Roasted Vegetable Pizza

When an abundance of squash is on hand, this is a good pizza to make!  On a particularly busy afternoon, hubby and I cooked up this pizza and enjoyed it for lunch which prompted me to write down the recipe last summer.  I hope you enjoy it.  

Pretty Fans Baby Blanket

Work up a pretty baby blanket using fans and V-sts for beauty and texture. With instructions you can make this blanket wider and longer if desired.  Or else make a lap-ghan.  Worked with two strands of yarn held together. 

Kaleidoscope Hot Pads

Work up these fun hot pads where chain stitches are pulled up and through the preceding chain space creating an intricate design! 

Orange Pecan French Toast

Saturday mornings are the best days for us to have a nice breakfast or brunch.  You can relax, take your time and if it's a beautiful day, eat outside soaking up the sunshine and fresh air. 

This Saturday we decided on Orange Pecan French Toast for breakfast.  We sipped hot coffee and talked about going to our grandson's baseball game while I beat the eggs until frothy.  As hubby got out the bacon and lined them up on a foil wrapped pan to cook outside on the grill, I added milk, orange zest, orange liquor, and a pinch of salt to the beaten eggs.  Once the bacon was sizzling outside, I dipped fresh egg-rich bread in the egg batter until saturated and placed them on a griddle where melted butter sizzled.    The orange zest was fragrant causing my mouth to water in anticipation of this delight.  While the French toast cooked, I toasted up some chopped pecans to serve over the top with butter and syrup.

Safari Park Birthday

• The mission:  To celebrate our daughter's birthday

• The date:  April 9th, 2014

• The place:  Wild Safari Park, San Diego, CA

• The time:  Early - if possible

• Ultimate goal:  To spend time with our daughter and grandson! 

Spring at the Safari Park is wonderful!  Not only are the animals au-natural… and you get to see a wide variety of new babies, but the temperature is just about perfect!  

And the butterfly exhibit - Nick, our grandson wore a bright colored shirt and he had butterflies lighting on him to the point - he was a bit freaked out!  Hey, come on - who wouldn't be.  You think "oh how darling…" to "get them off me NOW!"  Well at least if you're 8 years old… 

 And here - a close up of one of the many beautiful butterflies at the exhibit!  

We had a wonderful time celebrating our daughter's 38th birthday and I'm still wondering how she's managing to catch up with me on age, but that's a whole other story.  It's always fun being with Nick and let me tell you - he's all boy!  Between he and I, we can gross mom out pretty darn quick if our mind's set to it.  :-) 

And as you can see, the apple hasn't fallen very far from the tree!  

And here's a picture of one of the gorillas with baby in tow.  Told you there were babies! 

Selling through Craftsy!

How to Add & Sell a Pattern on Craftsy!

(This post contains affiliate links which means I will be compensated if you purchase after clicking these links.)

In addition to wonderful online courses and craft supplies, Craftsy also has an independent online pattern store that lets anyone upload and sell downloadable e-patterns with no fee!

How do you add a pattern to Craftsy and start your pattern store? It’s easy!

1. Make sure you have a Paypal account. All pattern transactions happen through Paypal, and Craftsy requires that you have a Student, Premier, or Business account in order to sell patterns.
2. Put your pattern in .pdf format. You can’t upload any patterns to the online pattern store unless they’re a .pdf file format, so if they’re currently saved as a Word doc, .jpg, or other file format, you must convert it to a .pdf before you upload it to Craftsy.
3. Include a photo. All patterns must have at least one photo to accompany them, but you can add up to five photos. Colorful, interesting photos tend to work the best for catching our members’ eyes!
4. Fill out the pattern description. We will ask you some basic questions around your pattern making it easier for Craftsy folk to find your pattern and know what your pattern is for. Make sure you have info about your pattern handy for this step.

For more information on how to sell a pattern through Craftsy, or to get started, visit Craftsy today!

Spring Crochet Patterns for Sale!

Our Easter Basket Doily is available for purchase on Etsy!

