The cat is out of the bag

My husband and his friend are opening their own plumbing company. They obtained a business license and tax id number a few months ago, when the company they worked for was sold. The Reno division of that company was soon closed and the possibility of closing the office here became a real concern. It’s still up in the air as to what will happen to it. A few weeks ago my husband’s partner passed the test for his Contractors License, less than two weeks later the corporation that had purchased the company the guys were working for found out and fired them both. Needless to say, the last week or so has been an exciting scramble to pull together the final pieces of their company and get it up and running. I have every confidence in my husband and know he and his partner will build a successful and prosperous business. Congratulations and Good Luck, gentlemen!

Finally a decent picture!

I whined a little about the quality of my pictures, so my roomate Dave took a few more for me. This close up came out pretty good. I'm happy now.

HMB Contest Prize

I made a necklace today for the Heartmade Blessings squares contest. The contest is currently under way. This necklace will be one of the prizes that will be awarded.

This is a lousy picture, I had to use my cell phone, my digital camera was dead. I'm charging it and will try to take some better pictures later. The stones are Unakite chips (a green and reddish-pink colored stone) and the pendant is a yarn cutter. I love the gold leaves, I might have to make some earrings out of the leftovers. :)

Inspired by Heartmade Blessings

I designed this square for Heartmade Blessings a couple of years ago. I designed it with the Operation Purple Heart program in mind. This program collects squares in combinations of Red, White and Blue or Purple and White (or Red and White for Canada). The blankets assembled from these squares are given to the surviving parents or spouse of our fallen solders.

Shield of Honor 12" Square Version 1

Designed by Mindy Hobgood

I hook or size needed for gauge.


Worsted weight yarn: use two shades of the same color.


Stitch Guide:


FPdc - yo, insert hook from front to back around post of stitch indicated, yo and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), (yo and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice.,br>


Note- all dc's are done in back loops only throughout.


Starting with darker color, ch 5, sl st to form ring.


Round 1: Ch 3, 23 dc in ring, sl st in top of beg ch 3.


Round 2: Change to lighter color, ch 3, 3 dc in next st (corner made), dc in next st, FPdc in next 3 sts on previous row, (dc in next st, 3 dc in next st, dc in next st, FPdc in next 3 sts on previous row) 3 times, end sl st in top of ch 3.


Round 3: Ch 3, dc in next st, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts, FPdc in next 3 sts on previous row, (dc in next 2 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts, FPdc in next 3 sts on previous row) 3 times, end sl st in top of ch 3.

Round 4: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts, FPdc in next 3 sts on previous row, (dc in next 3 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts, FPdc in next 3 sts on previous row) 3 times, end sl st in top of ch 3.


Round 5: Ch 3, dc in next 4 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in next 5 sts, FPdc in next 3 sts on previous row, (dc in next 5 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in next 5 sts, FPdc in next 3 sts on previous row) 3 times, end sl st in top of ch 3.


Round 6: Working in back loops only, sl st in each st to corner st. Ch 3, 4 dc in same st, dc in next 5 st, sk next st, FPdc around next dc on prev row {1st dc to the right of 1st FPdc}, FPdc around 1st FPdc, dc in same st, FPdc around next FPdc, dc in next FPdc, FPdc around same st, FPdc in next dc, (sk next st, dc in next 5 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in next 5 sts, sk next st, FPdc around next dc on prev row {1st dc to the right of 1st FPdc}, FPdc around 1st FPdc, dc in same st, FPdc around next FPdc, dc in next FPdc, FPdc around same st, FPdc in next dc) 3 times, sk next st, dc in next 5 sts - covering sl sts, end sl st in top of ch 3.


Round 7: Ch 3, dc in next st, 5 dc in next st, dc in next 6 st, sk next st, FPdc around 1st FPdc on prev row, FPdc around next FPdc, dc in same st, dc in next st, FPdc around next FPdc, dc in next st, dc in next FPdc, FPdc around same st, FPdc in next FPdc, (sk next st, dc in next 6 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in next 6 sts, sk next st, FPdc around next FPdc on prev row, FPdc around next FPdc, dc in same st, dc in next st, FPdc around next FPdc, dc in next st, dc in next FPdc, FPdc around same st, FPdc in next FPdc) 3 times, sk next st, dc in next 4 sts, end sl st in top of ch 3.


