Oasis wrap made for Fiona (mumbles17)

Here is the wrap

Close up of work

Here is the wrap I made for Fiona (Mumbles 17) at Crochetville for our Summer Secret Pal Swap
This was made with Caron Naturally - Spa color: Ocean Spray same as on pattern. I knew as soon as I saw this new yarn was available I had to make the wrap for my secret pal. I was thinking this would be perfect and lightweight (she lives in AZ) I don't think she'll be using it until it is closer to fall. The yarn was a delight to work with it is a Bamboo mix - I wased it before sending and I was a wee bit neverous about it but as you can see (this is fresh out of the washer) that it is still wonderful. I would like to work with it again however I would like to make my self a soft scarf. Not necessarily a winter one but one that I could use in the fall/spring when you are not yet wearing winter coats.
Oh the pattern http://naturallycaron.com/projects/oasis/oasis_1.html
There are a lot more lovely patterns on this web site - more colors of yarn at the store (in my area only available at Joann's)

Small gripe about being neighborly

Ok so normally I try to keep to my side of the "fence" not be to noisy around the neighborhood....leave that to DH and the lady downstairs. I'll pump them for the information if I really want to know about it.
Anyway the other night by 2ndDD, DH and I are coming home from Germanfest - had a great time by the lake. We happen to be at the 4 way stop that people have been known to blow through. I see some flames on a lawn, no one around, not normally a fire pit (nor are these people known to be outside in the evening)
So I say to DH and DD "Hey, his lawn is on fire" Their looking andeeing nothing - the flame I saw was approx. a fist size. But I can kind of see some trails of smoke. Hubby says "Awww taint nothin, lets go home"
Get home 1st DD says "Mom I'm hungry can you run me to Mc D's?" Sure another chance to spy on the fire I'm thinking.
We both see a red glowing spot on the ground - this guy is burning out a tree stump.
So I head to his front door - now mind you it is going on 10 pm.....
He comes to the door and acts like I am bothering him when I mention his lawn is on fire and maybe he should take a look at it............
I feel great because I "saved" the neighorhood from burning down....shouldn't Smoky the Bear be happy???

Next day I happen to drive past this yard again.....this JACK! has wheelbarrows and lawn chairs around the stump with plastic bags on them ..... so no one sees the glowing embers.

What at JACK, next time I will just call the Fire Department and let the home owners deal with a fine for doing a burn, that is unattended, has not been approved or what ever else they might stick him with

URRRGGGGGHHHHHHH

Summer Camp

I took part in another Secret Pal on the Crochetville site. I had a blast, we had all different things to do at virtual camp, from figuring out who is this - with sent in baby pictures, a scavenger hunt every week, id the flora and fauna (some were really tricky)

Good thing we did not have to give instructions on short sheeting - I don't even understand the concept of short sheets yet alone how it would be created....ahh well

My secret pal was Briana or known on the 'ville as luckybmr - she is such good story teller. She told us about her alpacas Alphonse and Allie...they went to camp with us and fell head over heals in love LOL. Not only is she a great story teller but a super secret pal

I found out that she sent her very first doily made to me, as you can see from the photo she did an awesome job - looks like she has been doing this for ages :)

Here are photos of the gifts that were sent by Briana through out the swap-

I really have been blest with two great swap partners since I started partaking in the secret pals - I just hope that I have been a good provider for my secret pal...can not say who I have yet her package will be there on Tuesday

I have some pictures of the crocheted items I made for her

May Ghans for Project rest assured

Here the ghans that were sent to Ohio for Project Rest Assured. This is a charity that makes ghans for children in foster care. We feel that as the children move around in the system, changing families, homes, school settings, neighborhoods we feel there is one thing that is theirs and can comfort them. I guess everyone needs a security blanket

Enjoy them. they were assembled with love

Back to Charity work

Here are some recent squares sent out

6", 8" and 12" totaling 110 squares....can't wait to see the final results once they are assembled

They have been sent to Detroit for the Childrens Hospital, New York for Eldery abuse and North Carolina for a Nursing Home.

