Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Hyperbolic Crochet AGAIN

These are the pieces I have made so far.

This one is the largest and has 3 colors.


It started only 20 stitches long.
















This is what I'm working on now. It is a out of all the leftover pieces from all my projects. So it will have lots of colors and lots of ends sticking out.




This Reef Project is getting more fun all the time.







These are a few of the examples of the Crocheted Coral Reef pieces we got to see and handle at the seminar.



Here are some of us working together, sharing our ideas and hints.





More samples, different view




More sharing and visiting.




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More Hyperbolic Crochet

Being so enthusiastic about the Hyperbolic Reef project, I took what I was working on to the family party.

One of my nephews (6th grade) wanted to learn how to make one. So I pulled out one of the hooks I carry all the time and a small ball of yarn. I started to show him how to chain. He soon got bored with that and wanted to start making the rows instead of one long chain. I told him to pull it out (that is so fun, I had to let him do it.), when he got it to the right length, we started to work on turning and he was off.

I had him pick a number and told him to put 2 stitches in that hole. He took off.

At the end of the program, he had finished all the yarn in the little ball and his work looked pretty good. This is what he did.



Here we are working as we watched the program.

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Family Christmas Party

I thought I'd put up a few pictures from my family's Christmas Party.



Singing the traditional song to end the evening. " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas."



I could only get part of the crowd at once. If you multipy the people in this by five, you will get a number that almost equals how many people we had there.



Daughter playing her flute for the program.



Everyone milling around as we are eating.



Singing an original song to the newest law enforcement official.


One family playing the "bell" pipes. It sounded really good.


Our 2 visitors from Albania sang a christmas song in their own language. They gave an international flavor to the evening.



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Saturday, December 13, 2008

Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef --Reposting

I have seen pictures of the wonders of scuba diving in places like the Great Barrier Reef and other coral reef areas. They are beautiful. But in reality, there is no way I will be doing any scuba diving; anywhere! My son has had the opportunity to become certified in scuba diving, but that's probably as close as I will get to actually doing it.

One of the reasons that people give for not doing crochet is that they don't know how to make it form the object they desire. Well, I suppose the INSTITUTE FOR FIGURING is taking that to a new level. They have created a CROCHETED display of a coral reef that is FANTASTIC! If I lived close to where it was being displayed, I would go.



It will be in Scottsdale, Arizona from April - July 2009!! And I get to help!!

When you look at the individual items that are in the display, each one will fascinate you! But to know how to put them together in a way that really looks like a part of nature is just astounding. I found myself just looking at the pictures over and over; wanting to touch them and see how they were made. WOW!!

Most people don’t understand that it takes math to create a pattern in yarn; crocheting or knitting! You need to be able to understand how many stitches it take to create the pattern and then decide how many times to repeat that pattern and how many stitches you need to add in order to work the first row as you create the stitch.

For instance, a pattern may say something like this; 3+2 (or) 12+3. You need to know what that means and how to use that information. Now I can tell people that I do higher math when I spend so much time on my crochet.

  • Yarn is just my paper for doing calculations.
  • I need more hooks so I never run out of “pencil leads”.
  • Buying crochet magazines is just finding new calculations to practice.
  • Crochet books are just my sources for answering questions and learning new stitches to work my calculations.
  • The time I spend sitting and crocheting is just expanding my brainpower in mathematics.

I suppose there is a valid argument here for putting mathematical crochet in school curriculum! They already have orchestra and band – which both use math; and drama – which only uses math for creating the sets. So why not have a math/crochet class? They could make things for charity. Even better it could be used for helping the angry students learn to relax. Since it has been proven to help relieve stress, why not use it for those kids who are the difficult ones?

What about putting crochet into business? It could be a team builder. It could help to lessen the stress-related problems for almost all types of businesses. If your employees are going to take time to goof off, let crochet be an acceptable way to kick back for 30 minutes. I could continue to bore everyone that doesn’t crochet with all the ways it could be put into everyone’s life . . . but I won’t.

Just know that I will be happy to help anyone learn to crochet and if you stick with it, you will find that you have less stress in your life! That is worth working for!

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Saturday, December 6, 2008

Just more fun stuff

A 2 year old must keep up with the big kids!
S: "Don't take my picture now. I haven't even showered."
Me: "I won't share it with anyone."
OOPS!!
Just tell them it wasn't focused right.
(Is this size better, S?)

"Dad, Look what I can do!"
If you help me remember how to do it.


Proof !!
I got to see all 4 of them.


Don't mess with this lady!
You will loose!
My sweet daughter, and one of her little friends!

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Your Kind of Music

On this last trip, my son introduced me to the best radio in the world!

It plays only the kind of music I like and it there are no commercials.

No messing with CD's to find that one song on an album that I want to hear.

I can listen to different types of music on separate channels or mix the channels together.

Impossible? Possible!!!

Look at http://pandora.com and you can set up your own new kind of listening experience.

It is FREE.