Round 8: Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in next 7 st, sk next st, FPdc around 1st FPdc on prev row, FPdc around next FPdc, dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts, FPdc around next FPdc, dc in next 2 sts, dc in next FPdc, FPdc around same st, FPdc in next FPdc, (sk next st, dc in next 7 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in next 7 sts, sk next st, FPdc around next FPdc on prev row, FPdc around next FPdc, dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts, FPdc around next FPdc, dc in next 2 sts, dc in next FPdc, FPdc around same st, FPdc in next FPdc) 3 times, sk next st, dc in next 3 sts, end sl st in top of ch 3.


Round 9: Ch 3, dc in next 5 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in next 8 st, sk next st, FPdc around 1st FPdc on prev row, FPdc around next FPdc, dc in same st, dc in next 3 sts, FPdc around next FPdc, dc in next 3 sts, dc in next FPdc, FPdc around same st, FPdc in next FPdc, (sk next st, dc in next 8 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in next 8 sts, sk next st, FPdc around next FPdc on prev row, FPdc around next FPdc, dc in same st, dc in next 3 sts, FPdc around next FPdc, dc in next 3 sts, dc in next FPdc, FPdc around same st, FPdc in next FPdc) 3 times, sk next st, dc in next 2 sts, end sl st in top of ch 3.


Round 10: Change to darker color, ch 3, dc in each st around, with 5 dc in each corner st, end sl st in top of ch 3.

Shield of Honor Version 2

Here is an alternate version of the Shield of Honor square. I wasn't happy with my first version, so I came up with this one. Then I thought others might like the first version so I decided to keep them both.

Shield of Honor 12" Square Version 2

Designed by Mindy Hobgood


I hook or size needed for gauge.


Worsted weight yarn: use two shades of the same color.



Stitch Guide:


FPdc - yo, insert hook from front to back around post of stitch indicated, yo and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), (yo and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice.


Cluster stitch - *yo, insert hook in stitch indicated, yo and pull up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook; repeat from * 2 times more, yo and draw through all 4 loops on hook.



Starting with darker color, ch 5, sl st to form ring.


Round 1: Ch 3, 23 dc in ring, sl st in top of beg ch 3.


Round 2: Note - dc's are done in back loops only on this round. Change to lighter color, ch 3, 3 dc in next st (corner made), dc in next st, FPdc in next 3 sts on previous row, (dc in next st, 3 dc in next st, dc in next st, FPdc in next 3 sts on previous row) 3 times, end sl st in top of ch 3.


Round 3: Ch 3, dc in next st, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts, FPdc in next 3 sts on previous row, (dc in next 2 sts, 3 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts, FPdc in next 3 sts on previous row) 3 times, end sl st in top of ch 3.


Round 4: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts, FPdc in next 3 sts on previous row, (dc in next 3 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts, FPdc in next 3 sts on previous row) 3 times, end sl st in top of ch 3.


Round 5: Note - dc's and sl sts are done in back loops only on this round. Sl st in each st to corner st. Ch 3, 4 dc in same st, dc in next 4 st, sk next st, FPdc around first FPdc on prev row, dc in same st, FPdc around next FPdc, dc in next FPdc, FPdc around same st, (sk next st, dc in next 4 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts, sk next st, FPdc around first FPdc on prev row, dc in same st, FPdc around next FPdc, dc in next FPdc, FPdc around same st,) 3 times, sk next st, dc in next 4 sts covering sl sts, end sl st in top of ch 3.


Round 6: Ch 3, dc in next st, 5 dc in next st, dc in next 5 st, sk next st, FPdc around first FPdc on prev row, dc in same st, dc in next st, FPdc around next FPdc, dc in next st, dc in next FPdc, FPdc around same st, (sk next st, dc in next 5 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in next 5 sts, sk next st, FPdc around first FPdc on prev row, dc in same st, dc in next st, FPdc around next FPdc, dc in next st, dc in next FPdc, FPdc around same st,) 3 times, sk next st, dc in next 3 sts, end sl st in top of ch 3.


Round 7: Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in next 6 st, sk next st, FPdc around first FPdc on prev row, dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts, FPdc around next FPdc, dc in next 2 sts, dc in next FPdc, FPdc around same st, (sk next st, dc in next 6 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in next 6 sts, sk next st, FPdc around first FPdc on prev row, dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts, FPdc around next FPdc, dc in next 2 sts, dc in next FPdc, FPdc around same st,) 3 times, sk next st, dc in next 2 sts, end sl st in top of ch 3.


Round 8: Note - dc's are done in back loops only on this round. Change to darker color, ch 3, dc in each st around, with 5 dc in each corner st, end sl st in top of ch 3.


