Life in general

In one of my last posts I had stated I was going to get organized.  Laughable,  me , not now and maybe never.  I have many reason or as my daughter says excuses.  I am the oldest daughter to my Mom who is battling cancer and lives nearby. ( about 1 1/2 hours away)  My sisters live in Tulsa so that is about 15 hours away. I have 5 grown kids, 11 grandkids and 3 great grandsons. I am a control freak, or so I have been told and try to oversee their problems whenever I can. Right now my Mom is in the hospital with an UTI and JJ one of the great grandsons is in the process of being tested for Aspergers and has SPD. I also just found out my Granddaughter will be having her first baby in January. I am raising a 6 year old niece who has ODD and have a hubby who we are driving crazy. With all this I crochet to keep sane and make some extra spending money as I can always find something one of them might need or want. All that said the announcement of a new baby had me wanting to make teddy bears. What color I was not sure so I tried my hand at these two and then did get them listed on etsy.

I have also started to get my Christmas list going. I can crochet in the car on our long rides to and from Montello.  Yes, I worry alot, but would not change any of them one bit.   I am truly blessed.

The Big Chill Ends

Good Morning, it is sunny and only -4 this morning. That means we have made it through the worst and can now talk about it.  No frozen pipes, kids off school 5 days in a row and we are all still civil.
     We ventured out into the cold yesterday when I needed crochet thread for a christening gown I am working on. An emergency?  In my book YES. I only bought one ball, not knowing if I would like working with #3 thread , rather than baby yarn. I love how it looks and now can't wait to finish it. I am then going to try and make a slip for this delicate vintage pattern Christening gown. I bought the pattern from an Etsy shop ,  

 As I stitch away I can see my Gram smiling from ear to ear. She crocheted almost her whole life. We grew up in things she made and our babies all came home in her sweater sets, got Christened in her gowns and off to school in her hooded sweaters. She could look at something and just figure it out, I wish I was that talented.
  I do have a few new things up my sleeve and if I finish my blanket squares and a few orders I can start on three new puppy hats, a chow, bassett hound and yorkie.  I have to make myself finish before I can start more. I also have a lamb and baby bird drawn out and waiting to be hooked.  I may have to forget cleaning house, have leftovers and just stay up later to get this all done.

  I am off to sit in the sunshine and work on projects, stay warm and safe and have a wonderful productive day!

July is Here

       It seems as if summer has just arrived but as I check the calendar it is July already. For crafters this is not summer vacation but time to get ready for the holidays. That seems silly but the time to make sure you have enough stock for shows and the shop orders before you get swamped with holiday orders. Being swamped would be a good thing but this year I have a plan to be prepared so I can also enjoy the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
      Long before people start searching for Christmas I need to be ready for the Halloween rush. In years past I have made a point of showing Moms just how easy it is to add a fun animal hat to a pair of sweats or a blanket sleeper for a fun costume alternative. The hat can be worn all winter and the sweats or blanket sleeper used again. Here in Wisconsin we never know what weather we will have on Halloween, a light jacket or the snow suit so these hats and costume suggestions are a good idea. No masks needed and the kids are comfy and cozy as the trick or treat of play at home long afterward.I am working on some new baby sets that will make great gifts for holidays or an upcoming baby shower.  Some of the fun animal hats will include fingerless mitts this season and I am adding to the fox items as well as those colorful owls,sock monkeys and a few surprises.

It is Nice to Be Busy

Things have been pretty busy around our house lately.  My Etsy shop Grammas Gifts has picked up again, and that keeps me hooking. I am taking two classes online and am learning to study all over again. Then we did have seven new puppies come along, my Granddaughter brought her dog Daisy for a visit and she decided to stay a bit. I was also trying to get ready for Easter at the new house, the little guys and I will be heading to Montello and the Annual Easter Bunny Parade. This is the fifth year and each year the crowd grows. The kids really look forward to this. Being from the Chicago area, as kids we went to the mall and saw the Easter Bunny. In this area there is no place to take the kids, and the Garden Center has been kind enough to bring the Easter Bunny to the folks of all ages who live here. Now add to that they we are in the process of trying to get my five year old niece here from Tennessee. Visits with social workers and loads of red tape. The probate on my Uncles estate is still hanging open , so yes we are busy here.
Even though all this is going on I had to get ready for spring. I decided to make what I am calling a diabetic Easter wreath, let me give you a peek....here is a link for the peeps

Marshmallow peep like bunnies.....NO SUGAR involved

Nothing fancy, but a touch of spring on my front door.

our seven little puppies are now wide eyed and crawling everywhere!  The Mom is overwhelmed, so many little mouths to feed.

These are our two guys last year when the weather was warm, the snow was gone and it felt like spring. This year we may be wearing snow boots and mittens to hunt for eggs.

