Back again!

Quite  a long time since my last post.  Years?........... but I guess this time of year makes me want to blog again.  Been busy with all sorts of things.  Art wise I've been creating Mandalas, which, like crochet is very soothing and therapeutic!  Also, busy with my crochet students at the center.  From the germ of an idea about, wouldn't it be fun to start a needlework group, to currently about 16 crazy gals!  It's really kind of amazing to set a goal, Because just writing it down can make it come to fruition!  Anyway, here are some of this years fun projects:

Some little things I'm busy with.........

I'm busy reading all of the blogs I follow, and getting lots of color inspiration for the new year to come. Amazing how many ladies out there combine drawing, painting, crochet, sewing and all kinds of crafty things, onto their inspiring blogs. What an incredible amount of quiet brillirance is out there in blogland! This sort of thing would have colored my world so beautifuly when my daughters were little and my brains were oatmeal. I can see how many mommies carve out a few precious crafting moments whenever they can, and how it renews their soul.

I teach seniors at our local center to draw, and we have also started a wonderful knit/crochet/embroidery(any handwork really) group that's proven to be a winner of a class.

Today we are all snowbound, but I have been working on a butterfly drawing that I started in class yesterday, and I must say, I can see these drawings taking up a good bit of my time, for many days to come. Also want to get some dragonflies in there too.

The purse was a blast to complete. This one is made of Senso thread and the pattern is one of Inga Joana Mertens, that I came across on Ravelry I think....... Anyway it's free and very fun to make. I hadn't done much with all of the Senso I ordered last year from Joann's, and this was a super project for it.

Hubby is out snowplowing, home from work early because the city is pretty much coming to a standstill, due to snow. I worried about him making it home safely, because we live far out of town and things can get a bit hairy. But he's good on snowpacked roads, so he's home nice and safe.

Bye for now!

Summer in Winter

Here's a tote I made, and the colors are perky for this time of year! All cotton. Pattern from Lucy at Attic24, the best crochet blog ever! It's a really big bag, perfect for a market tote.

Country goes to the City

Believe it or not, this once almost agoraphobic granny has finally tested the limits of her own fears and frets, and gone to NYC for a week! I know, it's much safer to stay home and crochet, but 57 must be the magic year for finding my inner bravery resources!!! So we did a bazillion things and saw pretty much everything, thanks to our Zanny tourguide, my brother in law. You name it, we saw it. I've never walked so much in my life, mostly to catch subways or walk 6 blocks home from them. 6 blocks you say, not very far. Have you ever walked 6 blocks in NYC???? Enough said.



I was so proud of the fact that :

a). I didn't freak out in the crowds

b). I didn't freak out underground

c). I didn't freak out in between tall buildings with only a bit of blue sky above

d). I learned how to quit saying "excuse me" or "sorry" when I bumped into people, because there was so much humanity, they didn't even notice

e). I could say no very firmly to all of the street vendors that were trying to shove pamphlets and such into my hand

f). I could pee in unfamiliar bathrooms

g). I stopped trying to make eye contact and smile at every person on the street and just became anonymous and trooped along. I didn't even have to be pleasant.



Always so nice to learn a bit about yourself and realize you are stronger, calmer and steadier than you ever knew!





Anyway, these are some of the pictures I took, not the typical Statue of liberty ones, but just tiny glimpses into the amazing world of NYC.

Aspen Loop Trail

This past weekend we went up to Colorado and did a great 4wheeler trip. 7 hours of bumping along, and did we ever see some pretty sights. The aspen are just starting to turn. Fun day and good friends!

Working with Color

I find that the paint samples at Lowe's are a great way to play with color. Go grab a bunch and cut out the chips. Then make combinations that please you and go get yarn to match! The great thing is, they have already put some colors together inside the folders, and I have seen combinations I never would have thought of.

The African flowers are coming along. I can tell I don't have a plan yet, but am just going crazy with the colors. I'm going to be making a purse eventually, but for now, just playing around is too much fun to stop!

No posting in a month and a half???? What's up with that?

Gosh, so long since i've posted. Been kinda exciting around here though. Been a little busy on the home front. We came home from camping overnight in Colorado, and look what we found... downstairs flooded from a broken water heater. Since then I've had 4 different folks tell me they ALWAYS turn off their water heater if they are going to be gone longer than 24 hours. Why didn't you guys tell me that sooner? Must I always learn everything the hard way???

Any way, long story short, we have $20,000 of ruined red oak flooring and kitchen tile. SO I went down and picked out an indestructible flooring, meant for hotel lobbies and bus terminals (no, not really, but sort of). With all of the dirt, grim, sand and rocks, dog feet and muddy irrigation boots, I've given up on cutsey shabby chic and gone to industrial strength flooring to meet our needs. When the puppy gets housebroken and the irrigation season is over, I may live dangerously and put down a few throw rugs, but for now it will be no nonsense flooring. As for crochet, I'm getting back to it with some fantastic African flowers, which I will be showing off really soon. Fun to make and very versital. HOpe everyonw has been having a fun and otherwise dry summer.

Summertime

Here's a view from my front porch at evening time. These baskets have been so pretty this year. I got them for the family reunion I had in June, and they have really gone to town. I have to be very diligent about watering, because in this climate (high desert) they dry out fast. But it's a pleasant daily chore.

