Granny: The Prequel...

Yesterday I boasted posted about the squares I sent out to Debi for her second Granny Swap.  Really I should have told you about receiving her square several days ago. 

This month's square is a granny (of course!) in different shades of blue.  I just have to come up with a plan for using these goodies.  An afghan, a scarf.  A scarf, maybe, with some coordinating or neutral color.  Okay, this could work.  Let me think about this.  LOL.

Here's hoping everyone has a great weekend.  Stay busy!

Renee  :)

Granny, At Last...

Ha, not what you think! 

I have finally finished the new square for the second round of Debi's Granny Square Swap.  It's based on Priscilla Hewitt's Amber Waves square.  First time I've done dtr (double triple crochet), ack!  Oh well, it's good for us to do different things once in awhile, she said very wisely.

I thought I would make all the squares in this swap with the same 3 colors.  I also decided to send a coordinating granny square in plain colors.  One of them is to go with the first square sent out last month, and the other is for this month.  (Don't look at the dust on the back of the couch, please.  Oh, sure, now everybody's looking at the dusty couch.  LOL.)

Here's a photo of the Amber Waves square from Flickr, via Ravelry, for your comparison.  The pattern called for an E hook, but I used my favorite hook, size H, and Red Heart Super Saver.  I had to eliminate Round 6 and do the last round in sc to make a 6 inch square.  But I think it turned out very well.  This crocheter, Larcy, also modified her square, out to 12 inches.  Looks great, doesn't it?  I think this could make a nice afghan using just this pattern, or as part of a mix of different squares.

Now, I have to tell Debi I didn't send out her squares last weekend as I promised.  Heck, they weren't even finished until last night,oops! I'm still within the deadline of January 31, but that's my excuse, not a reason.  How about the fact I'm the biggest procrastinator I know?  That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Happy rest of Thursday (or whatever day it is for you) to you,

Renee  :)

P.S.  I found my books for my Game of Thrones reading challenge, and I wasn't even looking for them!  Wow, am I good or what?



Playing Catch-up...

Hello all!  I hope everyone has had a good week.

I am playing catch-up in today's post.  These are Christmas presents I made and gave last month.  Short, quick, totally-enjoyable-to-make presents.  You can also see them on my Ravelry Projects page.  I am ReneeSpear401 on Ravelry.



I made skinny scarves for two teen girls -- my niece and my son's girlfriend.  The first is One Skein Scarf from the book, "The Happy Hooker".  You can get the pattern here.  Mine is the Paton's version.

The other scarf is My Dream Scarf with Fringe.  Also found on Ravelry, here.  I have discovered I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE making skinny scarves.  They are fast, fun, and done in one evening.  Perfect!

Several other family members received the easiest of all -- garlands, buntings, hangie thingies, whatever you want to call those things!

Crocheted Hearts Garland, on Ravelry.  Easy peasy!

Christmas Garlands #1, #2, #3.  I think I was looking for the quickest-ever garland to make.  It seemed to be a toss-up.

Ellen Bloom's Stars.

Five Point Motif.

Grandma Tree by the Royal Sisters.

And last, but not least:  homemade chocolate-covered peanut clusters -- for everyone on the list.  (Yeah, I could have used a few more peanuts.  These were the end of the batch of about 150+ clusters.)

There, that's done!  I've been meaning to post these FO's since just after Christmas.

Here's wishing you a fun and safe weekend!

Renee  :)

Going Black...

This is all about Freedom: yours, mine, ours, national, international, interwebz.

Learn all about PIPA and SOPA and why they're bad.  Here in plain language;  another good explanation.

Let Congress know you don't support censorship, banning, shutting down, whatever you want to call it.  Sign here.

Please.

Renee  :)

More, More, More...

Ah, yes.  Am I over committing myself?  I wonder...  

A Song of Ice and Fire Reading Challenge (aka Game of Thrones) -- see also my sidebar for the link.  The first step here is to find my books.  We moved six months ago, how time flies!

A friendly granny square swap now on its second square, over at Debi's blog, Dly's Hooks and Yarns.

A Round Ripple Crochet-A-Long with Pammy Sue.  She has a Flickr group to post pictures, progress, tips, and hints (I also have a link in my sidebar).  There is an option of a pattern from Crochet World, December 2011 issue; or a free similar pattern (link listed in the discussion thread on Flickr).  If you don't know Pammy Sue, you must read her stuff; she will crack you up.  Her blog is Scotty's Place.

Then there is Share-a-Square.  The last deadline is coming up.  I want to send 50 squares come February 1st.  I have 15 made; anyway groups of 10 if I don't make it to 50.

When do WIPs (works in progress) become UOs (unfinished objects)?  I have a blanket for my husband (not blogged about previously).  There's my sister's Christmas present from 2 Christmases and my first post ago.  And that Christmas garland which should be properly called Winter Garland (which we don't seem to be having anyway).  If I sit here long enough I am sure to come up with more things. 

Oh, I know... I have a great nephew who will be born in probably April and I want to make an afghan for him.  Perhaps that Round Ripple if I can find the right colors and right yarn out of my stash.

Anyway, I need a plan if I'm going to accomplish all this.  First and second are Share-a-Square and Debi's swap while going through my stash for the Round Ripple.  Maybe then the Winter Garland which just needs the hanging string or whatever you call it; I think I will style mine after Lucy's Jolly Festive Bunting.  And, and, and...

Gotta find those books!

Have a good rest of the day...
Renee  :)

P.S.  Oh, and I need to show you the Christmas presents I made and give last month.
P.P.S.  I don't remember where I got the photo from, but it sure seems to fit me today!

A Reading Challenge...

Bloghopping this morning brought me to The Lit Bitch (what a great name for a blog!) and her reading challenges for 2012 -- one  in particular.  Running from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012 is the A Song of Ice and Fire Reading Challenge for 2012.  There is also a link in my sidebar.

I am a big fan of the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series by George R. R. Martin.  It's five books (so far) about several families vying for power in a mythical place called Westeros.  It's medieval in flavor with a bit of magic thrown in.  Ah yes, dragons, too.   For mature audiences only due to violence, sex, and probably language.  There is also a television adaptation on HBO, "Game of Thrones", starting its second season in April.  GRRM and his latest book, "A Dance with Dragons" both have garnered enormous praise in 2011 and 2012.  All totally earned, as far as I'm concerned.

I've read the first four books -- in paperback.  The 5th is in hardback; I can wait til the paperback is released (probably this fall).  This is a no-pressure, got-all-year reading challenge.  If you want to post comments, reviews, progress -- all are welcome.  Sounds like my kind of thing.  Time to re-read some awesome, addictive books.

Books in Series Order:

1. A Game Of Thrones.
2. A Clash of Kings.
3. A Storm of Swords.
4. A Feast For Crows.
5. A Dance With Dragons.

Hope everyone is having a fruitful and productive weekend,

Renee  :)