Crochet Double Single Potholder

 

 



The past year has been a difficult one and I am getting back on track and hope that I will be able to share some of my creations on a more regular basis. 








Trying to get out of my comfort zone, I have spent the past year reading vintage crochet books and practicing different stitch work.  Maria's simple cloth and all the different uses she came up with made me realize that I could take the swatches I have been working on and put them to good use.  You can find Maria's simple cloth and website here.

Below is my crochet double single crochet potholder with instructions on how I made it. 

F hook
Worsted yarn of your choice (I recommend cotton)

Written in American Terms


Chain 22

In second chain from hook, (insert hook into chain, yarn over hook, draw through 1 loop, yarn over hook, draw through 2 loops on hook to form 1 double single crochet, and continue in each chain across for a total of 20 double single crochets.

*Chain 2 and turn.  Work a total of 20 double single crochets in each previous round of double singles.*

Repeat between * until you have the length you desire.  I crocheted a total of 16 rows.
 
Chain 10 and slip stitch into the same stitch as the first chain made, fasten off and weave in ends. 

Happy Valentine's Day,

Debra

Crochet Skinny Heart

I have fallen in love with this skinny heart pattern from Emma.  It is simplistic, well written and is large enough to build scenes on the front. 

You could make these for any occasion.  I like embellishments and I am designing different scenes to give as Christmas ornaments for family and friends. 

I am so excited and have not completed my scene, but I want to share Emma's pattern with you as soon as possible, not to mention I am struggling with the sailboats for the water section. 

They are just as lovely without the scene, as you will see when you click on the link, and the pattern has such great bones for adding embellishments. 

Thank you so much Emma!!!

You can find the heart pattern here.

Thanks for visiting and see you soon,

Debra

Easter Egg Monster Cover

I found the cutest little pattern for an Easter Egg Monster Cover.  You can find the free pattern here.

Every time I look at this cutie pie, I just can't help but chuckle. 

Head on over to One Dog Woof and ChiWei will share a well written and free pattern for this lovely. 

Enjoy,

Debra

Turkey Chili Recipe

Hi everyone!!!

I am really putting in a strong effort to downsize this year and have started going through my Grandmother’s cookbooks and attempting the recipes that she has circled and removing the handwritten recipes and preparing to transfer the handwritten recipes to tea towels.

This first recipe is Chili and it calls for ground round, but I opted to use ground turkey and cooked this in my crock pot. 

The ingredients you will need are:

2 pounds of ground turkey

2 onions chopped

4 cloves of chopped garlic

4 stalks of celery sliced

2 – 16 ounce cans of whole tomato with juice

6 tablespoons of chili power

4 teaspoons of salt

2 teaspoons of sugar

2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon of hot sauce

2 – 15 ounce cans of kidney beans, drained and washed

Put the ground turkey, chopped onion and chopped garlic in a pan and slowly brown the meat until the onion is translucent.  

Once this is completed, add to your crock pot with all the other ingredients, mix well, and cook on low for 8 hours. 

Simple and delicious, and remember you can always add more chili powder if you need more kick. 

Enjoy,

Debra

Happy New Year

 Happy New Year

I know it has been awhile, but I needed to re-group.

It’s been a rough 6 months, but I am delighted to say that 2015 is feeling great.  Not that anything drastic has changed in my life, it is just a matter of accepting that, this is what it is, either react or act, and I have finally chose to act. 

I actually sat down and made some goals that were reasonable this year.  I usually get carried away, so needless to say, there are so many, I would look at them and just say, “Oh, I can’t do all that”, then of course I accomplish nothing.   I am proud of myself. 

This year I want to share with you:

12 simple, must have, basic food items in your home and hopefully I will be able to share a few recipes incorporating what I feel is a must have.

 

12 free crochet patterns that I have found while surfing the Internet.   There are so many  wonderful crochet patterns that bloggers are sharing and they are so adorable.  The free patterns are projects that I will actually make and share the link if you are interested in making the item. 

I have traveled a little bit this past 6 months and really enjoyed getting away from familiar surroundings, so I am very excited to share 6 of my new travels in 2015. 