Had to fix the Pix

I just fix the pix from Secret Pal
Sorry about that, created a new folder in Photobucket and moved the original pix

Great Leaping Lizard's Crochetville Secret Pal Swap

I was in my first ever secret pal swap and I have to say that if this is what happens with secret pal swaps........I am sooooo doing it again

First emails flying back and forth do you like .??? what about?? have you ever thought of?? What was discovered is that I tell people oh I am sooo easy to buy for why do you have a problem you know what I like. I guess I was way off base, the first thing that was pointed out was that I do not do things for myself. I crochet for others and I do plan on doing things but somehow it lands in someone elses hands.

This is the first package received by my UKSP (unknown Secret Pal) received was a pen, vanilla bath salts and a tote---who doesn't need a tote especially if you are a crafter. And it is large enough to carry a WIP (Work in Progress)

Here is the second package that was received by my UKSP sent by a fellow Crochetville member...hand made stitch markers. Beautiful and in a color that is spot on in my colors of choice. Thank-you Vicktoria -shown on a square I was working on for Hooking for a Cure

The third package had a doily (my UKSP handmade and stated it was her first time working with thread) I have to say at this point she inspired me to make one for my secret pal. Just to let you know my Secret pal did not get a thread project, I could not make it work....maybe I should blame the pattern. Yes that's it the pattern was written bad. Sorry off topic, back to the package, a doily, a journal, vanilla candle, letter K sticky notes, note cards, chocolate bugs, and a project pull here is a close up of the doily

Here is package number 4 (notice what it is sitting on???)

Then came the flowers....my UKSP sent daffodils through Fed Ex.....WOW and the day it came was a day after one of the largest snow falls. How perfect to see a bit of color and the reminders of spring with the cold and snow........I love her!!!

Package 5

Next package was a pamper myself pack, filled with all kinds of goodies, Truffle bar, Doves Chocolates, pedicure set, body scrub, body lotion, bath gel, bath salts and bubble bath Vanilla scented. Two project pulls, Nora Roberts books, book marker (again handmade), herbal tea, coffee cup with a clue on it (she's a journalist - oh, oh now I have to watch how I write my thank-yous and other conversations LOL) a heat package for soothing sore muscles with a scent rice package - too cute it has lizards on it.....the name of group the leaping lizards and a small clue about the reveal package a tan square.........

Package 6 ( I know I could not believe it either) way too much spoiling -----hello darling husband do you see some special treatment going on??

This was a kitchen themed package, homemade scrubbies, dishclothes, the cutest dress (I would say a pot holder??) To pretty to use for that I may make them a fridge. Chocolate bunnies, "to do" list, sachets, receipe box with cards (included are two receipes-looking forward to trying them) coffee, coasters, vanilla candles ~ I love candles :)


At the end of 8 weeks comes reveal package and know you'll know who your secret pal is.

I have been honored to receive all of these things made just with me in mind. I have been on the receiving end of a true friend and that is the underlying reason I wanted to join the swap. I have read on Crochetville of the friendship that comes from Swap partners. And to be honest with you to have someone to talk to about the art and craft of crocheting (heaven to me) my family just nods and smiles when I talk about my passion and why I do crochet: to make someone feel special and that is what I have felt during this entire SWAP.

Here is the reveal package, my secret pal is Joyce (jmccrochet) at crochetville, she lives in Indiana and is a very sweet person and I appreciate the fact that I was partnered up with her

Thank you moderators :)

Included were 19 squares (the 20th in package #5) for a friendship ghan, a gift card to purchase the yarn for assembling, hooks, a hook case, yarn cutter, pattern pulls, vanilla candle, doves chocolates with almonds (mmmmm), Starbucks truffles, a yellow tote, note pad, and Jan Eatons 200 crochet blocks (perfect for my charity work) and a Jimbo chopstick hand carved wooden hook.

Here are the close up of the squares (I have included photos of the jimbo hook with them)

Thank you Joyce!!!! I loved the entire time and look forward to a growing friendship