Six lovely crochet baskets are worked with dainty three-dimensional butterflies between that encircle a delicate rose doily center.  Bright flowers spill out from the basket  tops creating a masterpiece mom or someone special will love!  Worked in size 10 thread, it measures 15 1/4-in in dia.  

Our Hummingbird Garden Doily is also available for purchase on Etsy.

Crochet a mystical garden where a large three-dimensional rose sets center stage for hummingbirds and flowering vines.  Pineapples, shells, and color burst forth in this spring/Easter doily that will bring a breath of fresh air to your home.  #10 thread, measures 17-in W x 8 3/4-in H.

Free Pattern - Pineapple Spring Delight Doily

Our petite pineapple spring doily is fun to work up in a jiffy!  Dainty pineapples and lots of shells are sure to please.

Click here for the pattern.

Free CAL - Shaded Lace Points Doily

We're doing a new Crochet-a-Long doily!  For a limited time only, after the final installment of instructions is delivered, this pattern is free.  Shortly after though, this pattern will no longer be available.  Sign up today for email alerts for when the next section is delivered! 

Click here for installment 1.

Free Pattern - Flower Power Coaster

 

Our fun crochet "Flower Power" coaster is a must for flower lovers. Simple to work up with easy stitches for a fun and quick piece. 

Click here for the pattern.

Free Pattern - Butterfly Bookmark

Our pretty crochet pineapple butterfly bookmark is fun to work up and simpler than you might think! Complete with tassel it'll make a nice gift paired with a crochet book, or novel, or included in a gift basket!  

Click here for the pattern.

Ten Random Things you Never Knew About Me.

1:  I don't have a favorite color - I love most colors 

if paired with another color or colors well. However,
I do lean towards blues, greens and earth tones.  I  
also don't have a favorite style, but am considered
eclectic.  

2: I love antiques and old things, especially with family ties and stories attached.  In fact, the picture of this phone is exactly like one we have, partially restored from the oil fields of Southern California.  

3:  I LOVE to READ!  Give me a book and you're apt to lose me for hours at a time while I traverse another world and sometimes another "time."  

4:   I'm a somewhat  a  

Yep, you're looking at a person who will sometimes refold the bottom fitted sheet several times so it looks nice in my linen closet, or continue to stack the pillows on my bed, just so-so - even when I know, no one will SEE!  I've been known to stack the silverware in rows, turn the labels so they show at a glance and rearrange drawers for no reason, other than perfecting the way they look so I can admire them.  It's a personal nonsensical gratification.  Go figure!  

5: I enjoy gardening, but mostly I love herb gardening and cacti.  Roses are pretty and to be admired, but give me herbs and a cactus any day of the week.  For the flowers; carnations are my favorite in all colors!    

 6: I hate dolls.  I don’t like looking at them, I won't touch them, dislike the way they look and hate the way they smell - have been since I was too little to remember why!  I guess it's a mysterious phobia, but for this reason you won't see me designing a doll dress - sorry!  

7: I hate buttons.  Don't ask me why - I never have liked them and as a teen and adult refuse to wear them.  All my blouses are ones you slip over your head.  My sweaters don't have buttons, my pants don't have buttons - even on the inside…. nope, no buttons. It's a mystery too and now you're probably wondering exactly what happened in my young life that caused such mysterious phobias... 

 8: I don't like anything around my neck.  Think it was because I was choked by a cousin when I was too little to remember.  I don't wear turtlenecks, I don't wear chokers, I don't wear anything even remotely close to my neck.  I have a problem with swallowing and as a result trips to the dentist can be a nightmare.  So the mystery continues... I promise this is the end of my "hang ups"  - Really! 

That being said, you can imagine the problems I have in buying clothes - nothing around my neck and no buttons....

 9: I love pets, especially dogs!  The picture here is of Allie May who is no longer with us, but Chance, on the right is as sweet as ever.  I have more pictures on Facebook of Charley and Chance.  All three, rescue dogs who have brought us sheer joy!  