I have also decided to have an indoor herb garden and keep you updated on my garden and some of the flavored infused oils I plan on making and incorporating in my recipes this year. 

Last but not least, I will be focusing on my kitchen this year, so I will be sharing either my own designs or vintage designs for crochet edgings.  I have collected vintage pillowcases for a few years now, and they are just sitting in a closet, so my thinking is that I will convert those to tea towels with a crochet edging.  

See you soon,

Debra

Crochet Heart Vintage Contact Paper

It is so hard for me to clean my craft area without getting distracted.  I have spent all day going through it and getting rid of a lot of items that I know I will never get to. 

I did come across some vintage contact paper and decided to take a break and cut out two heart and place them together and crochet a border around them. 

I need to get back in there and start going through everything again. 

I just stopped by to share this with you. 

Since I am beginning to enjoy crochet edgings, what better way to practice? I can make some wonderful gift tags, ornaments and what not and practice my edging patterns, to get a feel for what I want to use on my towels. 

Hope your weekend is a wonderful one!


Deb

Vintage Crochet Shell Edging Pattern Has Arrived

 

 

Hello Everyone!!!!!

 

I hope this finds you all in the best of health and spirits.  

 

I have released a vintage crochet edging pattern today.  This pattern can be found here. 

 

I really love kitchen hand towels, and my intentions were to pick up some flour sack towels and practice a little embroidery work.

 

I stopped in at the 99 cent store the other day and they had two of the below flour sack towels left, so I grabbed them.  What a deal!!!

 

Since I really don't have any room on the towels to do embroidery work, I still couldn't pass up the bargain and decided to work on some crochet edging. 

 

I have released a vintage crochet edging pattern today.  This pattern can be found here. 

 

This pattern will be so cute on guest towels, pillowcases, tops, etc. 

 

The pattern instructs to use tatting thread and a small needle. I used a size 10 tread and a size 8 (1.50 mm) steel crochet hook for the towel you see below.  I also bypassed Rnd 1 on the instructions. 

 

Instead of doing a blanket stitch across edge of the towels, I insert the hook at the very edge of one side, *chain four, insert the hook about 1/4" across from your first insert,on the top edge of towel, (depends on your tension),  and completed a single  crochet *, repeat until you have something similar to a blanket stitch across the edge of your towel.  I prefer these technique, because it produces a firmer fit for me, and the crochet work doesn't sag from the material. 

 

I am pleased with the results, and I now understand why one charges the amount they do for crochet edged towels. 

 

Beautiful results, and I have come to appreciate those that design and crochet edgings.

 

Now, if I can get myself to use the towel. 

 

 



 



 

Enjoy,

 

Deb

Project Crochet Brooches

I have been making homemade paper for the past couple of weekends and I have no idea what I am going to do with all of it, but here is a start. 

I'm back to doodling with my crochet, before I start my next pattern. 

I though it would be fun to embroidery on the homemade paper, so I have pulled out the books and I am starting to practice some stitches. 

In the meantime, I though I would be interesting to incorporate crochet, and the homemade paper and a little bit of embroidery and start a little project of making brooches for gifts this Christmas. 

I am really enjoying simplicity of the project and working with the different elements.

I just wanted to pop in and share this with you.

See you soon with a new crochet pattern that I am designing. 

Deb

Vintage Crochet Snow Ball Buffet Set Pattern Has Arrived.

 

I hope that you all enjoy this pattern as much as I have.  This vintage crochet snow ball buffet set pattern can be found here. 

 

 

This pattern has so many options.  I have made the doily and used a sugar water stiffener to convert the snow ball doilies into baskets.  The first four rounds of this pattern make a lovely flower as well. 

 



 

This is defiantly a pattern that will be made over and over again in this household.  I just love the simplistic elegance and flexibility it has.  

 

Enjoy,

 

Debra

 

 



Crochet Newborn Princess Crown

We have a new little princess that has entered our lives at work and I though it would be fun to make a crown.  I did not design this pattern but you can find it here. 

