was up to 30 minutes on the treadmill, running almost 3 miles, when my hubby suggested we try to keep it shorter. 20 minutes on weight lifting days, and 25 minutes on abs only days. This way we can stick to it without dreading a 2 hour workout (which I could easily do if I let myself, because I really like running on the treadmill THAT much!!!). No problem, we can increase speed for a tougher workout!! :D I like to push myself!! Burn that fat off baby!! LOL

Birthday!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 14:27:00 +0000

My 2nd Granddaughter, Sarah, Turned 2 Years Old on March 28th!!!

I crocheted her a blanket like the one I made Haylea for her 3rd Birthday in December. Sarah's favorite color is yellow, that's why I picked that color. :) It has a pocket that holds a duck I knitted for her.

Here's a picture:

Can't believe my little Baby Bear (my nickname for her) is 2!!!!

We also went to Chuck E. Cheese to play & get Birthday Tokens, and she got some other gifts, just didn't get pictures.

Happy 2nd Birthday Sarah!!! I Love You!!!!!

Circle Scrubbie - Video

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:56:00 +0000

A while back, I knitted up some washcloths & circle scrubbies for a friend of mine and she said she would like to learn how to make them. We live about 10 hours apart, so I came up with an idea to teach her, make a video!!! So here it is!!

Below the video's are the pattern, and links to learn other knitting techniques. :D

ENJOY!!!

Part 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw4UnVtVJts

Part 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2d-7l8IUrA

Link for Long Tail Cast on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wUPQDYtoy0

Great site for knitting techniques:
http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/learn-to-knit

You Tube Knitting helps video's:
http://www.youtube.com/user/catbordhi
http://www.youtube.com/user/iknitwithcatfur
http://www.youtube.com/user/knitpicks
http://www.youtube.com/user/knittinghelp
http://www.youtube.com/user/knittingtipsbyjudy
http://www.youtube.com/user/knitwhits#p/c/D892095422004D88
http://www.youtube.com/user/LionBrandYarn

Circle Scrubbie Pattern

Corrections to previous pattern!

Knitting Needles: Size 11
Yarn: Cotton Yarn

Gauge: Not Important

Stitches:

Make 1: Knit 1 in the front loop, leaving stitch on, then knit 1 in the back of the same loop, then take stitch off as usual.

K2Tog: Knit 2 stitches together as if they were 1.

Cast On 26 Stitches

Prep row: Knit

Row 1: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Make 1, K1

Row 2: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 3: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Make 1, K1

Row 4: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 5: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Make 1, K1

Row 6: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 7: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Make 1, K1

Row 8: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 9: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Make 1, K1

Row 10: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 11: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Make 1, K1

Row 12: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 13: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Make 1, K1

Row 14: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 15: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Make 1, K1

Row 16: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 17: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Make 1, K1

Row 18: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 19: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Make 1, K1

Row 20: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 21: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Make 1, K1

Row 22: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 23: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Make 1, K1

Row 24: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 25: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Make 1, K1

Row 26: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Bind off all stitches.

Seam together CO and BO edges. Draw a string through the slipped sts of one edge, pull tightly and secure. Repeat for the other slip stitch edge.

Happy Knitting!! :D

Ribbit Ribbit!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:00:00 +0000

I knit up a cute little frog for my granddaughter's 3rd Birthday. I couldn't just leave it at that, I got the idea to knit her up a blanket with a pocket/pouch to hold the frog!

Here it is:

I found the pattern here:

http://www.spudandchloe.com/blog/2009/07/ribbit-free-pattern/

Happy 3rd Birthday Haylea!!!

Swiffie Re-usable Pads!!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:23:00 +0000

Don't want to "get in trouble" for using the real name! LOL

I found the following patterns online & decided to try them:

Knit Pattern Link:
http://erica.brembos.googlepages.com/KPZoom.pdf

My finished Pad:

Scrub side:

Top Side:

I added extra stitches to mine because it looked too small. OOPS! LOL It will shrink some in the wash & should be fine!

Crochet Pattern Link:
http://gherkinsbucket.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/biffershrug.pdf

My Finished Pad:

I ran out of the yarn color I was using, so the flap is a different color, but it is ok, The floor doesn't mind! LOL

I like the way they both work! They have good texture for scrubbing if there's a sticky spot. I will be making more! They work up really fast. :)

Happy Anniversary!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:51:00 +0000

Today my Handsome Hubby & I are celebrating our 23rd Wedding Anniversary!!! We have been married more than half our lives! Wow! We could not have done it without the Lord Jesus Christ as our center and our foundation.

I am thankful to have Jerry as a husband. I love him more today than I did when I first loved him!! He is an amazing man & it is a blessing to be his wife. We are blessed to have 2 wonderful children & 2 wonderful grandchildren. We have had quite a journey to get where we are today & I am looking forward to continuing on that journey with him for many many years to come!

Thank you for the Beautiful Roses, Jerry!! But most of all, thank you for loving me the way you do!!!!!!!!!! You are an INCREDIBLE Man!! I love you!!!!

Sewing Project Complete!!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:15:00 +0000

I FINALLY made a shirt from the purple material I bought a couple weeks ago!!

