Zig Zag Cowl

Finally got around to making "Me" something. I made a zig zag cowl neck warmer and im excited about it. I wonder if it will get cool enough around here in North Carolina to ever get to wear it?


I have been practicing making some zig zag, rippled or chevron crochet (psst, check out the chevron mug cozy in my shop ← (I actually created the pattern for this cozy myself).
In the process of learning, I created this cowl neck warmer. I love the colors.  I think I will make a matching hat and then Ill be set.

You can find the free pattern for this cowl here.
If you want the pattern for the cozy, leave your email in comments or something and Ill be glad to send it to you.

It took me a couple hours on and off for about three days to make it. It did not turn out as pretty as the one that inspired me. I have always struggled making zig zag stitches as well as granny squares, but that's another post, another day.

This pattern was pretty easy, however, as I was on the last row, I realized I was doing all wrong. Silly me was using half double crochet instead of double crochet. No idea what I was thinking. It caused the cowl to be little wonky but it will work for me.


I plan to make a couple more of these lovely scarves "the right way". I think I may have the hang of it now but didn't realize all the different ways you can create a stitch like this.  geez!


I think it goes with one of my new sweaters....ok, in an odd way. What do you think?


Ive shared this at:
city-of-links at cityofcreativedreams
thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop at katherinescorner
dare-to-share at pamspartyandpracticaltips
snickerdoodle-sunday 2crochethooks
inspire-me-monday at create-with-joy.com
Amaze-Me-Monday at dwellings-theheartofyourhome



Chocolate Dipped Bacon Brittle

Had ya at bacon didn't I?

While on the computer the other day I came across an awsome looking recipe for candied bacon dipped in chocolate. Now, anyone that knows me, knows my love for bacon. I literally buy 2 packs a week. 

Anyway, I was fixing to head to bed and call it a day when this idea hit me. Why not make brittle with bacon instead of nuts? I thought I had come up with something new and could not wait to experiment.

The next day I headed back to the computer and to my disappointment, it seemed that I along with a hundred other people have already come up with this idea. They must have read my mind during the night.

 
Get a glass bowl ready, this is made in the microwave. I tried it once in a plastic bowl and it ruined both the bowl and sugar. It was just nasty. So Make sure you have a GLASS bowl.

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light syrup (karo)
1/4 Tbs salt
1 Tbs butter
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp baking soda
Bacon crumbles

Combine sugar, syrup and salt.
Microwave 4 minutes (be careful it will be hot and bubbly).
Stir in butter, bacon and vanilla and cook another 4 minutes.
Stir in baking soda an pour quickly onto a greased cookie sheet. Cool approx 20 minutes then break into pieces.
Once completely cool, dip each piece into melted chocolate and lay on wax paper to dry. Sprinkle with sea salt. Enjoy.



Oh. So you like the mug cozy I made too? I just got an order in of these adorable birch buttons from Wearhouse Industries. They were special made for me. Thanks Randy and Laura! I love how they look on these cute crocheted warmers. I sale these mug cozies in my Etsy shop if you want one. I can do all colors.


Ive shared this at:
link-and-share-wednesday at oombawkadesigncrochet
full-plate-thursday at mizhelenscountrycottage
thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop at katherinescorner
submarine-sunday at usscrafty 
inspire-me-monday at create-with-joy
monday-handmade-linkup at judyscardmakingandpapercrafts
something-fabulous-wednesday at roubinek  

Drawstring Beanie

I recently took a couple weeks off from crocheting. I have been suffering from Tennis Elbow something terrible and thought that crocheting could have been causing the pain. I'm not going to rule it out just yet, but It didn't help relieve it by not crocheting, so here I am, right back at it.

I made a couple things for a friends baby and then I made a couple of these cute little drawstring beanies to put in my shop. I fiddled and faddled until I come up with what I believe is now my favorite creation.





The neat thing about this cute little beanie is that it doubles as a neck warmer by just undoing the drawstring. I actually think I will make one for myself. But first I am going to share my pattern for all of you that like to crochet.


