A Quick Gift

A couple of last minute gifts...

Mitered dishcloth pattern found here.

Shell edge instruction found here.

Sometimes these are nice with a treat hidden inside of them.

Happy Holidays to you all!

Granny Rose Afghan by "MM"

I am so excited to share with you a fabulous granny rose afghan made by

my very kind cyber friend and Etsy shop patron:

(The pattern can be found by clicking here.)

"MM" and her afghan are both beautiful.

The colors go so well together.

Pure pretty!

I wish I could describe the joy that I feel

when someone sends me a photo and message in regards

to their amazing project of love.

Thank you "MM"!

If you have made one of my projects and would like me

to feature it on my blog, please email me:

astri.bowlin@gmail.com

I would be honored to do so!

Kitchen Kat from Domi

I won a contest and this was the prize:

How cute is this!

I love kitties!

 My kind blogging friend, Domi, sent this:

 It's the main colors of our home. 

Seems like life has become too busy and I don't get around 

to checking on my favorite blogs anymore,

especially with going back to work full-time plus lately!

I suppose it will slow down in five years. ;-)

If you have time, please check out what good Domi is up to in France.

Click here for her blog and all the wonderful things she makes!

Thank you so much Domi!

Rainy Day Chair-and-a-Half Part III

The back cushion is complete:

It's the back of cushion for this chair:

See previous posts for more information on this fabulous chair,
and the pattern that was used and the plans for the rest of the chair:

Part I
Part II

48 squares,

 joined in white with the "join-as-you-go" method.

(This shot looks a little weird, but that's how it goes sometimes. :-) )

White heart buttons were placed here:

For an easy enclosure, tfor ease in removal for washing. 

(White gets dirty around here.)

And this is how it fits on the chair so far...

...and the this is how it looks sitting on the wicker bench,

 under the vintage photos of myself and the NVO as children. :-)

Can you guess what's inside that bench??? ;-)

A Wrist Wrapped In Love

My good blogging friend Kim has opened a Etsy shop.

I ordered a bracelet for a Christmas gift from her shop

(it can't be shown on this post, as the recipient reads this blog);

however, sweet Kim included this incredible bracelet, as a gift, for me!

 I love it!

See her fabulous shop, Snug Harbor Bay, by clicking here. 

 I've worn it every day since it arrived. :-)

 Thank you Kim!

(See this post for more info on the crocheted apple blossoms and where 

to find the free pattern.)

Rainy Day Chair-and-a-Half Part II

This will be the second of many updates on the 

Rainy Day Chair-and-a-Half.

The updates will likely span over a long time since this

is the biggest crochet project ever. ;-)

What am I doing you wonder?

Well, get a load of this...

I hope to recover the entire Rainy Day Chair-and-a Half in

Attic 24's Summer Garden Granny Squares!

Here's the "BEFORE" of the free rainy-day chair:

So far, just the back pillow will take 48 squares!

Crochet Details and Yarn:

The first five rows are all different combinations of color,

the sixth row and joining row is white.

In other words...

after the first two rows that form a circle, there are

four granny rows with the last one in white on all squares,

then they are joined with the join-as-you-go procedure in white, as well.

I'm using a "G" (4.25 mm) hook

and Stylecraft Special DK yarn,

purchased via www.Deramores.com.

This is pretty much a stash-buster with more white yarn on it's way.

I think the colors that I used are:

Cloud Blue

Aster

Denim

Duck Egg

Storm Blue

Royal

Lipstick

Matador

Meadow

Khaki

Bottle

Sunshine

Citron

Turquoise

Aspen

Sherbet

Petrol

"Storm Blue" and "Duck Egg" arrived after I finished the 48 squares for the back cushion,

they are new colors to the Stylecraft Special DK line,

and I will incorporate them into the next set of squares.

Also, "Bottle" was not added until after these 48 squares.

I thought about using more "Denim" and/or "Duck Egg" colored yarn, 

since the chair is pretty close to those colors,

and I'm still thinking about it...maybe on the seat cushion?

I don't know what to do, I'm liking the lightness of the white. 

Decisions, decisions!

What do you think?

Rainy Day Chair-and-a-Half Part I

The Story of a Chair-and-a-Half

This chair was on a neighbors lawn....in the rain...with this sign on it!

 The NVO thinks I have gone and lost it. 

(The plot that is! That's for you Linda!)

Finally that old truck we purchased came in handy. ;-)

The next day it did not rain so I took it apart and

washed the covers in the washing machine,

dried them at the fireplace,

 scrubbed the main part of the chair outside with the hose, a bucket of hot soapy water

and check it out:

It's been draped with the Daisy Blanket from this post.

But these are not the final plans for this chair.

Stay tuned for the biggest crochet project ever!

Can you guess what that might be?

(No roses involved.)

This makes me so happy!!!

 Thank you dear neighbor people!

Summer Leftovers

Goodbye Summer leftovers!

I think you will be leaving us this week.

Thank you for the joy you brought.

Until next year...

The Best Shrimp and Grits Ever!

Deluxe Dining at Home:

 Shrimp and Grits and Beignets!

Always fun to make something when you don't have to run to the store for something.

I lucked out on this one and had all the ingredients.

Want to make this Loiusianna specialty?

The recipe can be found here:

Mmmmmmmm...

Meadow Larksfoot Inifinity Scarf in Purples

I needed a scarf to coordinate with my purple boots, of course.

So I made one!

Here's what the outside looks like:

 Here's what the inside looks like:

It's the Meadow Larksfoot Scarf Pattern

that can be purchased here.

It's really fun to make.

Except the ends....

But once they're taken care of, then it's all good!

Yarn is Stylecraft Special DK in:

Khaki

Meadow

Plum

Parma Violet

Clematis

Grape

Emperor

Silver

Gray

A shell border was added:

*4 dc in one, skip one and a sc in next, skip one*, repeat form * to *

Pretty darn fun for fall!

And now I can frolic in the Autumn mist in

a coordinating scarf, and that makes me happy!

I hope you have a scarf that makes you happy too!