Back on-line from hurricane.

I am going to ramble a bit so be patient.

It is 5:29, Wednesday, August 31, 2005. i just got my power back on 2 hours ago. I am in Mobile Alabama and have lived through Hurricane Katrina.

The storm didn't seem that bad here, but I slept through a bit of it. But then I saw the pictures of the shrimp boats pushed hundreds of yards on land, the Island is almost gone and I can't even comprehend what is happening to my New Orleans.

My heart is broken over Louisiana. I lived in New orleans when I was 17 until I was 21 or so, I lived there after running away from an abusive home life and she embraced me with no judgement. She sustained me, nurtured me, grew me up. She taught me some of the most valuable lessons I will ever know in my life and she loved me. I loved her back. I cannot tell you what that city meant to me at that time in my life. It was such a turning point, and I will never forget the nights in the bayous, sitting at porclean kitchen tables playing cards and drinking. No noise, just quiet sounds of bayou creatures, the slamming of a screen door when a friend or relative came in, the creak of boards in the floor, laughter and cajun accents.

I didn't realize when I was there what it would mean to me later in life, or how many times I would think of those times. I have traveled the Quarter a thousand times, have cried by the Mississippi River at night over some stupid boy, crept through the bayous with the leave of those kind people by the way of their friends who were also mine. I have learned the ways of times past from their old people who lived off the land. I as taken in by these people, when I was broken and lost and kept alive by their watchfulness and love. I took on their lives and was one of their own. And I loved every moment of it, bare-foot and scratching mosqito bites. tanned and too skinny. The days running thru the Quarter, tipping back in chairs while the sun set, drinking and betting. The hot nights, and the damp cold of the winters there, with fires in fireplaces and old tales told over chicory coffee.I never knew what I had till I moved back to Mobile.

The people in New Orleans, the people who have lived there for years and generations are not the people you usually see on T>v, or in some elegant hotel. They are the heart and soul of the place, the breath and blood. I can't tell you how much I love the city and the surrounding parishes, the Irish Channel, Grand Isle, Algiers, the good and the bad. I can't believe what has happened there. I will have to let it sink in for a while, to realize that my grandchild will not have the chance to know the New Orleans I knew, to go back with me to the bayous and quiet, mossy wet places and let me teach her what I was taught. She'll never see the old churches, the ancient houses, or know the calm and content of the Quarter and the surrounding marshy places. She'll never know the mystery and the taboo-ness of the knowledge of things that can only be learned from it being handed down to you.

My heart is broken forLouisiana tonight. And it will be for a very long time

It's getting a little windy....

Really gusty now, and it's gonna get worse. I'm in Mobile, Alabama, for those who don't know. Gettting some pics, but power is blinking now. Will blog as much as possible. Just heard there are two holes in the superdome

WHILE THE POWER IS STILL ON....

We are o.k., it's almost 8:30 a. m., gonna do this in small segments because of power blinking

Christening gown

I am still looking for a christening gown. I am trying to work out a pattern of my own, but not too successful. Would be willing to buy, if needed, if pretty and well-written. But of course, would prefer a free one! LOL!

My daughter Rachael and her fiancee, Kyle.

HURRICANE!!!!

Well, here we go again. My beloved New Orleans is right in the middle of harm's way. I fear it will be gone when this is over. Pray for all of us.

Anyway, sorry I haven't up-dated lately. I went to work, 10 hours a day, new job last Saturday, the day after the 'wedding". Yesterday was my first day off, and here is this stupid storm. I will try and at least get pics of the bride and groom up before the storm.

I went to Michael's and got some Lion Brand Jiffy in a deep green and cream for a little blanket to work on. I am going to get some smaller projects lined up before the power goes off.

Please keep us in mind, we'll need it.

Left is the close-up of the last row of edging I have to complete tonight, the other view is of the edging that is there now. I will be putting up wedding pics tomorrow and you can see the whole outfit together.

Another view of this shawl.