You are welcome to use my pattern and sell what you make with it. I just ask if you will link it back to me when you do so I can get credit for the pattern. But please do not sell my pattern. :(

Draw String Beanie:
H Hook (my favorite)
ch= chain
sc= single crochet
dc= double crochet

Ribbed Band
chain 10
Row 1: sc first chain from hook, across. (9) ch 1 turn.
Row 2: sc back loop only across. (9) ch 1 turn.
Repeat: sc back loop only across, ch 1 turn until you have enough to fit around the head.
Form a ring: sc two ends together. -Now your band is made.
no need to ch1. just begin crocheting the beanie in rounds ( you may need a stich marker). I used the tail of the beginning chain to mark my beginning of each row.

Beanie
Row 1: sc around once
Remaining Rows: sc, dc next stitch, skip next stitch, sc, dc next (repeat round and round to desired depth hat needs to be. finish off.

Draw String
ch 100, cut yarn and tie knot in each end.
weave in and out of last row of stitches.
There you have it!

You can alter the size by using less rows and stitches or different size crochet hooks.
You know what else is fun about this pattern? You can use any of your favorite stitches to create any texture you like best.

If you can't crochet and want one of these cute bundle of stitches, just visit my shop to see if any are available. If not, I'll be glad to make one up for ya.


Ive shared this at:
inspire-me-monday at create-with-joy 
amaze-me-monday at dwellings-theheartofyourhome
tuesday-pin-spiration-link-party at oombawkadesigncrochet 
tuesday-pin-spiration at thestitchinmommy
something-fabulous-wednesday at roubinek
link-and-share-wednesday at oombawkadesigncrochet
worthwhile-wednesdays at craftyallieblog
off-the-hook-monday at littlemonkeyscrochet
thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop at katherinescorner

Shark Week

Finally It was time for my week vacation to the beach. We plan it every year about this time and it always seems to fall on shark week.

We started every day the same. We get up around 7:00 each morning and share coffee and breakfast. At 8:00 we rush to the beach to get a spot to place our umbrellas and chairs.


Here in the Carolina's, you cant put your umbrellas out until 8am and they have to be placed behind the life guard post. Everyone like us are in a fight for a good spot usually landing it in the same place each day. You get to know those beside you as you become beach neighbors all week.

Shark week seems to be a big deal lately and the trend is growing. It was really cool when I found a shark tooth while on my morning walk. We also seen a fisherman reel in a shark from the coast.
You see shirts advertising it, kid playing with rubber sharks in wave pools and shows on TV all week about sharks.



 
A couple days started off as usual. Kids playing in the sand, lovers smooching in the ocean while the others rode waves on the boogie boards. Then you hear the whistle of the life guard. Everyone stops to stare as he motions for everyone out of the water. A shark has been spotted.


Curiosity sets in and everyone rushes to get a glimpse of what usually is only like a 3 or 4 ft shark, minding its own business. After about 15 minutes, everyone fearlessly jumps back in.

Other than the shark sightings and the lifeguards jumping in and rescuing a surf board that looked like it had been swallowed and spit out of a whales stomach,  It was just that rough looking and there was nothing to it. Just a surf board. That's about all the shark week excitement we saw. The rest of the time was eating and relaxing in the sun. 

The week is now about over and we have to pack it up and go home. We'll be back again for our usual weekend trips but I still hate to leave.


I will miss having my coffee with  the morning sunrise and the cotton candy sunset in the afternoon.  

If It Fits, Wear It

I seen a status on social media the other day where someone mentioned that two piece bathing suits should not be made in big sizes, then said "just because a two piece bathing suit fits, does not mean you should be wearing it". I didn't get much of a chuckle out of that being on the heavier side myself.

A lot of people do not mean harm or mean to be ugly in what they say. I think they just don't see the other side of reason.

I'll admit, I have made fun of people. Its usually in the way they act or behave. There are so many sizes and shapes of people. Every "body" has a story and everyone is Gods creation and is beautiful. Ugliness is an attitude.