10:  Least but not last, I'm married to my high school sweetheart and we're working on 42 years of marriage after being engaged for a year and "going steady" for 1 1/2 years before that.  Going steady - hmmmm, just what do they call that now?  It sounds "dated…"  what a play on words huh?   To the right is a picture of hubby when our grandson Nick was born 8 years ago.  Sweet yeah? 

So there you have it... not that you asked.  Quirks and all, this is what makes me.... well, me!    


Here are the sites of my friends who inspired this post!

1. Lorene of Cre8tion Crochet
2. Sedie of Yarn Obsession 
3. Corina of Stitch 11
4. Rebeckah of Rebeckah’s Treasures
5. Kim of Wips 'N Chains
6. Celina of Simply Collectible
7. Sara of Posh Pooch Designs
8. Patrice of Yarn Over, Pull Through
9. Sarah from Posh Pooch Designs

 

Free Pattern - Forget-Me-Not-Scarf

Our fun and easy scarf was originally designed using TLC Macaroon - creating a lovely scarf whether its for work or fun. A recommended substitute for this yarn is Red Heart Light & Lofty.  However using a substitute may result in a need to change hook sizes and adjustments may be needed.  

Click here for the pattern.

Crocheting Blues…

We all are associated with pattern "sharing" in one form or another.  Before the internet - isn't that like saying "pre-historic?"  Well before every household in America had a computer and on the internet, pattern sharing consisted of taking a crochet pattern you had and sharing with a neighbor, or perhaps a family member.  No big deal; right?  Right!  

I think every industry has included within their budget an allowance for petty theft.  And basically, whenever you share a pattern that means the person you're sharing with doesn't have to pay for their copy, which in turn means the designer doesn't get paid for that "copy."  

Fast forward to every person having a computer, or some form of modern technology that enables them to connect to the world at large and they belong to a sharing group.  No big deal right? Wrong! 

This now means when you share a pattern with a group - maybe consisting of 200 members... the designer is not being paid by each member of that group, for that pattern, by 200 times!  And worse, many of these members are part of other pattern sharing groups that consist of 100 to 500 members.    Do you see how this minor infraction can grow from petty to grand theft with just a few key strokes? 

My mind boggles under the weight and gravity of what pattern sharing is doing to the industry at large.  I know what's its done to my little corner of the internet world.  It's brought my designing almost to a halt at times.  Like many designers, I love what I do, but it's not just a hobby, it's my life, it's how I make a living.  

If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/williamsha139190.html#xRvfWXHbV6ym3Evv.99

If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/williamsha139190.html#xRvfWXHbV6ym3Evv.99

If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/williamsha139190.html#xRvfWXHbV6ym3Evv.99

If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?

William Shakespeare

Here's a poem I wrote back on September 1, 2011. 

Crocheting Blues…

 

My eyes were dazzled my hands were twitching
I saw a new pattern so cute and bewitching;
I wanted to grab my hook and crochet
But the cost of the pattern – no way!

The price for patterns is over the top
It starts with a computer or a mere laptop
Then you need a printer for patterns to print
And an ISP that you basically rent

Add in toner, you always need ink…
Paper and yarn or thread I think
I now can’t afford the patterns to pay
Pattern sharing groups are the only way

Patterns for you and patterns for me
Gifts for the home or holiday spree
You only pay once and share with all
The price for patterns isn’t bad a’ tall!

Now you can afford the patterns you steal
And it’s really not a big deal…
The price for patterns is way to steep
And designers don’t need pay for their keep.

Please stop and share the URL where you got your pattern and NOT the pattern itself.  Support your favorite designer!  

Free Pattern - Pineapple Swan Fridgie

With Mother's Day around the corner, now's a great time to work up a beautiful swan fridgie that she's sure to love.  Graceful and elegant, but there's more, Patricia Mae improves the beak on this swan and shares 4 pictures showing the slight changes and improvements. 

Pattern Stitch: The Diagonal Stitch / Slant Stitch

The Diagonal Stitch / Slant Stitch:

Why some stitches have more than one name is something I can't answer.  But the diagonal stitch should not be confused with "crocheting on the diagonal" which is a method of working a project from corner to corner.