Time to Think

Early this morning my hubby took my Grandson Carsen back to his Dad'd, something we do almost every week. He is my little house guest and gives me reasons to bake cookies and watch cartoons. We spend our days watching the Rifleman, Bonanza and a new favorite of his Gunsmoke. He wants to be a cowboy when he grows up, he is three. In the photo he is busy with his cowboy dog, a cockapoo named BINGO.  We could not have found him a better companion, he is patient, loves the attention and a great side kick to our cowboy. I only hope this phase lasts for years.
The only down side to all this fun we have is that I tend to get very little crocheting done. Over the past few weeks I have bought some very cute patterns and am waiting to try them out. Some of them come from Boomer Beanies, RAKJ patterns and Crazy Socks Designs. There are so many more and with the help of Ravelry and Craftsy a new pattern is very easy to find. The problem is there are more patterns than time lately.  I am working on a set of boxey bunny hats and pants for twins as well as a rhino and in between some african flower hexagons for a bedspread for me.

I am having so much fun working up these little sets, now if we just had some little ones.  I should bite my tongue......we did get little ones today   SEVEN puppies how exciting and this event brought my first home alone day to a stop while all the labor and birthing went on this afternoon.

Mandy the "mom" is a bichon and a one person dog, Mine , she was very upset as she worked so hard this afternoon. This is #5, atleast that is what I was calling him as I rubbed him to get him to wiggle around, he had a hard time coming into the world. 

So, with all this fun behind me, I will get my computer stuff doe and turn in so I can really hook away tomorrow. Orders for the shop to finish and new patterns to try out. Maybe I can get a yarn run to Joanns in the game plan, I got a coupon in the mail.

Inspiration

After having been away from the Etsy shop for a few months it has been an adjustment getting back in gear and crocheting while working on online classes and then my visits with the boys.  Maybe I am just beyond such multitasking .  Even though I did manage to get some new items listed and made some great sales. The inspiration for these adorable drivers hat outfits is my Great Grandson Carsen, he loves hats and looked like this hat was just made for him.

After seeing him in this I set out to make it for some little guys, a great item for photo shoots or just to dress up a little guy.

this is a customers photo from a newborn shoot. Just adorable.  Now I also have to start thinking Valentines Day and spring even though it is still quite chilly here. So on my list for the upcoming days are fluffy chicks and Drivers caps.  It is nice to be busy again and I love the feedback. I also am working on some doll clothes since I have two beautiful granddaughters who just got American Girl type dolls for Christmas. This is all fun, and a Granddaughter who has requested I work up a border collie hat for her. I will let you know how all that comes out. 

Off for some pancakes and housecleaning before I can work on my hats while my inspiration for these is playing The Rifleman, he just loves Chuck Connors and watches it daily. Bonanze, Gunsmoke and the Rifleman and his day is made. The good old days!

Very Busy

The past few weeks have been very busy here in our little neck of the woods. The recent addition of two cockapoo puppies, the two boys back almost full time and now last week right after visiting with the Easter Bunny the birth of five kittens. I see an ark in my future.

These are Bingo and Spot, 2 adorable puppies bought by the boys MOM, yet residing with us because, well she can't have them where she is now staying! Both kennel trained very easy and listen fairly well for being about two months old. The other dogs had a little getting used to but are fine with them now, in fact they keep the big dogs exercised.

then.... if that wasn't enough along came the kittens

There is of course a Dad cat also. 

Now to that mix add in two 17 year olds, a hubby, a 22 year old grandson and upstairs a daughter and her 13 year old son. Life is pretty full and busy.

So, with all this going on how do I keep my sanity ( hubby claims I don't ) and keep the stress levels down to keep my myastenia gravis in check.  

CROCHET 

Yes, that is my therapy!  In fact over the past few weeks I have had some really cute brainstorms. On a wish from a customer  I made a mermaid outfit. It turned out very cute and after seeing some other fun seaside type hats I came up with this adorable crab set   Then I thought ....crabs, beach, sand pails and came up with this crab hat .  Last night instead of sleeping ( I have a sore throat and just could not get comfortable) I came up with yet another that I hope to get done today. If my Gram could see me now... we used to say she could look at an item and make her own without a pattern. Of course all these silly hats and such were not what she would do, she made beautiful christening outfits, doilies and pinafores. The pinafores I have mastered but the others for right now are beyond me.

My Etsy shop has been very good this year and I am hoping to keep coming up with fun items that people can use for gifts or photo props. That makes my items sellable ( if that is even a word ) year round instead of them being winter hats and cold weather items. I hope shoppers think baby showers , Mother Day and more! 