I really struggled with attaching the beads and used a fuzzy stick to give the peak stability. 

I just love the pattern and the simplicity of it.

I think this would be adorable attached to a headband as well, for your bigger princesses.

So, so cute!!!

Debra

Vintage Doily Pattern Bowl

A quick hello!!!

I have so many projects going on, I can't keep up with myself. 

I just wanted to stop by and share one of them.  This is a vintage doily pattern that I have, well, kinda became obsessed with. 

I decided I would start making a few bowls with them. 

I will be releasing the pattern, with all the other patterns I need to release, but for now, I am just enjoying all the projects and crocheting. 

Stay with me, I will eventually come out of my phase of constant crocheting and get the patterns out. 

Until then, have a great day and see you soon. 

Debra

Soon To Arrive A New Crochet Pattern

I am designing, I swear I am.  I am working on the final modifications for a new crochet pattern.  I just can't seem to decide, if I should incorporate beads on these lollipop flowers. 

What do you think?

Can anyone guess what I am designing?

The first person that guesses what I am designing before I release the pattern, will get the pattern for free, as a giveaway!!!

This will probably take me another week, I am still deciding on a few elements. 

For instance, make the circles of the flowers perfect, or leave them as is for character?  Add beads to the flowers? Do I want to add leaves on the stems? 

I struggle with my ideas when starting a new pattern, (or better yet, the yarn struggles with me).  I will start a pattern with a plan in mind, and it always, always ends up not being what my original thoughts were. 

I am really trying to learn to accept the fact, that the yarn is in charge and it is going to tell me what it wants to become, and not get upset because a piece I am designing is not on schedule as I planned.  Is that called enjoying the moment and going with the flow?

I will probably leave some hints during the next week, so watch for those!!!

Just leave your comment as to what you think it is.  You can comment as many times as you like, if you think of other possibilities. The only rule is, if you have multiple guesses, they have to be separate comments. 

Good luck!!!

Debra

Southwest Guacamole Recipe

I am working on finishing up a crochet pattern and started thinking about when my Daughter and I attended a Art Symposium in Yuma, AZ. 

I usually pick up a magnet as a souvenir, but that particular year, I picked up recipe postcards.  One of the postcards was for Southwest Guacamole. 

I had to whip up a batch and share the recipe with you. 

You won't be disappointed, and you can include this with all types of dishes.  I couldn't stop eating it, so it didn't make it on any other recipes, but it sure was good on the tortilla chips. 

Ingredients:

2 ripe avocados, (make sure they are black and soft)
1 plum tomato, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
1 minced garlic clove
2 tablespoons of sour cream
2 teaspoons of diced jalapeno
1 teaspoon of lemon juice



The first thing you want to do is slice the avocado, remove the pit and the outer peel of the avocado.  If your avocado is ripe, you should be able slide the peel right off the pulp. 

Mash the avocados with a whisk. 

 

 

Chop the tomato and onion.  I like chunky, but this is a personal preference.  Add this to the avocado and mix well. 

 



Mince the garlic and add to the avocado with the sour cream, and jalapeno, mix well. 

Add the lemon juice. 

Mix well and chill. 

I am inpatient, I put mine in the freezer for about 15 minutes and that is about how long it last in my house before it is gone. 

 

 

Great dip with tortilla chips. 

Enjoy,

Debra

Slow Cooker Refried Beans

 

 

 

 

 

I love refried beans.  I use them in dips, burritos, taco salads, nachos and oodles of other dishes. This recipe I love because it gives flavor to the beans.  Let's not forget, they help lower your cholesterol. 

 

Here is what you will need.

 

Ingredients:

 

2 pounds of pinto beans that have soaked over night and rinsed thoroughly after soaking

 

1 can of jalapeno peppers with juice.  ( I use two teaspoons of pepper and 2 teaspoons of the juice)

 

1 onion

 

5 garlic gloves minced

 

5 teaspoons of salt

 

1 3/4 teaspoon of pepper

 

1/8 teaspoon of ground cumin

 

Water to cover the beans

 

 

 

I soak my beans overnight in the cooker and then rinse them really well the next morning.  I pick out any that float to the top. 