A slant stitch or diagonal stitch is used in conjunction with a crochet grouping of stitches and can be varied by as few or as many stitches as indicated by pattern instructions as well as different types of stitches, such as double crochet or triple crochet stitches.  

Substitutions and Omissions

The recipe, one from an "old" Reader's Digest.   
The main ingredient; tuna.   
The theme; Polynesian.   
The job; creating dinner with what I had on hand. 

Okay, I have to say; even though I've tried this recipe now, I really haven't tried this recipe YET! 

I substituted sour cream for yogurt, bottled lime juice for fresh, Dijon mustard for the mustard seed, cubed cantaloupe for the papaya, fresh tuna for the canned, whole egg for the egg substitute, parsley for the cilantro, and finally, but not least, chives for the scallions.  Oh, and I omitted the chopped sweet red pepper.  I simply didn't have that color or any other color of pepper on hand! 

I have to say, given all that, these tuna cakes were still pretty good.  About the only thing I'd change to make this a keeper recipe - I would go ahead and use papaya over the cantaloupe simply because it's a softer fruit, but that's the only reason. 

If you'd like the recipe for Tuna Cakes with Ginger Dressing and Cantaloupe Salsa.....

Free Pattern - Bunny Door Knob Cover

Delight your child by working up a door knob for their bedroom - for Easter!  Or, these are ideally suited as egg covers too.  Insert a real egg or plastic egg with little treasures inside.  They're perfect for Easter baskets too! 

Click here for the pattern.

Gorgonzola and Bacon Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

You know dinner's ready when the smoke alarms go off!  Right?

The complete meal with whistles and bells?  All the bells or alarms, all over the house, all screaming for attention...just roast the pork at 450 degrees and try baking the corn muffins at what should be baked at 350 degrees.  Yep, not a good idea. After adjustments; bake the pork at 400 degrees and use a double oven for the corn muffins, should you have them with your dinner, at the appropriate temperature!

But all in all, it turned out to be delicious and something I think you might enjoy!  

Free Pattern - Easter Bunny Fridgie

Work up several of these cute bunnies for your fridge!  Create bunny pins by working in thread to hand out Easter Sunday. 

Click here for the pattern.

Free Pattern - Lacy Bookmark

Work up this lacy and airy crochet bookmark for spring.   Basic crochet stitches are all that's needed! Pair with a book for Easter or Mother's Day.   Work in a variety of colors and keep on hand for gift giving.  

Click here for the pattern.

Easter Basket Doily

My new Easter/spring/Mother's Day doily is ready!  It's been such fun in designing this pattern.  What started out was having the baskets inverted; so the handles were to the center.  My thought was to have the handles looped providing a unique design in and of itself.  But I think that's a project for another day.  I found these sized baskets were just too large and left too much space between to make it a nice sized doily. 

It looks like my next project will be another doily with smaller baskets.  I wonder it it'll work?  

View the details and other images of our Easter Basket Doily.  

 

Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

You know the distinct sound of a hummer and you freeze thinking they're going to bury that long beak into your scalp!  And then they fly right past leaving you in awe of their delicate frame and speed!  They're fascinating to watch which is probably why so many of us put out feeders or plant shrubs and flowers that attract them! 

So it was with fanfare and excitement to discover, right outside my kitchen window, a hummingbird nest!   I just love watching new mamas tend to their nest.  Spring is definitely in the air.  But once the hummers leave home, and as the warm weather turns hot, you'll be thinking of the long lost days of spring.

Well it doesn't have to be that way.  Keep spring alive by working up our Hummingbird doily!  The hummers and pretty flowers will say spring all year long - or as long as you want anyway!  

 Click here for our Hummingbird Garden Doily

Free Pattern - Lace Egg Basket

Work up several of these cute egg baskets to hang from a small holiday tree or work up as a molded basket to hold candies, or real Easter eggs!  

Click here for the pattern.