Valentine's Day

I just picked up my Valentine's Day goodies from the Bowie High School Culinary class.  My daughter went through this program and we enjoyed the fruits of her labors ...lol.  I have had the privilege of helping out with the data entry of  the orders for 7 years now.  Chef Winemiller does such a great job with the kids.  The quality of the food is awesome.

They do Chocolate covered strawberries and Jumbo Chocolate Chip cookies too.

I made this for Chef so he would have some truffles that wont ever go bad... lol.

He noticed right away that the container was from a Valentine Sampler from years ago.

Wishes for a Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Evergreen Tree Pattern

A PDF of this pattern can be found in my Ravelry Store:  Evergreen Tree

Skill Level:  Advanced
Size:  8” tall x 4” diameter

Materials:

•  Red Heart – Paddy Green 50 grams
•  Crochet Hook “H”
•  Stuffing
•  Row Marker
•  Tapestry Needle (steal)
•  Optional:  4" circle of plastic canvas to make the base of the tree stiff. (thanks for the idea Amber)

Special Instructions:

Clover – Ch 3, sl st into the camel hump of the beginning ch 1, [ch 3, sl st into the camel hump of the 1st ch of this set] 2 times, sl st to the beginning sc using the front loop and the leg loop.

YouTube video tutorials for the Clover and Working Behind the Clover

Directions:  This piece is worked in a spiral.

Rnd 1:  With a Magic Loop, sc 6.
Rnd 2:  2 sc (inc) 6 times. (12 sts)
Rnd 3:  [2 sc (inc), sc 1] 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4:  [2 sc (inc), sc 2] 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 5:  [2 sc (inc), sc 3] 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 6:  [2 sc (inc), sc 4] 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnd 7:  Sc 1, [2 sc (inc), sc 2] 11 times, 2 sc (inc), sc 1. (48 sts)
Rnd 8:  Work even. (48 sts)
Rnd 9:  In BLO (this row only), work even. (48 sts) This helps turn the edge of the base.
Rnd 10:  Sc 1, [Clover, sc 4] 11 times, Clover, sc 3. (48 sts & 12 Clovers)
Rnd 11:  [sc 2 tog behind the Clover, sc 6] 6 times. (42 sts)
Rnd 12:  Work even. (42 sts)
Rnd 13:  [sc 3, Clover, sc 4, Clover] 6 times. (42 sts & 12 Clovers)
Rnd 14:  Sc 6, [sc 2 tog behind the Clover, sc 5] 5 times, sc 2 tog behind the Clover. (36 sts)

If you choose to use the plastic canvas put the circle into the tree here.

Rnd 15:  Work even. (36 sts)
Rnd 16:  Sc 1, Clover, sc 4, [Clover, sc 3] 10 times, sc 1. (36 sts & 11 Clovers)
Rnd 17:  Sc 4, [sc 2 tog behind the Clover, sc 4] 5 times, sc 2 tog behind the Clover. (30 sts)
Rnd 18:  Work even. (30 sts)
Rnd 19:  Sc 1, [Clover, sc 3] 9 times, Clover, sc 2. (30 sts & 10 Clovers)
Rnd 20:  [sc 2 tog behind the Clover, sc 4] 5 times. (25 sts)
Rnd 21:  Work even. (25 sts)
Rnd 22:  [sc 3, Clover] 8 times, sc 1. (25 sts & 8 Clovers)
Rnd 23:  Sc 2, [sc 2 tog behind the Clover, sc 4] 3 times, sc 2 tog behind the Clover, sc 3. (21 sts)

Lightly stuff the tree at this point, making sure to hold the bottom onto a flat surface while stuffing. This will help to keep the bottom flat.

Rnd 24:  Work even. (21 sts)
Rnd 25:  Sc 2, [Clover, sc 3] 6 times, Clover, sc 1. (21 sts & 7 Clovers)
Rnd 26:  Sc 1, [sc 2 tog behind the Clover, sc 4] 3 times, sc 2 tog behind the Clover. (17 sts)
Rnd 27:  Work even. (17 sts)
Rnd 28:  Sc 1, [Clover, sc 3] 5 times, sc 1, Clover. (17 sts & 6 Clovers)
Rnd 29:  [sc 2 tog behind the Clover, sc 4] 2 times, sc 2 tog behind the Clover, sc 3. (14 sts)
Rnd 30:  Work even. (14 sts)
Rnd 31:  Sc 2, [Clover, sc 3] 4 times, Clover. (14 sts & 5 Clovers)
Rnd 32:  [sc 1, sc 2 tog behind the Clover] 4 times, sc 2. (10 sts)
Rnd 33:  Work even. (10 sts)

Add more stuffing

Rnd 34:  Sc 1, [Clover, sc 2] 4 times, Clover, sc 1. (10 sts & 5 Clovers)
Rnd 35:  Sc 2 tog behind the Clover 5 times. (5 sts)

Finish stuffing the tree.