 

Then I fill the cooker with water to cover the beans. 

 

Peel the onion and cut in half and place in the cooker with all other ingredients and mix well.  

 

Cook for about 8 hours on low. 

 



 

 

 

 

 

Once they are done drain and reserve the liquid.  

Mash with a potato masher, adding the reserved liquid to obtain the consistency that you want.  I like mine nice and thick, so I use only about one cup of the liquid. 

This makes a huge amount, but I freeze them in one pint containers until ready to use. 

 

 

 

These will last up to three months in the freezer. 

 

Adapted from the recipes of:  http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Refried-Beans-Without-the-Refry/Detail.aspx

 

Enjoy,

 

Debra



 



Slow Cooker Chicken Stock

 

 

 

I bought one of the pre-cooked roasted chickens at Walmart a couple of weeks back.  To be honest, I thought to myself, I will never buy an already cooked chicken from the market, but I was hungry when I walked in and didn't want to take the time to prepare a meal.  I had to give it a try, it just kept calling my name. 

 

I was really impressed.

 

A few weeks later, I bought another one, and thinking to myself, I can buy a whole chicken and cook it and it would be a lot less expensive, but I kind of like the idea of picking one up and taking a break after a busy day and not preparing a meal in the kitchen. 

 

On that note, I started feeling guilty, so I thought, well, I can make some chicken stock which would probably bring that cost down on the pre-cooked chicken. 

 

Time to share a new recipe:

 

Ingredients:

 

Chicken carcass

4 carrots

2 celery stocks with leaves

1 onion

2 bay leaves

 

 

 

 

 

The first thing to do is put the chicken carcass in your slow cooker. 

 

Chop up the carrots, celery with leaves, and onion.

 

Place these all in your slow cooker.

 

Add two bay leaves.

 

 



 

 

Pour in 12 cups of water, making sure that the chicken bones are covered by at least one inch of water.

Set the slow cooker to the lowest setting and simmer for 24 hours. 

After 24 hours strain and dispose of the chicken carcass and vegetables. 

 

 

 

This yielded about 12 cups for me. 

 

You can place in containers and freeze for up to 6 months until ready to use. 

 

 

You can always add different ingredients.  Peppercorns and garlic and different spices would be ideal too.  Salt is an alternative as well.  

 

 

 

 

Looks like I will be busy preparing some great soups this summer.....

 

 

Adapted from the recipe of:http://www.agirldefloured.com/2014/02/04/slow-cooker-chicken-stock/

 

 

 

Enjoy,

 

Debra

Knook Contest Winner and a Bottlecap Butterfly Pattern

Happy Mother's Day!!!

I've been tinkering with a few crochet patterns for a couple of weeks now, so I thought it would be fun to share the plastic bottle cap butterfly pattern for Mother's Day.

For this project you will need:

Two plastic bottle caps that are the same size. 
Two Fuzzy Sticks
Two small beads of your choice
4 ply worsted yarn of your choice
F Hook

You will need to crochet over the two plastic bottle caps. 

The pattern to cover a plastic bottle cap is here.

To Attach the fuzzy stick body and legs:



Take one of the fuzzy sticks and fold evenly in half.  Twist the bottom several times to the folded fuzzy stick about 1" above the fold line to form the tail. 

With the top side of the covered plastic bottle caps, you will need to slide a stem through the side of the bottle cap, and then do the same with the other stem and cap.  Slide the caps down the stem so that they are against the tail.  Twist the top of the two stems together to hold the caps in place.  Take two small beads and place one on each stem for the eyes.  Curl the top of the stems to form your antennas. 

Take the other fuzzy stick and cut in half.  Slide the sticks from top to bottom on the back of each cap.  Form the legs to your desire. 

Enjoy,

Debra

P.S.  Our winner for the Knook kit and yarn Giveaway is Lynda..

Overnight No-Cook Refrigerator Oatmeal

 

It's becoming the first topic of discussion when I walk into work, as to weather my lunch made the full trip.  I can't help myself.  I'm just not hungry for breakfast until about half way to work and my lunch starts calling my name. 