Round 9: Change to lighter color, ch 3, (yo, insert hook into same st, pull up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook) repeat once, yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook, beginning cluster made. *Ch 1, sk next st, (cluster st in next st, ch 1 sk next st,) repeat to corner, 5 dc in corner st,* repeat from * each side, end ch 1 sl st into beg cluster.


Round 10: Change to darker color, ch 3, dc in each st and each ch 1 sp around, with 5 dc in each corner, end sl st in top of ch 3.

Help, I have no thumbs!

Dinner with Mike and Nikki was fun, we had a great time and the food was awesome. Mike's Aunt and Uncle celebrated their Anniversary with us as well, so it was one big party!

Here is what I accomplished on my gloves over the weekend:

Yes, they still need the thumbs knitted in.

Now we're really gonna party!

Congratulations Mike!!!

!!!Happy Birthday Nikki!!!

Hey Ya'll! Just a quick shout out to my dear friend Nikki! Have a great day. Can't wait for dinner tomorrow, it's going to be so much fun. We're going to a really neat fondue restaurant. Its.So.Very.Good.

HMB Ghan for Karen

Here is the completed comfortghan for my friend Karen. I used the "Flat Braid" joining method by Priscilla Hewett. The edging is from "50 Crocheted Afghan Borders" by Jean Leinhauser. I don't remember what number it was, but I did modify it a little bit. Here's another link for it: http://www.anniesattic.com/detail.html?prod_id=19213 . I love this book, it has some really great borders that I want to try.

Fetching knitting

Here it is..

My first finished item done on double point needles. A fingerless glove from Knitty.com. The yarn is Bernat Softee Baby. As you can see it's a little too small. I have it cast on again, this time I'm adding one pattern repeat and a few extra rows to the top. It should be right this time. Once I finally finish this pair in pink, I want to make my Mom a set in blue. I'll have to go back and make another small one and give that pair to someone with smaller hands. By the time I finish all that maybe I'll be ready to move on to socks!

Enough with the pity party!

Hey ya’ll. I’m still not feeling to good, but I am doing a bit better. I made an appointment with a new doctor to get a “second opinion” on the liver disease diagnosis. I’m working on gathering test results and medical records to take with me. I’m also trying to write down my medical history, symptoms and concerns to discuss with him. I really need a game plan to tackle this new condition along with all the other ones. I’ve also been trying to eat better and I have already lost a little weight. The exercise part is a little harder since I have no energy and I’m feeling so tired. I’ll just have to start slow.

If you’ve read my blog in the last week you may have noticed that my little Avatar over there was pouting. Her arms were crossed and she had a very sad look on her face with a background scene of question marks. I was feeling very upset and confused about this diagnosis, but a dear friend helped me feel better. When I came home from work the other day my husband pointed out a white binder and told me it was for me. Puzzled I picked up and looked through it. One of our friends (who also works with my husband) had printed out several articles on Fatty Liver Disease, treatments, vitamin therapies, and more. He neatly organized it with dividers and wrote me a supportive note on the first page. I was so surprised and touched. Thank you, Will.

So, I’ve changed my Avatar. That cheering crowd is all my friends and family supporting me right now. I love you all!!

What do you mean my liver is fat?

I'm not coping well with my life today. I was out sick for several days last week due to severe pain in my upper abdomen and back. My doctor and I thought it was my gall bladder and I was mentally preparing for surgery. Nice and simple and done with, right? WRONG. My doctor ordered an ultrasound on Wednesday morning. Afterwards the tech tells me the scan is negative for gallstones, go home and call my doctor tomorrow and it was only 9 am! After leaving two messages Thursday morning I was finally able to speak to my doctor late Thursday night. He informed me that I have "Fatty Liver Disease". What the h*** is that??? OK, so I need to lose a few (read: several) pounds. Apparently there is fat IN my liver, which is a bad thing and can lead to all sorts of not-so-fun complications such as cirrhosis or cancer. There is no "medical" treatment for this, the only thing I can do is diet, exercise and avoid alcohol. Yes, I should be doing these things anyway, and was planning to...see my New Years Resolutions. I'm just having a really hard time wrapping my poor little brain around this new diagnosis. You see, I have previously been diagnosed with SEVERAL other disorders and this is just ONE more and I'm wondering how many diseases one person can reasonably have. Maybe I shouldn't ask, the doctors might come up with another one.

Another quiz

This is funny. I think "Crochet Guru" is probably more accurate, but the description is right on.

What Kind of Knitter Are You?

You appear to be a Knitting Guru. You love knitting and do it all the time. While finishing a piece is the plan, you still love the process, and can't imagine a day going by without giving some time to your yarn. Packing for vacation involves leaving ample space for the stash and supplies. It can be hard to tell where the yarn ends and you begin.
Take this quiz!