I was trying to show the true colours of the shawl with the dress, and this late at night, I have no good light, even with the flash. But maybe you can get an idea.

ALMOST THRU!!!

O.K., I have made an open pattern, simple DC triangle shawl with shell edging. I have two more rows to put on the bottom and I will post pics! I also found my pearls, so I guess I am going to be a genuine "Southern lady" tomorrow! Whatta change! Post pics soon.

THANKS for all the responses to my dress question! I favor the blue, longer one too but just didn't want to be too "too", you know. But that's the one.

Thanks for all the well wishes and y'all are the sweetest people!

And here's the yarn...

O.K., here's the deal. My dear son told me last night that his wedding is a go, TOMORROW! So, me and daughter dashed out this morning to try and find a dress. I don't usually wear sleeveless stuff so while I like the two dresses, and can't make up my mind, I am whipping up a shawl that will go with both. Even with the awful pics below, which dress do you like? It's just gonna be at the courthouse, with a dinner afterwards. The green one is knee-length, the blue is long. Post more later, gotta grab a bite of lunch and get these yarns flying!

24 hour shawl! Literally!

O.K., folks, these are the absolute worst pictures I have ever taken but I am in a hurry. The two dresses were picked because I wanted something a bit romantic, altho that's not usually my style. They look much better than these pics but you can get an idea of the colours.

Damnation!! Just saw my idea!!

Remember down a bit when I said I was going to work on boots, well, I just saw them here

http://www.anthropologie.com/jump.jsp?itemID=7562&itemType=PRODUCT&iSubCat=362&iMainCat=333

Oh well, I wasn't going to make them exactly like that but I have to admit they were going to be similar. I had a flat pair of boots that I wore to death and I was going to try and replicate them. I still am, I don't really like the bulkiness of the catalog ones. Oh well, enjoy your day!

2ND NEW PIC

A side view of the new "bonnet" part of the cape. I tried to show the ruffle. I really love how this is coming along. Thanks to ALL who made suggestions on this project, I love the input!!

FIRST PICS OF NEW CAPE

Here's the back of the new cape. I attached the wrong side of the bonnet to the cape, the seam is supposed to be inside. So either I will frog it, or I will put a small picot along the top of the entire cape, using the seam as well, and make it reversable, the "inside" being smooth. Anyway, some nice person suggested a ruffle to make it look more Victorian, so I tried it and love the result. I increased in every stitch for two rows of single crochet. I really love the look.

ALMOST FINISHED WITH PICS.......

Good afternoon, all!

I am almost finished with the cape. I started a new one last night with the LusterSheen I bought and it is coming out really nicely. I am going to be posting pics soon, and doing another one in black. So if you want to see the finished product, plus embellishments (you know I can't keep my hands off an original pattern!), check back with me. Very soon!

Well, here's the first attempt on the Victorian bonnet. I have a basic pattern for this, embellished it a bit on the back where the seam is. I have over-corrected the sharpness on these pics to show the pattern, the thread is just some I had here and it is metallic. I am starting on the cape, above, and will see how it comes out. I went to HL today and bought some LusterSheen, I might re-do it in that thread, to see the end result.

Thanks to all who commented and helped on the "Victorian" stitch question!!!

THANKS, THANK YOU AND THANKS AGAIN!

To ALL on the CP group who helped me with fine suggestions and advice on the Round Ripple Baby Afghan!! Whatta great bunch of folks! And I seriously mean that! Thank you for sending me the pattern that wasn't available anymore and also for all the help, on and off-list for the middle, I was having problems. I will update on the progress!

Also, where can I get one of those little things that show the percentage of completion on individual projects? Know what I mean? I've seen them on other blogs and would like to start one myself.

Started on a sweater last night, half-way thru. I have SO many things to finish and want to do.
As soon as I can get the thread and needle, I am trying my hand at IRISH Crochet booties that are just gorgeous!.

