Now onto Christmas and new projects...

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

At my house, we had a warm and wonderful visit with my sister and her daughter.  My son and my niece are a year apart, both in high school, and have a lot in common.  It was, however, a working visit.

Our mother died a little over 12 years ago.  At that time I was designated keeper of photos, and I was supposed to get them sorted and parceled out to family members -- in a timely manner, one might assume.  I am really good at ignoring stuff I don't want to do, ok?  

My sister and I sorted through hundreds  thousands, tens of thousands even of photos.  Actually it was only one medium-sized box.  (There other boxes, but this was the easiest one to find at the moment.)  It was a good thing she was here as I didn't recognize half the people in the photos -- new babies, new husbands, relatives I hadn't seen in years, et al.  So we were able to sort into piles for each family member per executive decision (mine with a lot of advice from my sis).  That left a stack of photos, probably a good 200 of them, we thought everyone would like to have.

So after much discussion and input from everyone, it was decided I would scan the photos, post them online, and let people help themselves.  Further discussion brought the unamious, but reluctant (on my part) decision to join Facebook.  Family members would have to friend me and be designated as family to have access to the photos.  I have resisted joining Facebook up to now, although my sister has wanted me to for a long time.  Easier to keep in touch, I suppose.

My son and niece helped set up my account on Facebook, and I will start scanning soon after Christmas.  I am sure I will be reaching out to crocheters and others on FB as well; I have not linked my blog to Facebook as of yet.  If anyone has tips, tricks, or hints regarding scanning photos or working Facebook, I can always use all the help I can get!

And, as usual for this time of the year, I am feverishly crocheting in an attempt to fool myself into believing I will get all my projects done in time for gift-giving!  Oh, and I need to get my Christmas cards sent out.

Happy Holidays,

Renee  :)

Gobble, Gobble!

Renee  :)

It's Time to Vote...

Good Afternoon to all of you!

Inside Crochet has opened voting  for our most favorite craftiest blogs of all time.  Okay, just for 2011 then.  Vote here.

Originally there were to be 5 finalists in the running, but there was so much bloggy love we get to choose among six top nominees:

Attic 24 - attic24.typepad.com

Sibol - sunshineinternationalblanketsoflove.blogspot.com

Crochet Concupiscence - crochetconcupiscence.com

Little Tin Bird - littletinbird.co.uk

Emma Varnam - emmavarnam.co.uk

Planet June - planetjune.com.

Okay, go vote.  I did!

See you soon,

Renee  :)

Some of my Favorite Blogs...

As of today, I have 120 blogs on my Blogger Reader.  I love each and every one of them; to varying degrees, of course!  Some days I decide to declutter the list; which means I have to at least read the latest entry of any blog before I can decide to get rid of it.  And THAT is my downfall, I usually remember that this person has great free patterns, or really cool links, or a way of writing I really enjoy.

Then, there are those days where I just surf other bloggers' favorites -- the ones listed in sidebars on other people's blogs.  More than likely I will find one, or two, or more new and cool blogs to follow.

OK, all of this is leading to:  Inside Crochet's new blog awards, "Bloggies 2011".  They are taking nominations for any crafting blog til November 14, 2011.  The top 5 most nominated blogs will then be put to the vote.  All persons who comment (and thus nominate) will be put into a special drawing.

I commented today and nominated 5 of my favorites.  My list, in no particular order (I've added links so you can visit their goodness, too):

Dottie Angel — peachy keen stuff,

SIBOL — it feels good to remember our elderly,

A Thrifty Mrs. — a crazy lady with lots of good advice,

Scotty’s Place — this girl crochets like there is no tomorrow,

Refashionista — what can be done with thrift!

These were the first five that popped into my brain, so I figured they must be some I truly enjoy.  I wish I could have nominated another 5 or 10 or 115!  Be sure to get over to Inside Crochet and nominate your favorites; then we'll get to vote for them!

Have a safe and happy weekend everyone!

Renee  :)

A Long While...

Well, I have been gone awhile.  What's been happening and what I've been crocheting all that time? 

We've moved:  different house, same town.  I currently have a broken foot; so much is unpacked even at this late point.  I DID make sure where my yarn and patterns ended up in the new house, but I think I still have more yarn in the garage.  Hmm, problems and dilemmas.

Hooky-wise, let's see.  Three squares for SIBOL, but I neglected to take pictures.  AND, try as I might, they ended up packed and moved to the new house.  So I was the reason Mrs. Twins' Jan Eaton (3) was late in being done.  And, you can tell how early in the summer this was.  The Jan Eaton (3) blanket was #82.  Mrs. Twins and SIBOL are currently on #107!

Utilitarian crocheting from my stash is what came next: a dishcloth made with thrifted Peaches 'n' Creme, a beautiful self-striping green.  I had to make the dishcloth because this house doesn't have a dishwasher!  I was the dishwasher, et al, til I broke my foot.  Now it's my poor husband.

Then came a rug to put between the kitchen and dining room, but has ended up where the dogs like to sleep (one at a time, thankfully).  Oh, lesson learned on this one to use stitch markers if I don't want to count.  The rug does tend to veer out a bit at one end, bottom left in the pic.  It's a lot more noticeable in person.  Two strands held together of Red Heart Super Saver, half doubles and double crochets, made up as I went along.  This went so fast, and not as fiddly as I thought two strands would be.  This was my first time using two strands held together and an 'N' sized hook.  Easy peasy!

I am still working on the blanket I started last year.  I have all 35 squares done now, they measure 11" each.  I am trying  some different joining methods.  Nothing's really clicking yet.

A Happy and Safe Halloween to all!

Renee  :)