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  :)

Good-bye 2011, Hello 2012...

Suffice it to say I am ready for the new year.

Happy and Safe New Year's to all!

Renee  :)

Merry, Merry...

Good times to all during the Holidays!
Renee  :)

A New Square and How we Blog...

I am participating in a friendly Granny Square swap over at Debi's blog, Dly's Hooks and Yarns.   I received Debi's square in yesterday's mail.  Man, I am going to have to participate in more swaps; I LOVE getting this type of mail!  The square (from my last post) I made for Debi is winging its way to her as I write. 

I am not into variegated yarns too much, but the colors in this one are some of my favorites -- green especially.  Purple, too.  And she  included a packet of coordinating buttons, with a cute little note.  I know my photo is a bit fuzzy.  Blur reduction was "on", too.  Oh, well.  Thank you, Debi.  I can't wait til the next swap.

Just wanted to show you my blogging partner; her name is Cassie.  We've had her almost a year and a half now.  She was a rescue dog from our local shelter.  The closest we can come to her ancestry is part Huskie and part yellow Lab.  I don't know if you can tell, but she's a mama's girl.




Onto one of my Christmas WIPs.  Here are photos of snowflakes and icicles for a garland to hang here at home.  The snowflakes are all from different sources; the icicles are coincidentally from Debi's blog.  10 minutes if you're a slow crocheter is all it takes to make an icicle from her pattern.  Easy peasy.

Because all I wanted to accomplish was to stretch the snowflakes and icicles, I did a wet blocking .  As they are made from worsted weight yarn (Red Heart Super Saver), they will not hold a blocking without steam. 

I took a loose interpretation of "snowflake" when I was searching out patterns.  I couldn't pick too intricate a pattern; the yarn wouldn't accommodate fine details.  So I guess I am just calling it a "Christmas" garland.

I hope everyone is having a good week.  Stay busy!

Renee  :)

My Square is Ready...

Hello, and how is everyone today?  I hope you all had a great weekend.  Onto business...

Granny square swaps are great stash-busters.  I am participating in Debi's swap over at Dly's Hooks and Yarns.  When I chose the colors, I was ready for some "not-Christmas" colors, if you know what I mean.  And I wanted a pattern I had never made before.  So a-surfin' I did go!

I ended up at Sunshine and Whimsy's free pattern, the 6" Sunburst Square.  I pretty much followed her pattern, except (and there's always an except -- I hardly ever follow a pattern exactly)...  I made the last row dc's around with 2 dc's in the V-stitches.  Here's hers for comparison:

It's a quick and easy pattern to work up.  And I get to mail my square to Debi before the deadline.  I'm trying to redeem myself for that mix-up over at SIBOL with the Jan Eaton square.

Okay, back to Christmas WIP's.  I'm making garlands, buntings, whatever the correct phrase is, for this year's gifts.  Oh, and one for my house, too.  Plus I have a new great nephew on the way, be here in the spring.  This pattern just might be the one I use for his blanket!

Photos later this week on Christmas progress.

Happy, happy,
Renee  :)