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Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year to everyone, I hope your Holidays were wonderful and that this will be a great year for you all.

Here is a list of my 2007 resolutions:

* Lose weight. This will be the hardest one. No more Pop Tarts and less fast food!!!

* Exercise more. Use that gym membership my husband is always fussing at me to use or cancel.

* Use up some of my yarn stash. It’s really not that big (not like my mom’s, I love you Mom!), I know I can eliminate most of it.

* Finish up several of my unfinished projects. I’m going to log them all on the right over there and put up progress bars (once I figure out that tricky HTML thing).

* Post to my blog at least once a week. I gotta give you guys a reason to come back and leave me more comments.

* Write lots of crochet patterns. I have so many ideas, I’m surprised people don’t see them spilling out of my head.

* Get at least one pattern published. This does not include the ones I plan to self publish.

* Conquer knitting. I really want to make socks. I made a small swatch on double pointed needles the other day. The DPN’s weren’t so bad once I got going on them.

* Make more squares for Heartmade Blessings (see “use up stash”).

Here’s to the New Year and good luck on your resolutions!

More chubby cheek family pictures.

This is Dad, Mom, Steven, Tonya and me. The dogs are Nicki and Mandy.

Me, Tonya and Steven.

White Elephants.

Here is my first "officially completed" knitted project. A drop-stitch scarf in Joann Sensations Bellezza Collection Cosetta Yarn. I gave it away for our white elephant gift exchange at work. That's the game where you get to "steal" presents from each other. Our IT guy opened it, then the owner of the company stole it from him! I got an outdoor clock/thermometer, it'll go perfectly in our courtyard.

This isn't the airport.

Last night was our weekly crochet meeting. We meet every Tuesday at a small bar/restaurant on my side of town (northwest). Our group recently filed to become a Chapter with the Crochet Guild of America. We are the Las Vegas Hookers. :) It was a very exciting evening; we had three new members show up. Angie (our resident crochet teacher) spent some time with one of them teaching her how to read a Christmas stocking pattern. One of the other new ladies brought an adorable black purse she’d made for her granddaughter; she’d edged the top of it with pink fun fur and made a floppy hat to match. So very cute!

A funny thing happened when I first arrived. A few weeks ago I purchased a wheeled yarn tote to carry all my supplies in. You can see it/get one here (mine is pink.) It’s completely loaded with several works in progress. Anyways as I approached to door to the bar, there was a drunken man standing outside. He was holding a set of keys in his hand and standing next to a bike and he commented on my tote…

Drunk man: This is a bar, not the airport.

Me: OK.

Drunk man: The airport is east, way over that direction. (waves his arm in that direction and slurs)

Me: OK

Drunk man: This isn’t the airport.

Me: Yes, I know.

Drunk man: But planes do land here sometimes.

Me: Uh huh.

I darted inside after that and told my friends about him.

I do have to admit he’s right, even about the planes landing…A couple of weeks ago a small one made an emergency crash landing in the middle of the street a few blocks over.

How about a facelift?

I did it, I switched over to Blogger Beta. Blogger has been begging me to for weeks. So, I decided a new name and a new layout/color scheme was in order. The name comes from one of my favorite songs, Dolly Pardon's "Coat of Many Colors". This song has very special meaning to me. When I was growing up my mother made me many crocheted items which I always proudly wore. I loved everything she made, but my classmates always made fun of me for wearing them. It didn't matter to me, I wore them anyway. My mother is a very talented crafter, and I am proud to have inherited her talent.

I am the Moon.

This is cool. I like this card.

You are The Moon

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Moon is a card of magic and mystery - when prominent you know that nothing is as it seems, particularly when it concerns relationships. All logic is thrown out the window.

The Moon is all about visions and illusions, madness, genius and poetry. This is a card that has to do with sleep, and so with both dreams and nightmares. It is a scary card in that it warns that there might be hidden enemies, tricks and falsehoods. But it should also be remembered that this is a card of great creativity, of powerful magic, primal feelings and intuition. You may be going through a time of emotional and mental trial; if you have any past mental problems, you must be vigilant in taking your medication but avoid drugs or alcohol, as abuse of either will cause them irreparable damage. This time however, can also result in great creativity, psychic powers, visions and insight. You can and should trust your intuition.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Speaking of Seraphinas.

I found this pin on Ebay.

Here is another completed shawl. This one is for my sister Patty. She loves cows. You can see the shawl I made for my other sister, Tonya here.