Little feet around the house again...

Want to get some exercise? Try a puppy! My exercise level has gone way up, and it's like I have a new baby in the house. Rosie is now 11 weeks old. She's a cockapoo and I just love her to pieces. A bit demanding, but the hugs and kisses make up for everything. Housetraining isn't going too well, but I've decided to be patient. It will happen. We have a border collie named Annie, but she's pretty much my husband's doggie. I wanted a cuddler and a buddy too. Well, I got one! Too cute!

Back to the drawing board....

This week I went back to my teaching job at our Senior Center. I had previously done it for 9 1/2 years. I took some time off and suddenly, I'm in the mood to start again. This was my first lesson, I taught on Tuesday. In order to draw the picture in color, one first needs to see it in your mind, in black and white. Just look at the array of values! Who would have thought there were that many in that little picture? To see the values in a color picture, just squint your eyes. I even do that with my crochet. Are the values pleasing to me? (most of the time). If you are drawing something, in color OR black and white, remember your values!

Lady's Bucket Hat

This is a fun little hat to keep the head covered on sunny days. The flowers add a unique touch of style. Can make up in any color combination! $20 ladunn@q.net

The bucket hat!

Here is a cute little hat for summertime. It's for little noggins out in the sun, for fishing, bike riding or whatever. The pattern is from the Hookaholic yarn design studio (www.hookaholic.etsy.com). It's a Stephanie Oltmann design. This little cap is perfect for outdoor sun protection, I can make it in any color you would like, infant to adult, boys or girls. Cotton yarn. $15 @ ladunn@q.com

A bit of porchy fun...

Since the family reunion is over, I decided to move all of my porch fru-fru to an area where we can enjoy it. So I moved it by our chairs, where we do our sunset watching. All of these things were found at little junk shops on a fun day I spent with my dear friend Kathy. I especially love the mop bucket. My daughter Looked at that and said, " What in the world is that?". Poor child, she had never seen such a contraption. "That, my Swiffer-brained child, is a mop bucket with a wringer-outer thingy." But I had such fun arranging and rearranging my bits and bobs, as Lucy says in Attic24. Cheerio!

In the beginning........

Well, this is where it all started. The year was 1974, and we were stationed at Ft. Ord, CA. A nice army post, but Steve had to work about 150 miles away, so I basically only saw him on weekends. So my little baby girl and I had a lot of time on our hands. Peter Max was very popular right then, and this crochet book caught my eye. Also, the Sunset book on Crochet (check the price!). My first crochet project was and intricate spider web shawl. Of course that would be someting I would pick! Not knowing a thing about crochet, I attempted something way out of my league. I did finish it, and it came out fine. I learned a lot and made many mistakes, but it started a love of crochet that's lasted all these years. Some of the Peter Max stuff is even back in fashion now! Such humble beginnings!

A Small Request

Okay, I have things to do and places to go, but how does a Grammy turn down a request from a two and a half year old for a blankie? Answer, she doesn't. All life as we know it has come to a screeching halt while I churn out a blankie for Molly. She had very specific instructions. It is to be yellow and happy. So I got some Vanna Baby yarn and am making the brightest, most gaudy blankie I can, to suit her taste! It's making up really fast and is quite fun actually. This pattern is from Lion Brand Free patterns and I am really having fun with it. I think all the grandkids need a new blankie and will probably get busy on them for Xmas. These are the memories we just can't be too busy for!

Summer Morning

It's so nice to take a few moments in the morning and just take in the sights and smells of the country. Listen to the birds and take a stroll with the doggie. I'm really more of a fall and winter person (probably because the things I love are more inside things), but summer mornings are quite delicious too.

Knit and Crochet club

I've been dying to start a local knit and crochet club. I'll only be doing the crochet part, unless some brave soul decides she can teach me to knit. I couldn't think of anything more fun (besides grandkids, of course) than getting together with a group of like minded friends and chatting and working together. I can see charity projects and good times, and of course good munchies. If anyone is in the 4 corners area and is interested in forming a group, send me an e-mail, okay? ladunn@q.com


I would love to hear from you and see if we can't get something started!

Back To Crocheting!

Okay, the Family reunion is over and after sleeping for three days, I'm back to my work of crochet. I will think twice before commiting to feed and entertain 37 people for 4 days. Oksy, so I have to learn things the hard way! Next year I suggested we all take our trailers and meet at a KOA. Then we can each prepare a meal! Anyhoo, I just finished this basket last night. It was a freebie pattern at Hobby Lobby and I really liked working with the chunky yarn. It made up in two sittings. If you want the pattern I'll get it to you. I think these baskets would make super Xmas gifts, filled with homemade goodies. And of course I loved the red yarn, because it goes with my kitchen.

Little Pot of Flowers

Just finished this up today. Been working on it for a while. Pattern is from Lion Brand Yarn and a freebie to boot! It's not very big, about 4 inches tall. This is actually a plant I can't kill! Bonus!

Finally Finished

This drawing has been a constant friend for about 8 months! An hour here or there, sometimes three. It's a surprise for my cousin for being such a lovely person and pal. This is what I see when I think of her. She loves sunflowers and has them in her house everywhere. In her paintings, and in vases! This is a thank you for the beautiful windchimes she sent me.