Here it is:

(Click to see larger image)

The Pattern I used:

It's So easy

Simplicity # 4644

Slightly modified, no pockets & worn with a gold sash

Knitting Dishcloth set DONE!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:53:00 +0000

I started this project with the dishtowel in May or June. I'm FINALLY done!!! Woot! The set includes a Dishtowel, Dishcloth, and a Circle Scrubbie. I have not blocked it, but here it is:

Here is the Complete Set:

(CLick on any picture for a larger view)

Close up of the Circle Scrubbie:

Stitch Pattern Close up:

My Patterns:

Shannon’s BasketWeave Dishtowel

Size 8 Circular Needles
Cast on 74 stitches

Knit 1 row

Knit 2, (Knit 5, Purl 5), repeat until 2 stitches left, Knit 2

Repeat 4 more times (Total of 5 rows with the Knit 5, Purl 5)

Knit 1 row

Knit 2, (Purl 5, Knit 5), repeat until 2 stitches left, Knit 2

Repeat 4 more times (Total of 5 rows with Purl 5, Knit 5)

Knit 1 row

Repeat this pattern until you have 20 "boxes" tall.

Knit 1 row

Bind off

----------------------------------------

Shannon’s BasketWeave Dishcloth

Size 8 Circular Needles

Cast on 44 stitches

Knit 1 row

Knit 2, (Knit 5, Purl 5), repeat until 2 stitches left, Knit 2

Repeat 4 more times (Total of 5 rows with the Knit 5, Purl 5)

Knit 1 row

Knit 2, (Purl 5, Knit 5), repeat until 2 stitches left, Knit 2

Repeat 4 more times (Total of 5 rows with Purl 5, Knit 5)

Knit 1 row

Repeat this pattern until you have 9 "boxes" tall.

Knit 1 row

Bind off

----------------------------------------

Circle Scrubbie

Size 11 Needles

Cast On 26 Stitches

Prep row: Knit

Row 1: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Increase 1, K1

Row 2: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 3: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Increase 1, K1

Row 4: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 5: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Increase 1, K1

Row 6: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 7: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Increase 1, K1

Row 8: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 9: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Increase 1, K1

Row 10: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 11: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Increase 1, K1

Row 12: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 13: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Increase 1, K1

Row 14: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 15: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Increase 1, K1

Row 16: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 17: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Increase 1, K1

Row 18: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 19: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Increase 1, K1

Row 20: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 21: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Increase 1, K1

Row 22: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 23: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Increase 1, K1

Row 24: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Row 25: Slip 1, K2Tog, K21, Increase 1, K1

Row 26: Slip 1, Increase 1, K21, K2Tog, K1

Bind off all stitches.

Seam together CO and BO edges. Draw a string through the slipped sts of one edge, pull tightly and secure. Repeat for the other slip stitch edge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw4UnVtVJts <-- Click to watch my videos on how to knit this scrubbie!

Let me know if you have any questions!! Happy Knitting!!!

A GREAT article on Christian Education!!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:31:00 +0000

I found this GREAT article on a blog I stumbled upon.

Before I give the link, I want to say a few things. :)

First of all, this is written to CHRISTIANS, if you are not a Christian, it does not apply to you! :)

There are a lot of links to articles to read. I am a VERY SLOW reader and I read EVERY SINGLE article. It took me less than an hour. Your children and their education and future are definitely worth it!

Lest you think some of the articles and examples are far out, or only extreme cases, think again! My husband is a public high school teacher. I can tell you story after story that would say otherwise, and that's just experiences from ONE teacher at ONE school. :)

Get out your KJV Bible & look at the verses they give. Pray for an open mind and begin to go through the articles. This is SERIOUS people of God!! We cannot afford to keep ignoring what is going on and think our kids are ok!! I've seen too many casualties to think otherwise!! I am sharing this out of compassion and love for my fellow Christian families. Please, take the time to read these articles if you are Christian and have children in the Public School System, or know of somebody that is/does!!

My husband and I pulled our only son out of 1st grade and homeschooled from then till graduation. We homeschooled our only daughter all the way through. ... Was it easy? not always. Was it fun? not always. Was it trying? not always. Was it satisfying? not always. Was it worth it? ALWAYS!!!!!! I praise God He put "radical" people in my path to "shake me up" a little & make me think! :) I praise God that my 2 children are serving our Lord and not lost to the world!

Ok before this is so long you don't want to take the time to read the articles, here's the link to the blog with the article links:
http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2009/09/case-for-christian-education.html

And for my disclaimer: I did not look at each site entirely, select links, etc. I just read the article. I do not 100% agree with every word in every article, but I will say that I do agree with most of their points. :)

ABC's

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:45:00 +0000

Here is my Granddaughter, Haylea singing her ABC's. She's 2 & 1/2 :)

Click here if Video does not show up!

Big FAT Goose-Egg!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon L. Fowler) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:15:00 +0000

(In other words ... ZERO, or NOTHING!!) .... That's what came of my shopping at the Mall for clothes yesterday!!! My handsome hubby gave me a wad of cash & let me at it! LOL I was in search of some leggings & stuff like that & he gave me extra in case I found any clothes I liked. Well I looked in 3 stores, and came back with NOTHING!!! So, I have to order some of it online because no matter where I look in stores I just can't find what I'm looking for (or the price is just WAY too high for what you get). Later, at the Great Wally World Adventure Store, I ended up buying some patterns & material & I will be sportin' some new shirts & skirts later this week! Maybe I'll post pictures of the finished products. :)