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Tuesday, December 2, 2008

I am ecstatic!

The Hyperbolic Coral Reef project is coming to Scottsdale! I posted about this on Thursday, June 5, 2008. It looks fantastic!!

I told TK that I would love to be able to see it, but I wasn’t going to travel for it. Now it is coming to me! And even better is the fact that they are asking for help with it. I am definitely in that line.

These websites provides information about the project:
http://www.theiff.org/reef/index.html
http://www.scottsdalepublicart.org/CrochetReef.php

Here are a few of the latest nests. Many have found their way to other homes for many varied uses.


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Monday, December 1, 2008

Pictures from my trip

These are randomly selected pictures from my trip. I will write about it later.


J is one of my favorite people in the world.
Life is tough for him & his family right now.


Cousins playing & watching TV .
Actually they are just making a mess.


More of the cousins.
The ONE GIRL with the 15 boys that were there.


Serving dinner to the 15 boys, one girl, & 7 adults.
This kitchen is great for that.


Do I look like "Micheal Jordon"? They say I do.

Conversation overheard this same night between two brothers, age 12 & 10, who were watching "Three Amigos!"

After hearing the word 'foreplay' in the movie.
S: What's foreplay?
Me: I'm not sure. Ask your parents.
S continues to ask me what it means. He finally gives up and asks his brother.
S: T what does foreplay mean?
T: Oh, that's when they get on their horses. (referring to the movie)
S: Okay.
I hid my smile and actually did not laugh at their innocence. But it was a close one for me.

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Thursday, November 20, 2008

Travel

It’s 3:30 am.
I am ready to go to the airport so I can spend some times with my grandchildren.
I am prepared.
I even got some sleep, so I feel rested??
I am dressed.
Just shoes left.
Wait!!
The left shoe doesn’t go on the right foot!
I hope I don’t snore on the plane!!!

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Friday, November 7, 2008

SOUND OFF

We just had a Presidential election that was historic in many ways. It was good to be a part of that election—no matter what candidate you voted for. BUT! Most of the people that have been interviewed by news programs have totally missed the point of this election.

We were voting for a President to lead our country in a difficult time. WE WERE NOT VOTING ON THE COLOR OF THE SKIN!!! I have heard people commenting that the black are now truly free; our country has finally become equal; we have now left racism behind; and many other comments that regard race ONLY.
NOT ONE OF THESE COMMENTS WAS ABOUT ANYTHING BUT RACE!!

One well known radio show had a “man on the street” segment which showed very well how uninformed the voters really were. They asked the public about Obama’s views & promises; but they actually were attributing McCain’s views & promises to Obama. No one noticed. They also asked what the public thought about Obama’s VP running mate –Sarah Palin!! They all said that they thought she would do well and that she was a good choice. GIVE ME A BREAK! This shows what they were voting for and it wasn’t for a candidate!

While I agree that this has been a momentous election; I do not agree with voting for any candidate for any office based on the color of their skin.

If you are going to vote PLEASE LEARN ABOUT WHO YOU ARE VOTING FOR! I don’t care which party you choose, or what your political views may be, but please don’t vote based on race!

The election was definitely historical; mostly for ignorant voters.

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Saturday, November 1, 2008

Finally

Aren't these little super hero's cute!

The best part is they are mine. I get to love on them and listen to them and play with them whenever I can get to where they live.

Having a picture of my daughter laughing is wonderful. I can hear her and it makes me want to laugh with her can cry because I miss her so much.


Disclaimer: I admit that I purloined these pictures from someone else blog. The reason is that the only way I get to see pictures of this DD and 2 of my sweet grandchildren is when this other person puts their pictures on her blog. At least I get to see them about every 2-3 months.

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K

This is one person I love to see—and hear!


Each morning when the school bus comes to pick up the 14 year-old, this sweet person is on the bus and watching intently for her to come out the door.

As soon as she is half way to the bus, I start to hear the joyful, very loud, noise that is a welcome from this special person.

It makes me happy to know that there is someone who is happy to see my DD. This starts her day off knowing that she matters to someone (other than her parents, who don’t count when you are 14).

Thank you K!

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October 31st

Well, I survived another Halloween. Every year when October comes, I start to build up this dread. The last day of the month is the one I would like to eliminate.


This is proof that I went to "trunk or treat" last night! At least I got to eat and I got some crocheting done. Notice that I even made a concession for the season and wore an ugly orange shirt. I was the crocheting pumpkin.
Last night was a real “sacrifice” for me. I had to give up watching the 1st round of the 2008 PBR World Finals. http://www.pbrnow.com/wf08/ This is the one sporting finals I take pains to watch! It would have been a real problem last night if I didn’t have DVR! The years that the Finals happen to fall on Halloween are the easiest for me to ignore the holiday. Just in case you haven’t talked to me in a million years, I LOVE the PBR.

Over the years, my children would have agreed, I would have gone and bought 2-3 bags of candy for each one and called it good. But they had different ideas. The lure of a costume and begging for candy in the dark was too much temptation for them. Personally, I don’t see it.