Rnd 36:  Work even. (5 sts)
Rnd 37:  Sc 1, [Clover, sc 2] 2 times, Clover. (5 sts & 3 Clovers)
Rnd 38:  Sc 1, sk 1, sc 1, sk 1, sc 1, Clover, sl st.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Decorate if you desire.

If you are interested in incorporating beads on the points of the Clovers there are 80 Clovers including the top Clover.


Terminology

sc = Single Crochet
sl st = Slip Stitch
dc = Double Crochet
sts = Stitches
sk = Skip the next stitch
[ ] = Work instruction within brackets as many times as directed
(inc) = Increase: Stitch in same stitch
tog = Decrease: Stitch Together the number of stitches indicated
Camel’s hump = The back or 3rd loop on the chain stitch
Work Even = Work one sc in each stitch of round or row below

Copyright ©2010, all rights reserved.
Licensed for personal use only.
Please do not sell items made from pattern without permission

I decided to have some fun and make a tree with snow on the branches... the snow fell off some of the branches... lol.  The other tree has beads on each point of the clover and all points on the top.

Owl Fingerless Gloves

I have seen this pattern before but never gotten around to making them.  With the weather getting colder here in Texas (I know 50's isn't cold, but down here it is.. lol) I decided to make some for myself.

This one is with the flash on.

With the flash off you can see the texture of the cables better.

Here is the pair together.  I think they look really cute  :-)

The yarn is a very old Red Heart called Windsor Blue but it has a green/teal look to it.

The pattern is a free download if you are a Ravelry member and can be found here  Owl Mitts by Erika Ward.

Evergreen Tree

I have been thinking on this idea for a while and it finally got out of my brain... lol.  Of course it was after the Craft Fair so I will have to make a bunch for next year... maybe a forest  :-)

The Tree is about 8" tall and 4" around the base

Here is a shot with Rudy the Reindeer.  I don't have this original one because it is on the way to Morocco to my friends daughter, so she can have a Christmas tree and reindeer.

Here I was just playing around with the pattern to make a snow covered tree.  The green spot is supposes to be where snow has fallen off the branches.  The effect was not exactly what I expected... lol. 

Off to start on the forest!

Craft Fair 2010

Well to start with I forgot to take my camera... sigh!  I took some pictures on my phone but they are not the best, some of the other craft members took some so I hope I can bring you them in the future. 

The Craft Fair this year was a great success.  The hit of the show for me was seeing all the creative ideas made out of the cardboard cup cozies.  Judy & Susan out did themselves with some awesome creations.  Feel free to ping over to my Church's web site for a few pictures from the Fair.  All the items are made by the Craft Group (10 - 12 active members) throughout the year.   Craft Fair Pictures 

I usually make: silent auction afghan (this year it was the Snowflakes Throw), other afghans or lap throws, dishcloths, and amigrumi critters.  With my daughters wedding this year I really didn't make that much stuff, so I was amazed when wandering around the tables I found so many things I had forgotten I had made... lol.

Since I didn't get pictures at the Fair I have pulled a few from my albums of the things I found.  Enjoy!

Rudy the Reindeer

Arty the Armadillo

Cup O Joe TP cover

Designed by April Moreland

Roary the Lion & Ewey the Lamb

Tunisian Short Row Afghan

Designed by Kim Guzman

Snowflakes Throw

Designed by Tammy Hildebrand

Calendar-ghan

Squares designed by April Moreland

Every year I can't seem to make enough of the Amigrumi critters, so this year I am going to have to start early and get more made (famous last words... I am a notorious procrastinator ).... lol.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cup O Joe

Just finished three of these, have two more to make for the Craft Fair. I started with April Morelands pattern and changed it up to use WW yarn instead of Chunky yarn.  I have to get going on some amigrumi's for the Fair too, so will have some more entrys here soon.

It is fun to do something quick for a change.  Thanks April for such a neat pattern to work with.  :-)

The Wedding is Done!

Hello again.  The wedding is over, now I just have to wait for the professional pictures  :-) 

Here is one I got for the newspaper:

The little cutie is my new grandson too!! 

He is only 2 1/2 yrs old. 

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Erika's best friend and Maid of Honor took this one while the wedding party was waiting on Ben and his brother to change out of their Navy uniforms before the reception.

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I got through the service without a tear shed but when they danced their first dance to George Straight's "I Cross My Heart" from Pure Country.... well let's just say tears leaked.

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Then there was the Daddy/ Daughter dance... sigh

I can't wait to see more pictures from friends and family, I was to ditzy to have even pulled out my camera. 

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I am still working on her Double Wedding Ring Afghan, she knows about it and understands why it wasn't done in time.  :(  I showed her the yarns and she oohed and aahed over the colors.

Oh the best thing about it.... The hotel, where we had the reception and where they stayed that night, included a massage for my daughter as part of the package.  Well she didn't have time to use it so.... I get a free massage!!  Just have to schedule it... I may have to go do that now before I forget... lol.

bye for now....Carrie