Ok,

I could almost cry! Why you ask? Because people talked to me!! The last time I looked at my blog 145 people had viewed it. Today not only have 1565 people viewed, but people commented on my castle!!! Thank you soooo much! I am uber excited about the fact that you like it! Make sure you send me pics if you do make it!!

tra la la....dancing....

bizzer!

Hi all,

I've completed the castle bag. I think it turned out adorable. Now remember when you see the pics that the little characters come from- http://www.crochetme.com/node/166/print . They are Melissa Mall's creation, not mine. But, here is the pics and pattern for the "Castle Bag" they can go into.

WHIMSICAL CASTLE BAG by Elizabeth Mareno

beginner - advanced beginner

Materials: G hook, Grey Yarn ( I used Red Heart Grey Heather), Small amount of green yarn for vine, Yarn needle.

Bottom:

(do not join rounds unless noted)

Ch 4, sl st to first ch.

Row 1- 6 sc inside circle.

Row 2- 2 sc in ea sc around.

Row 3- (sc in 1 sc, 2sc in next) around.

Row 4- (sc in 2 sc, 2sc in next) around.

Row 5- (sc in 3 sc, 2sc in next) around.

Row 6- (sc in 4 sc, 2sc in next) around.

Row 7- (sc in 5 sc, 2sc in next) around.

Row 8- (sc in 6 sc, 2sc in next) around.

Row 9- (sc in 7 sc, 2sc in next) around.

join with sl st to first sc, ch 3. do not finish off!

Sides: (join all rounds w/sl st unless noted)

Row 1- In back loop only, dc in each sc around.

Row 2- ch1, sc in same st as join, in back loops sc in ea dc around.

Row 3- Repeat row 1

Row 4- Repeat row 2

Row 5- Repeat row 1

Row 6- ch3, in both loops, dc around.

Row 7- ch3, in both loops dc around leaving last 4 dc undone. do not join.

Row 8- ch 3, turn, dc in each dc around. ch4, skipping open dc, join with sl st to top of ch3.

Row 9- ch1, turn, sc in join, sc in each dc around, join.

Row 10- Reverse sc around. Finish off and weave in ends.

Vine trim:  With dark green. Sl st & ch a trellis up the join openings and around the window on the side of the castle base.

TOP:(do not join unless noted)

Row 1- Ch2, 5sc in 2nd ch.

Row 2 & 3- sc in each sc (5)

Row 4- 2 sc in each sc around. (10)

Row 5- sc in each sc around (10)

Row 6- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) around. (15)

Row 7- sc in each sc around (15)

Row 8- 2 sc in each sc around (30)

Row 9- sc in each sc around. (30)

Row 10- (sc in 2sc, 2sc in next) around. (40)

Row 11 & 12- sc in each sc around. (40)

Row 13- (sc in 9sc, 2sc in next) around. (44)

Row 14- (sc in 7sc, 2sc in next) around, sc in rem 4 sc. (49)

Row 15- (sc in 5sc, 2sc in next) around, sc in 6 sc, 2 sc in next. (58)

Row 16- (sc in 3sc, 2sc in next) around, sc in last sc. (71)

Row 17- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) around, sc in last sc. (106)

Row 18- Join with sl st to 1st sc. Reverse sc. Finish off, weave in ends.

YOU WANT A SLIGHTLY RIPPLED LOOK TO THE TOP WHEN DONE.

Ties(make 2): Wherever front is, at about row 14, attach with a sl st (to the underside of the top) around a post of sc and Ch 30, cut off. secure ends.

Attach the top at about row 14 to the center of the back, making sure the ties line up with the window in the front.

And that is that! Enjoy!!

Let me know what you think of this pattern!!

TTFN

bizzer

Hello all,

I cannot believe that it has been a month since I blogged last. It has been an incredibly busy month.

One of my dreams has come true. I can't tell you how many years I've wanted to do this, but, I now have my own yarn store. Woohoo!!! It's enough to make you drool! God has blessed us so mightily to be able to do this.

The neatest thing through all of this is that all of the donating that I have been doing now has a new platform. We created the "Donation Station" here at the store. Giving people a place to drop off hand made items. So far the response has been incredible. One lady dropped off over 30 quilts she made this last winter. OMG!!! 30 Quilts!!! What an amazing blessing!! Our charity this month is the Time Out Shelter in Ladysmith again.

This time since the pressure wasn't on me alone to provide all of the donation I decided to make some toys to be given away at Christmas. Toys take me longer because they are so detailed. I don't usually make them for charity because they take longer than the average project for me.

So far I've made a "Teddy Bear Bassinet". It is an old Annie's Attic Pattern book that I've had for the better part of 10 years now. I've made the set probably 5 or 6 times now. I think I love it so much because every time I make it, it is individual and different. Many of the outfits that come with the pattern are boring to me, so I embellish. I add flowers to the outfits. I use the basic beginnings of a pattern and turn it into a dress. I make headbands and hats to go with outfits, etc. I even make a coat for the bear. It's cold here in Wisconsin!  I have included pictures of the latest teddy bear and her clothes and basket. (Thank you, Stefani, for helping me take the pictures!)

