Caps and Scarves

The cap pattern is found in Leisure Arts Quick Caps by Barbara Shaffer. The scarf is Shelly by Emily Nelson and can be found at Crochetme. The yarn is Bernat Frenzy in Loonie Lilac that I found at Dollar Tree a couple years ago. Even with the heavier yarn the scarf is still light and airy, but of course I didn't get the stitch definition I would have if I had used a lighter weight yarn. The set is going to be a Christmas present for my nephew's SO.
Same patterns and yarn. This set is going to my sister-in-law.

The cap is the same pattern as the previous two, but the scarf pattern is called the Skinny Scarf and is found at http://www.coatsandclark.com/. The daughter of my nephew's SO gets this set.

I'm happy to report that I've used quite a bit of my stash yarn for these projects, although there are still a few skeins left. I may turn those into lapghans eventually.

My Distractions

Ten days in the hospital allowed me to quit smoking after 37 years. But even with the Chantix the doctor prescribed after I came home, I still get a little antsy at times. The Chantix web sites recommends that you have a distraction for those times, so crochet has been my main distraction since I came home from the hospital. Since the projects were suppose to be a distraction and not a stresser, I've been working on simple items like caps and scarves. I've made 3 women's caps, 4 scarves, 3 toques, 1 knitted men's cap, 2 girl's caps, and 2 girl's scarves. Guess what some of my family members are getting for Christmas this year.

Still Around

It's hard to know what to say after being away so long. I've been reading everyone's blogs, but I seem to be so brain dead in the evenings that I haven't even left comments. I have been checking your blogs, though, and admiring the work everyone has been doing.
I haven't even been doing much crocheting or knitting in the evenings until recently, and I haven't finished anything at all that I can show. Maybe as it gets cooler I'll get to spend more time with it. I even thought there would be slow days at work when I could read or crochet a little, but I can tell that's not going to happen anytime soon.
Maybe you'd be interested to know how I came to be hired as Office Manager for the town. The City Clerk/Office Manager was suspended in May on suspicion of embezzlement. The state auditor came in June at the request of the DA and began an audit that was released about five weeks ago. Apparently, the girl managed to steal about $80,000 in cash over a period of 3 1/2 years. Anyway, I'm still classified as temporary until she's arrested.
Of course, the town is broke and owes huge sums of money to the trash company, electric company, and various vendors. She is bonded for $60,000, but the town won't get that money until she's convicted or a settlement is made. The town officials really want to see her convicted, though, and they want back every dime that was stolen. Hopefully, our DA will get busy and start proceedings against her.

New Job

I started my new job on Wednesday as the Office Manager for the Town of Mountain Park. I had applied for it earlier, but I thought they were going to hire someone younger. It's perfect for me right now. The City Hall is only open from 9-3, and I get an hour off for lunch. I'm only 4 and 1/2 blocks from where it's located, so I can even walk to work if I need to. (I have no plans to do that right now. It's HOT in Oklahoma this month.) I'll make enough each month with my retirement check to bring my monthly income up to about what I was making as a teacher in 2005. It's a great feeling to be working again.

It's Finished

I finally made myself finish seaming and weaving in the ends. Then I took it outside on the hottest day of the year for photos. It's hard to believe it will ever been cool enough in Oklahoma to wear this.

Sweet and Simple Child Shrug

Publication: American School of Needlework's The Crochet Yearbook, Volume 1

Designer: Joyce Nordstrom

Size: 26" x 6"

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Brites in watermelon, 1 skein

Hook: I

I have two great-nieces, ages 7 and 9. Hopefully, this will fit one of them, and I can then adjust the size to make a second one.

Hobby Lobby Shopping Spree

I had to go to Lawton Thursday for an appointment with the dermatologist to have the spots checked where he'd removed the skin cancers. The places had healed, and no further surgery or treatment will be necessary.





I spent 45 minutes getting there, and I wasn't even in the examination room 10 minutes. And I had to give them another $25 co-pay. Since I'd already wasted all of that gas just getting to Lawton, I decided I might as will swing by Hobby Lobby and check out the yarn.





I hadn't been to Hobby Lobby in quite awhile, and I had never bought yarn there before. It was really something of a disappointment. I wasn't impressed with most of the Yarn Bee yarns, and anything that I might have bought had only a few colors and not enough skeins with the same dye lot. They did have a good selection of the Sugar and Cream cotton, and I stocked up on some of that. I also got some Lion Brand Wool Ease Chunky to try a knit purse I found on Garn Studio. There was also some Senso and Luster Sheen on clearance, and I picked up some of that. So the whole experience wasn't a total waste of time, and at least now I know that I'll have to do my buying online.



I want to end with a tip from the dermatologist. He recommended the Neutrogena 70 Sunblock. The 70 has more anti-aging and anti-wrinkle properties than the 45. It might be a little late for that in my case, but I guess I'll give it a shot if Wal Mart carries it.