About that 200+ lb. lady walking down the beach in her bikini:

  • Maybe that woman spent 3 hours crying about how she looked before getting the confidence to wear a two piece like all the other women.
  • Maybe her husband spent hours to convinced her to have no shame because he likes how it looked on her.
  • Maybe at one time that lady was 400lbs and struggled hard to get where she is and she feels beautiful now.
  • Maybe that overweight woman has children that she spends all her time with and never has time to exercise. Gyms are expensive ya know. So is weight watchers.
  • Maybe that woman can not afford to buy health foods that only she will eat and has to rely on bread and potatoes to keep her and her family satisfied.
  • Maybe that woman once struggled with anorexia or was made fun of for being so skinny and took years to over come it. 

Before anyone judges what people should wear, weather it be bikinis or spandex, they all have a story. No one wakes up in the morning and says "I love being fat" or "I love being skinny". Ive been in both places and Its hard to loose weight especially after 40. A lot of young people have never and will never see skinny. They were just born that way.

I think a woman is beautiful when she feels beautiful no matter what she wears or how she wears it. It doesn't matter if she's 50 lbs. or 500 lbs. She should love herself and have confidence. If a person feels good, then its all good. If they feel bad health wise, then they should do something about it. But until then, I say, "If it fits wear it!"  That goes for the men too. You are beautiful!
 
Ive shared this at:

White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

I'm fixing to share with you some really super duper, easy peasy ,good and yummy oatmeal cookies you must make today. It will only take 6  ingredients and 15 minutes of your time. I guess you can call them healthy too, right? I mean, oatmeal is good for you isn't it? Ok, ill stick to that.


So, grab a bowl and fork and get started. Yes, I just mixed them up with a fork. Here goes.

Wait, did I say they were easy?


White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 stick of butter (softened)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 Cup Self rising Flour
  • 2 cups uncooked oatmeal (Quick cooking but not instant)
  • 1 Teaspoon honey (optional)
  • *Mini white chocolate chips
  * you can omit the chocolate if you just want plain oatmeal cookies

Place by the spoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
Use a spoon to flatten them out a little.
Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. (The bottoms will brown but the tops stay light)
Also, the cookies seem soft a gooey at first but will firm as they cool.

I just could not stop eating these things! They were not too crunchy and not too chewy. They were just right. We were eating them right off the cooling rack.


They are perfect with a glass of milk for a late night snack. Well, ok, maybe not. I'm pretty wired right now. I think I ate about five cookies without even thinking. I may not go sleep for a while now. 
Seriously, though, they are good.

I lost count on how many this recipe made but I think it was about 2 dozen. My daughter wants to take some to share at the office where she works. Im thinking they will earn her a few brownie points.

Oh! did I just say brownies? Lord have mercy on my sweet tooth.


Ive shared this at:
made-by-me at jaqsstudio
worthwhile-wednesdays at thecraftiestallie
full plate thursday at mizhelenscountrycottage
thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop at katherinescorner
submarine-sunday at usscrafty
snickerdoodle-sunday-40 at 2crochethooks

Baked Parmesan Egg Plant

The only time I usually eat egg plant is when I visit an Italian restaurant and order the Egg Plant Parmesan. Why? Well, mainly because my Husband does not like it. I don't want to make a big mess of a meal on these things when me and my daughter are the only ones that will eat them.

One of the employees where I work is away bringing us fresh cucumbers and tomatoes out of his garden. The other day he just so happened to bring me a fresh egg plant too. It was rather small but perfect for me to make this tasty baked egg plant. I thought, what the heck, it was free and who doesn't like free food.


First you need to cut off the ends and slice it. The thickness is up to you but may result in shorter or longer cooking time and alter the crispness.


Spread mayonnaise on just one side of each slice (not real thick, just a nice thin spread) and then add Parmesan cheese.


Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes at 400 degrees.


This is a great quick and easy appetizer or side dish. I eat them without any dip but they would taste great with marinara sauce or ranch dressing.
I mean, come on, we all know that ranch dressing taste good on anything.

Oh and how did my husband like them? eeeh, he ate a couple of them with out complaints but still not a fan.


Ive shared this at:
amaze-me-monday at dwellings
monday-handmade-linkup at judyscardmakingandpapercrafts
mix-it-up-monday at flourmewithlove
made-by-me at jaqsstudio
full-plate-thursday at mizhelenscountrycottage
worthwhile-wednesdays at thecraftiestallie