The next pattern I have done is called "Fairy Tales at your fintertips (some assembly required)" by Melissa Mall. Here is the link to the pattern: http://www.crochetme.com/node/166/print  it takes you right to the printable version of the pattern. Super cute!!! It's little finger puppets. But you know me, I couldn't leave well enough alone. I don't care for finger puppets so I stuffed them and closed off their butts. They have no arms or legs, but they are cute!! There is a dragon, a knight, a damsel and a noble steed. Perfect for little scraps of yarn. Yet, I felt like...they need somewhere to be stored. So I am in the process of creating a "Castle Bag" to go with the fairy tale critters. I have all of it done but the top and I am gingerly working my way through the shape of that. Once I get it completed, I will take pics and post them and the pattern for the Castle bag.

I have to work on a baby gift next. One of Tony's cousins had a new baby girl on Sunday June 4th, so I have to get wiggling on her gift. I have fallen in love with some really cute cotton patterns done in the sugar n cream yarn. There is a 'beach bag' that I am going to make into a baby bag. It's super bright and "omg" cute! It's in the "Flower Power" book put out by Lily brand.

Ok, well I've rambled long enough. Enjoy the pics of the teddy and her gaggle of clothes!

Have an Awesome Day!!

bizzer

Ok, why is it that when you HAVE to do something, you don't want to anymore.

I'm a little behind on my backpacks! I will get them done tho!!

Well,

I felt so bad about the backpacks that I didn't give them anything. While I was working on one at Stefani's appt yesterday, I told her nurse about them (the backpacks). She thought they were so neat she asked me to make one to give out to each of the Oncology patients at the annual picnic this July. Yay! I'm so excited! I just told her let me know how many boys and how many girls. So I'm getting a jump start and just making them up now. I figure it can't hurt. (these backpacks have been the best thing for my 'leftovers' stash)

Stef's appt went super good yesterday. We are counting down the month's now. Her blood counts are good. Her port access, although rocky in the beginning, went very well. For the last few months they have been having trouble getting a blood draw on her line and this time she gave it up like nothing! Hallelujah! She was blessed by the Loyal Elementary School with some Easter baskets that they made. She thought that was just too cool. She was given this dog when she started chemo and it had blue ears, so she called her Blue the Chemo Dog. Blue has been everywhere with and has seen it all. Blue, has had line draws on her 'port', she has had spinal taps and bone marrow aspirations and intravenous chemo, you name it. WELL, in one of her Easter baskets she received a pink fluffy bunny. So now Blue has a friend and her name is Bunny. Blue and Bunny. I love my daughter, she has a wonderful, wonderful mind!

Be good,

Biz

Ok, here is the picture of the dresses I made. Of course, I couldn't just leave well enough alone and just make the pattern I bought. I altered some things, left some things out...all in all, I like the outcome. The shoes were really cute, but the ankles were super huge, so I made little ties to keep them on Abigail.

These are supposed to fit 6-9mo. They are just darn cute. I found I liked the Bernat Softee baby yarn as opposed to the baby yarn with the shiny thread through it. The all white dress with the pink flower was done with the shiny thread yarn. To me it's a little stiff, not unwearable, just stiff. It also crocheted up larger than the other. I really liked the way the Softee one turned out and then I added the fun fur. That should be nice and soft for Abigail. However, I couldn't bring myself to make shoes to go with the other dress. I know, I'm a weenie.

Anyway. I have much to do today. I robbed my stash of backpacks to give to my nieces and nephews for Easter, so I am feeling really bad that I don't have a bunch to give to the Oncology dept this month. I hate guilt. I will have two backpacks, a couple of hats made by my girlfriend and a pair of slippers. This was a pathetic donation month. I will do better next month!!

TTFN!

Biz

Hello once again.

I have made 7 backpacks so far. I ended up giving two away already. My mother-in-law saw the rainbow one I was making and decided she needed to have one. So she picked out of my scrap pile and made some great color choices. Hers turned out cute. The other one I gave away was to a friend who had to have one for her daughter. She wanted to pay me, but who can take money??  I have 5 to donate to the Peds Oncology Dept so far.

I had to do something different, so I am making a baby dress/headband/booties set. I'll take a picture when I'm done. Once again it's for the new baby girl in Texas. I don't have any other new girl babies to make for and I want to crochet these new patterns I got, so she is going to be the recipient for now. I purchased the patterns from www.amazingcrochet.com . GORGEOUS patterns!! I splurged and bought myself 2 of her E-books. So far, I'm most pleased with the pattern I am currently working on.

Some interesting developments are happening on the homefront. We could be expanding our business soon. I have to keep it a secret for now, but as soon as I get the "OK", I'll share what it is. Just suffice it to say, it will be my "heaven on Earth"!

I went to a women's conference with my church sisters this last weekend and we had a blast and came back refreshed and ready to take on the world! So that's what I intend to do!

Be blessed all!