Actually, I hate it! Once the last child is out of the house, I plan on ignoring it! Only my grandchildren will entice me to admit that the day exists at all. I plan to be curled up inside the house, doing whatever I want to do that evening. I might crochet, read, watch TV, watch the PBR World Finals, make Plarn, work on the computer, or bake. I would rather do dishes or clean a bathroom; which are my least favorite chores.

TK can deal with the door if he wants to have the lights on.

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Friday, October 24, 2008

Buckets of Christmas Ideas

http://bucketideasforchristmas.blogspot.com/

I found a great idea blog! if you are looking for Christmas ideas that you can make, this is it!

I especially like the "I Spy Tree" and the Photo CD ornament.

Maybe this will help me get inspired to start on Christmas. When you are making things, it may take less money, but it takes a lot more time.

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Thursday, October 23, 2008

3rd Picture Tag (from a Tagg)

I picked up the tag (from someone who's last name use to be Tagg). So this is the 3rd picture in my 3rd picture file. But it needs some explanation.


Our vacuum was just not working. TK decided to change the bag. As you can see, it wasn't full at all. So I got down on the floor and took the vacuum apart.

Guess what I found? There was a small section, about 6 inches, long that was PACKED with what you see in the picture. What you don't see is that this was only about ONE THIRD of the junk I pulled out.

But since this tag was for the 3rd picture in the 3rd picture file, i am only going to share this one pile of whatever this is.

Now you can be tagged--if you want to share your 3rd picture in your 3rd picture file. Just leave a comment if you take the dare, I mean the tag.

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Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Time for some Crochet

I started working on an afghan for Alyssa close to 6 months ago. I finished it about 6 weeks ago, but haven’t posted about it. Since it is really nice and very large, it deserves posting.
The pictures have been chosen at random.
I worked on this on my king size bed because of how large this was getting. And I was watching NCIS!
They show the color (rose & off white)
Alyssa taking her pictures with it before it was finished

The cat giving her approval by kneading it and then finding her spot to lay on.

This was made for her TWIN bed, but as you can see it is much larger than that.

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Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Confessions of the Cookie Dough Monster

Yes, I love to eat cookie dough. Apparently many others like it too, which is why they make so many things in “cookie dough” flavor. But if you are at all worried about eating raw eggs, cookie dough is not the best snack.


UNTIL I FOUND THIS RECIPE – Edible Cookie Dough


This is dough that is not to be baked, but to be eaten as the dough! My kind of snack -- save the eggs and still have dough! So, I made it, and A & I eat it so fast that I have to make double batches just so it will last more than 24 hours!

I share this with you after looking at many recipes for this and putting together my own.

EDIBLE COOKIE DOUGH

½ cup soft butter
¼ - ½ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup milk
½ - 1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup sugar
1 ¼ cups flour
½ - 1 cup chocolate chips (optional – yeah right!)


Cream together first 5 ingredients. Add the salt and flour and mix well. Add the chocolate chips, stir to distribute.

After the dough is ready, you can leave it in the bowl and serve like that. But I prefer to form it into the same shape as the store-bought “break & bake” style. I use a large piece of plastic wrap, place the dough on it and shape into a rectangle. Then I make the cut marks to it will be easy to break off. I wrap it completely and put in the freezer/fridge.

This is also the kind of dough you would use to make your own “COOKIE DOUGH ICE CREAM”. Add it to softened store-bought ice cream and re-freeze. Or add it to your homemade ice cream just before you think it will stop churning so it has time to mix in.


NOTES:
* I have left out the baking powder/baking soda that most of the recipes called for – I find it doesn’t do anything for the flavor and I don’t need the leavening properties.
* Try adding some peanut butter chips or nuts, if that is your preference.
* We have to put a limit on how many sections you can take at once.


Sorry I don't have any pictures. It gets eatten too fast!!

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Thursday, October 9, 2008

Microwave Fudge

I first was introduced to fudge made in the microwave almost 25 years ago. Now it is the only kind I will make! I think I will share it with you.


Recipe (follow it EXACTLY)

1 box Powdered sugar OR 3 ¾ cup
½ cup cocoa
¼ cup milk (I like the canned evaporated milk for this)
½ cup butter, in small pats
1 Tablespoon Vanilla
½ cup chopped nuts (optional)


Combine the first 4 ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes. Take out of microwave and mix until smooth. Add vanilla and nuts.
Spread into a buttered dish (about an 8 inch dish). Cool then cut and serve.
NOTE: you may get small balls of sugar in your fudge if you don’t sift it first or use a mixer after cooking. I don’t think it’s a problem, but you might.

Sometimes I add Peanut Butter and maybe some Cinnamon after cooking. Wonderful!!



This is the simplest recipe!! It makes up in a couple of minutes and you are licking the bowl in less than 15 minutes. If you are a chocoholic, you must try this recipe!

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