My friend Jean owner of Teapot Quilt Cottage and The Garden Center in Montello, and I are also hosting a Coupon Clipping 101 Class

• •                               Wednesday, May 9, 2012
  • 1:00pm

• First National Bank Montello, Wi 408 Main Street

  
  This class is given by Dannelle Fraser Gay . She was able to save $40,000 in less than one year for a new house, and now teaches others how they too can save money with Coupon Clipping 101 and Meal Planning 101 Classes. Join us for what we hope is the first of many such classes. Seating is limited so please get your tickets in advance at The Garden Center 505 Main Street, Montello Tickets are $15.00 each and the proceeds will go to help stock the Marquette County Care and Share Food bank.

Well, I am off to put Curious George in the DVD player, do the morning dishes and then work on a hat. Have a great day!

Things Falling Into Place

Well, the big kids are back at school and I am finding ways to work around the little guys.  Going has been slow but I did find something fun for them to do this morning. A photo shoot for the new scarf I listed on Etsy.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/81369181/snake-scarf-kids?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=snake+scarf&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_ship_to=US&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

what a nice bunch of mug shots.  No, they were not forced to do this, not afraid of the Snake.  But the little guy is definitely planning something evil .  We have bread rising and my plan for dinner is chicken soup since the weather has cooled.  Kluski noodles from the Amish Store will make a nice addition. This weekend you can find me at Volkfest in Waupon having a great time.http://www.facebook.com/pages/Waupun-Volksfest/205501786163640 So, I am off to finish hats and tag some items for my table. All with the help of the little guys. 

If You Could See Me Now

What a sight , sipping coffee and doing the HAPPY dance. The two teens are at school.  Quiet at last. I am hoping to soak up all this calm and quiet. Maybe even get some work done. I have decided to schedule my time, between unpacking boxes, crocheting and the Internet. In hopes of getting so much more done now without interruption.
I just received another order for a turkey hat, last weeks hat was in school colors and turned out so cute. In checking the shop I found a photo of turkey hats sent out last fall for adults, take a look!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61539242/turkey-hat-teenadult

As the temperatures drop people begin thinking fall and Halloween so I have received a couple monster hat orders a pair of adult skunk hat orders for a photo shoot and a frog hat and sweater set.  Much to do but glad to see the orders arrive.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/80702670/monster-hat

http://www.etsy.com/listing/80397643/fox-hat

http://www.etsy.com/listing/80843594/skunk-hat

Also to celebrate I am baking this afternoon, I looked all over yesterday for an apple cake recipe and this is the one I am going with...

My first stop in looking for a recipe is Pioneer Woman Cooks and then off to Tasty Kitchen, so far they have never let me down.

http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/desserts/fall-spiced-apple-cake/

Fall Spiced Apple Cake 

Ingredients

• FOR THE CAKE:
• 1 cup Vegetable Oil (or Oil Of Choice)
• 1-½ cup Sugar
• ½ cups Brown Sugar
• 3 whole Eggs
• ¼ cups Milk
• 2-½ cups Self-Rising Flour
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoons Nutmeg
• 2 cups Peeled And Chopped Apples (3-4 Apples)
• 1 cup Chopped Pecans
• _____
• FOR THE GLAZE:
• ½ cups Brown Sugar
• ½ sticks Butter
• ½ cups Milk

• Preparation Instructions

  Preheat oven to 350F.
  Using an electric mixer on low speed, combine oil, sugar, brown sugar, eggs and milk. Sift together flour, cinnamon and nutmeg. Gradually blend creamy mixture with dry mixture. Add chopped apples and pecans.
  Grease and lightly flour a Bundt pan. Pour batter into pan and bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of cake comes out clean. Cool.
  In saucepan, combine all ingredients for glaze. Cook over low-medium heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture is smooth (it will be liquidy). Drizzle over cooled cake (or warm if you can’t wait that long).

Spring Green in Wisconsin/Etsy Treasury

'Spring Green' by Grammasgifts

Green seems to be sprouting up even through our new fallen snow in Wisconsin. All items made in Wisconsin

Prima - Celebrations Br... layoutsfromthe... $1.49	Therapeutic Neck Shoul... ComfyCreations $20.95
Breath of Spring Lime G... CarolsJewelryO... $18.00	Vintage 2T Unisex Overa... thefancytail $8.00
Hair Bow clippie - scul... twinkletoesrnb $5.00	Over the Shoulder Turqu... darlingdaisy24... $45.00
HOBO Tote Purse Sling B... Antiquebasketl... $43.00	2 Hanging Crochet Top D... TotallyTowels $6.50
Peace Love and Rainbows... Quiltville $120.00	Seaweed Single handspun... WhimzyPinzy $24.99
Gnome door Fairy Door banished $12.00	Bird in a Cage Mug jennyblasenpot... $18.00
Pretty Clip Line LittleDande $12.00	Pink Frog Quilt KimsCraftyAppl... $50.00
Matching Big Sister Lit... BananaPickleDe... $20.00	Frogette hat for baby t... Grammasgifts $11.95

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.