Biz

I had a brilliant brain toot...(because we don't say fart...its offensive)....

April's Charity Box is going to the Marshfield Children's Oncology department. They are awesome. Every kid that comes in there gets to have little presents, etc. Especially when they have a particularly bad day/treatment/etc. I WILL make more back packs!! Darn-it-all-ee! And stuffed animals, dolls, hats and anything else that tweeks my imagination!

AHHHH....I feel refreshed....I have regained purpose and direction for the month of April!!

Be Good!

Biz

I am on a crochet rampage!

What is wrong with me?? My brother asked a very good question...'you just never quit, do you?'...well.....no, I don't. My reason was 'it keeps me from eating'. But really what is my obsession? I've always explained my love of crocheting as " I love to watch a ball of nothing become a beautiful, useable something". I love being the creator of items that will last. However, my wrist has been aching lately because I've been producing heavily since January, when before that I was lucky to complete projects every few months. Lack of drive, lack of purpose. This year is different, I feel the need to give of what I have. Even if I can't afford to give monetarily to everything that I would like to, I have to start somewhere until I can afford it, right?!?

I am having trouble deciding on April's charity box recipient.

I have been thinking about making some back packs.

 **side note** When we went on Stefani's Make-A-Wish trip to DisneyWorld last May I was in the process of making some potholders. But as I have the attention span of a gnat sometimes, I looked at one and said 'hmmm....I bet this would make a great bag'. My kids were in need of something to use as a carry-on bag for the plane that they would be able to stuff full of fun things, but not have it take up a seat by itself. So, I designed them back packs. Using the principal beginnings of a potholder...who knew? They were awesome! They were the perfect size for the plane and then they were used at DisneyWorld too. They have lasted for the last year beautifully and man are they taking some abuse! They, so far, are probably my favorite design. **

Anyway, back to thinking about back packs. I decided to work on one last night since I only have to use scraps. Well, my word, I got all but the straps and the drawstring done. Yay. But, now it comes down to.....what do I do with it? Do I save it for a later present? Do I give it to charity? Do I just keep making them and piling them up to give away later? I'm in a quandry.

I know it shouldn't seem like such a hard thing to figure out, but ???

I guess for now I will just keep making them. I'm thinking of submitting the pattern somewhere. But we shall see......we shall see.

Cheers!

Biz

Well,

I finally finished and delivered March's Charity Box. This month was the Time Out Shelter of Ladysmith, Wi. http://timeoutabuseshelter.com . It is a domestic/sexual abuse crisis center. They have a donation link right on their website, check it out, they are a worthy cause. I had the opportunity to tour their facility yesterday. It is really nice. They are also in the process of reconstruction to provide wheelchair accessiblity throughout the facility. One particular program they have that impresses me is when clients start out in a home of their own after leaving an abusive situation, the shelter provides them with a laundry basket filled with basic items we take for granted, yet cost money. Such as, cleaning supplies, dishcloths, broom, dustpan, mop, bucket, etc. All things we don't think about until we need them. They are always in need of those items, as well as, items to use within the facility. I have only been to the shelter in Ladysmith, although I know that they have many halfway homes whose locations are kept under strict confidentiality. The ladies that make up the office staff are a busy bunch of girls!

I worked with them a few years ago with donations, but when Stefani got diagnosed, my life was kind of consumed for a little while. Now that we are facing the end, it's time to get back to business. Anyway, I've included a picture of the items I put in the donation box, including 2 afghans, lots of kids and womens slippers, nubby scrubby dishcloths made from kitchen cotton and washcloths made from baby cotton and potholders. Everything was made from 99.9% scrap yarn. The .1% comes from me having to invest in two skeins of blue yarn to finish one of the afghans. My scrap pile was seriously reduced!! But I didn't throw away even the smallest ball of yarn left over. I figure those can be thrown into a scrap rug to give to charity later on. Maybe even an animal snuggle?? Who knows!! Here is a link to the super easy slippers. http://www.knitting-crochet.com/crochet/slisoc.html . I have literally made over 30 pairs of these slippers. It is not only an extremely easy one-piece pattern, but they are just about the most comfortable things you can possibly imagine! Now, depending on the color schemes you choose, they can either be really pretty or butt ugly, you choose! But color doesn't really matter when your toes are freezing off! They work up really fast too. If I'm going like gang-busters I can make 2-3 pairs a day. A normal day usually produces one pair.

The potholder is a pattern my grandma taught me when I was a little girl and I just never forgot how to do it. You ch 35, sc in 2nd ch from hook across. Then sc up the opposite side of starting ch and just keep going in a circle. It will eventually fold in on itself. Once the two sides meet, you whipstitch it together.....voila! You have a potholder. I usually throw a ch6 in one end when I'm getting close to sewing it up so that there is a built in loop for hanging.

We got to see my brother and his family this weekend. It was so nice. They just moved back to the area from New Mexico and this is the first birthday we've been able to spend with the nieces and nephews since they were born. The oldest is 8. So you can see why I was excited! We had a great time!

TTFN

Biz