Still in the market for a Christening gown pattern for 1st grandchild. Making a WILD baby blanket, y'all will have to see it, as well as some experimetal stuff with BOOTS, yes , I said BOOTS, and hackey sacks, and seriously considering collaberating with daughter to see if she would wear an Irish crochet wedding dress. No, she's not engaged, but I am talking for hope chest. I haven't forgotten the little crochet-in-the round animals, or the Cathedral Rose Window Afghan, ther's just so many things to do and finish, but so much fun as well!! I'll be posting pics all this week.

Enjoy your lives, folks, be thankful for every day you have, whether it is good or bad. As long as you are alive, there's hope and faith, and love to give. Just a thought.

TWO job offers and a tapestry lesson.....

Hello to all! I just went to test for a job at Sara Lee Bakery Groups, which is a GOOD job. The lady said she was recommending me for the job and I should know Monday. Then, as soon as I got home, I was called for an interview at a new plant here, in which I applied for a job drivng a fork-lift (I have done this before). So I have to talk to them Monday as well. Decisions, but good ones. They are both good jobs with good benefits. I love being a sub teacher but it pays practically nothing.

Anyway, to the tapestry lesson. I found a page that explains it, and am gonna link you up to it. here it is:

http://iweb.tntech.edu/cventura/rightstitches.html

I have another page to post with info on this as well.

Tapestry crochet is simple once you do it once or twice, try it....you may fall in love with it like I did!

And since I can't get this to the profile.....

This is me.

My baby has a New Job!! LOL!

rachael Yep, that's a Papa John hat on her head, she's a full-fledged pizza delivery person now! First day! Isn't she sweet!! LOL!

SHAWL PATTERN, PART 2

Sorry for the delay folks, but real life does call! LOL! Anyway, I am going to try to go ahead with the pattern now. Here we go.

Row 6. Add your second colour. You could have done this, as I do, in the previous row and bring it up to start this row. With your 2nd colour, do 1 DC in each of the next two DC, then 2 DC in the original colour. So you will be doing two DC of each color, alternating until you get to the end o the row. Bring both colours up with the ch 3 at the end of the row, turn.

Row 7. DC in each of the stitches across the row in the 2nd colour, binding off, or simply cutting and ending the 1st colour after the first several stitches. Ch 3 at the end of the row, turn. You will have only the 1st colour used on your hook now.

Row 8. Work 1 DC in each stitch all the way across, adding the 2nd colour in the last few stitches. Ch 3, turn. This row will be in the first colour used.

Row 9. Now the actual design begins. Don't let this pattern scare you, when you do it once, you will see how simple it actually is.

*With 1st colour, DC2. 2nd colour, dc 10. Continue this* sequence all across the row. Ch3 at the end, turn, continuing with both colours.

Row 10. *2 DC in 1st colour, 2 DC in 2nd colour, 4 DC in 1st colour, 2 Dc in 1st colour, 2 DC in 2nd colour. That's the sequence for this row, repeat from * all the way across, ch 3, turn, still bringing both colours up.

Row 11. Repeat Row 10

Row 12. *With 1st colour DC 2, 4 DC with 2nd colour, 2 DC with 1st colour, 2 DC with 2nd colour, repeat from * across, Ch 3 at the end, turn, bringing up both colours.

Row13. *2DC with 1st, 2 DC with 2nd, 6 DC with 1st, 2 DC with 2nd, repeat from * across the row, ch 3, turn, bringing up both colours.

Row 14. Repeat row 13.

Row 15. *2 DC with 1st colour, 10 DC with 2nd, repeat from * across the row, ch 3, turn, bringing both colours up.

Row 16. Dc in each stitch across with 1st colour, binding off 2nd colour after a few stitches into the row. Add the 2nd colour a few stitches from the end of the row, ch 3, turn, bringing both colours up.

Row 17. DC in each stitch across with 2nd colour, binding off the 1st colour after a few stitches, work all the way across, add the 1st colour a few stitches from the end, ch 3, turn, bringing up both colours.

Row 18. Repeat Row 6, ch 3, turn, bringing up both colours.