 

My lunch bag either shows up empty or half full. 

 

The whole purpose of packing a lunch is it is less expensive and probably healthier than pulling into a fast food drive through. 

 

I decided I finally needed to resolve this issue and try out a new recipe that I can make ahead of time.

 

Overnight No-Cook Refrigerator Oatmeal. 

 

 Ingredients:

 

Old Fashion Oats

Greek Yogurt

Milk

Fresh Fruit of your choice

 

You will also need one cup containers with lids.  The half pint mason jars work really well, but I am on the go, so I need something non-breakable.  I used the one cup Ziploc containers. 

 

 

 

Measure 1/4 cup of oats into each container.



 

 

 

Measure 1/3 cup of milk into each container.  I used 2%.

 

Measure 1/4 cup of Greek Yogurt into the container and mix well. 

 

 



 

 

Cut up your fresh fruit into smaller pieces.  I used one strawberry for each container.  This is personal preference. 

Mix well and place in refrigerator with lid for at least 8 hours. 

These last up to four days, so plan accordingly.

When ready to eat, you can add some more fresh fruit to the top. 

Enjoy,

Debra

Giveaway - Knook Beginner Kit and Peaches and Cream Cotton Yarn

I have always wanted to learn how to knit but I just never seemed to make the time.  I was shopping the other day, (becoming my favorite past time), and noticed these beginner kits for the Knook. 

I had to try it out.  I have a lot of practicing to do, but I love the idea of using a crochet hook to make knitting stitches with a crochet hook. 

I'm starting with small projects and trying my hand at cotton wash clothes for part of spa gift baskets that I'm putting together. 

Would you like to join me in learning how to Knook?

Time for a Giveaway!!!

One lucky participant will be randomly chosen to receive:

A beginner set of the Knook.  This kit contains, 3 knooks, (4mm, 5mm and 5.5mm), 3-36" long cords, and How To Knook instruction book by Leisure Arts.

Also included with this giveaway is one skein of  Peaches and Cream 2 oz, 4 ply cotton yarn in the color of Oasis. 

If you would like to participate in this random drawing Giveaway, there are up to 4 possible entries you can obtain.   

Share this blog post on Facebook.

Tweet this blog post on Twitter. 

Pin this blog post on Pinterest. 

Post a comment on this blog post and share with me what you would try your hand at making first, if your win the Giveaway. 

Be sure to leave a separate comment on this post for each possible entry that you complete.  If you completed all 4 entries, then you should have a total of 4 comments on this blog post. 

This Giveaway will end on May 10, 2014 and a random winner will be selected on May 11, 2014. I will then post the winner on May 11, 2014 and I will need you to make contact with me to get your mailing address to send the prizes. 

If the winner does not respond by May 15, the second runner up and so forth will be notified. 

This Giveaway is open to all USA and International Countries, not unless prohibited by law. 

Good Luck,

Debra

Crochet Soap Coat

Help!!!

I have been kidnapped by Spring Fever for the past month.

Spring Fever has forced me to clean, do gardening, (this actually means pulling weeds), cooking and crocheting not to mention, just plain out enjoying the weather.  It won't be long before we are reaching the 100's again, and I will be released.

I could post all day with my projects over the past month, but I only have time to detain Spring Fever in the afternoon as the weather gets up in the 80's and weakens his/her ability to realize it is Spring.

Today, I am sharing some crochet soap savers that I have been working on.  I love these, I can't decide weather I like the cotton or worsted yarn better.  They both exfoliate so well, but I find the worsted ones are great for getting the sap from weeds off my hands.

Here is where you can find the soap coat pattern.

Enjoy,

Debra

Spring Crochet Pattern to Arrive Soon

Spring is approaching and I always think of Easter and collecting Easter eggs.

Just touching base and sharing a sneak peak of one of the items from a new pattern I am designing.

I am focusing all my energy on this new pattern release for next week.

Next week, be prepared for a free craft project, a new pattern release and giveaway.

See you soon,

Debra