Row 19. DC in each stitch across with 1st colour, binding off 2nd colour a few stitches into the row. Ch 3, turn, with only first colour working now.

Row 20. Now you are working on the band described in yesterday's post. Continue with the cross over stitch row, then the DC row, until you have it the width you want.

Then repeat the pattern from Row 6.

And there you go. I know I have probably done a horrid job writing this, if anyone has suggestions or corrections, please add them!! Enjoy!

SHAWL PATTERN

O.K., here’s the pattern, as best as I can write it. Maybe someone can help me figure exactly the number of foundation chains so the people who are new at this don’t have a hard time trying to add or subtract.

*As far as I know, there are no patterns like this available with a copy-right. The book that I had 20-something years ago had this same disclaimer in it. If this is a copy-righted pattern, please contact me with proof and I will remove the pattern.

Ch 212. Chain 2, turn.
Now this makes a shawl of approximately 6 ft long. This is where I usually shorten it, but my first one was this length and it was great for throwing over a shoulder or draping over your head. Anyway, here is where I need the pro’s help in figuring the “multiples” of the chain to shorten it.

Row 1. Dc across into foundation chain. Ch 3, turn.

Row 2. Ch always counts as first stitch on the row. Dc crochet into the 2nd stitch from the chain stitch, skipping one DC. Then go to the skipped dc, and make a dc. It will cross over and look like an “X”. There’s a name for this stitch but I have forgotten it. Continue across the row, ch3, turn.

Row 3. Dc in all stitches across row, ch3, turn.
Row 4. Repeat Row 2

Row 5. Repeat Row 3

O.K. basically you are going to have a band of alternating two rows. One row of all DC, one row of the cross over stitch. You can make this band as wide as you like, just as long as you end with a row of all DC. Understand? I know I am not good at writing instructions so forgive my flaws with this and e-mail me for any questions. Be back shortly with part 2.

O.K., now that I have screwed up my blog entirely

Y'all bear with me, all the side stuff is at the bottom now and I'm trying to get it back to "normal". I am not good at customizing templates!! Anyway, I'm working on it!

Good morning! About the shawl.......

I have received SOOOO much lovely feed-back about this shawl. I had this pattern about 20 years ago, got it out of an old crochet book. It's just a counted stitch pattern so I'll try to write it up and post it.

Let me also say this. I am a private person most of the time and the charity work I do is anonymous. The only reason I told the story of my neighbor is to let y'all know that there are a lot of people on your own street who might just need a little chat, or a wave passing by, or just a little gift, unexpectedly, to really make a difference. I live in Mobile, Alabama, and there is a lot of poverty here. While I am not rich by any means, I am fortunate to be comfortable and my family safe. There are a lot of kids, old folks, abused women and children here that think just a small coverlet, a small hand-made toy, or a cap is a miracle.

I guess all I am saying is I am no angel. Ask my kids and friends! LOL! But just a small thing can make such a difference to someone who is lonely or hurting. That's all I was trying to say. So, thanks for all the kind words about the shawl and I will try to get the directions up as soon as possible.

Shawl modeled!

Here's the back

I usually make shawls longer than this but considering my daughter is 5'10" and the lady I made it for is very small, I figured it would be o.k.. I just ran it over to her and she just loved it! She wanted to know why and I told her that I didn't want her to think I had forgotten about her. I have not talked to her in a while and she lives alone. I rather love to suprise people with things than to wait for the holidys. She is 88 and chills easily and I know she gets lonely sometimes. Anyway, maybe do something for someone on your on street, 'specially if they are older. Elderly people are wise and know a lot and this lady used to be a nurse for over 60 years. At 88, her next day isn't promised to her, (well I guess it isn't to any of us! LOL), and I didn't want to regret "not getting around to it". Anyway, hope you like it!!

Tapestry shawl

The picture and the pics below are of a tapestry shawl I made for an elderly neighbor. It works two thread at once during the design portion.

Close up of the design, a Grecian key.

tapestry