Happy Halloween

"Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." John 8:12

Happy Halloween Everyone.

Slipper Boots

I made these Slipper Boots from a pattern in Simple Slippers In Crochet using an F hook and Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Chelsea Twist colorway. I had to do a little math with this one since I have small feet but I am happy with them and I like the warmer boot style for winter when it’s cooler. These are very comfy. I also doubled the sole so they would have more cushion. Besides that I love the colors in this yarn. They are purple with red and green twisted in.

Corner Bookmark

Looking through the library they didn’t have much in the way of crochet books but one I looked at was Crochet: Fantastic Jewelry, Hats, Purses, Pillows and More By Jane Davis. It’s meant to be a children/teens book but I liked the corner bookmark. I don’t remember if that’s what it’s called in the book since I just jotted it down quickly because I didn’t want to check out the book for one small pattern. I did change the pattern slightly but not much.I used a size 7 steel hook and size 10 pink crochet thread that I had lurking in my stash. I will be giving it to a close friend of mine who loves pink for the holidays. It's meant to fit over a few pages on the corner of a book as you see in the picture here.

Warning - Candy, Coffee & Milk Tea Recall

I wanted to make my readers aware of a story I read today which involves mainly a candy recall but also mentions coffee & milk tea products. I especially wanted to note this story because of the Halloween season and those with children that will be getting candy from trick or treating or parties. Please take care, read the story and be informed on what is coming into your home.

Story Link:
Melamine-Tainted Candy Recall

Pattern Picks - Mummy Halloween Treat Bag

In honor of our Loopy Dude this Pattern Pick is the spook-tacular I Want My Mummy Halloween treat bag from Drew Emborsky "The Crochet Dude". Just the thing for your ghosts and goblins to collect their Halloween treats in this year so grab your hooks and get wrapped up in this wickedly fun project. Thanks Drew!

Loopy Dude

It's Loopy Monday dude, but not just any dude. Tonight's 27th Getting Loopy show featured Drew Emborsky "The Crochet Dude" talking about his book The Crochet Dude's Designs for Guys along with his many other patterns. Drew is living proof that real men can and do crochet! The ladies are not alone. So men give a listen and take up your hooks with pride. Apart from all that Drew is just plain fun and warm hearted and that comes across in this show. We have asked and asked publishers for real clothes for real people and not some French runway show stuff no one can wear put on real looking models. Well this book has it! No it's not just scarves and hats. Real guys wearing real crochet items that real guys would want so run over, listen to the show and go get yourself a copy of the book. Lets let those publisers know that real is what we want and real is what we will support.

Hop on over and check out of the archive if you didn't get to hear it. Links and all the info can be found at Getting Loopy. [G.L. link in this posts header and also on the right sidebar]

Squash and Pinto Beans

Squash and Pinto Beans

Ingredients
¼ cup vegetable broth
½ cup onion chopped
hot sauce to taste
2 garlic cloves minced
1 cup yellow squash sliced ½ inch thick
1 cup zucchini sliced ½ inch thick
½ cup corn kernels
1 16oz. can pinto beans drained
1 14.5oz. can diced tomatoes un-drained
3 fresh thyme sprigs
4 servings cooked brown rice

• Heat broth in a large pan over medium high heat. Add onion, hot sauce, and garlic and saute 2 minutes then stir in squash and zucchini and saute 2 more minutes. Add corn, beans, tomatoes and their liquid, and thyme.
• Cover and reduce heat, simmering 10 minutes.
• Discard thyme. Serve over cooked rice.

Makes 4 Servings

Green Halloween

Now and then good old Seattle kicks up a movement can be really proud of even though I'm not a WA native. Green Halloween is such a movement and now they are going nation-wide. I think this little blurb from their page sums it up really great and I hope you will go over and take a look for yourself, for our children and for our one and only planet which has sustained us all these many years and could use a bit of help now in return.

We hope that Green Halloween will inspire YOU to think outside the candy-box. We are dedicated to offering fun, healthy, affordable, not-too-time consuming ideas that will support your goal of creating a Halloween that is happy and healthy for your kids and the planet we all share.

Pattern Picks - Basket Liners

Curbly has some suggestions on Crocheting Basket Liners. I think that though it's not a specific pattern since basket sizes and shapes vary it still has some good advice on how to make a good crocheted liner. Check it out for yourself and see what you think.

Pattern Picks - Crocheted Ring Bracelet

Diane over at craft stylish has a very nice little tutorial on How to Make a Crocheted Ring Bracelet. The directions are clear with lots of pictures and I thought there would make nice stocking stuffer gifts for teen and tween girls this holiday season.

Charity Spotlight - Make A Cap

Another new feature here at TFB will be crocheting for charity. I want to spotlight some worthy causes especially now that we are coming closer to the season of giving. The only thing that makes the over commercialized holiday bearable for me is to remember the true meaning of the season. The birth of Jesus and the wise men coming with gifts, not a list of give me that needed to be checked twice. Of course you must all do what is right for yourselves but if you would like to make some gifts for charity I hope you will find at least one of the causes I will be posting over time a worthy one. That said I post my first crochet charity spotlight.

Save The Children is running a Make A Cap campaign. Now though it is called Knit One Save One, they also accept crocheted caps. I will quote here from their own site and you can take a look for yourself if you wish to participate.

By keeping a baby warm, your cap can save a life. Just download our Action Kit and you’ll get a variety of easy patterns for knitters or crocheters, as well as instructions for writing a letter to the new President.

Loopy Rwanda & Caron Yarns

Tonight's 26th Getting Loopy show featured Cari Clements talking about her job as design director of Caron Yarns. Cari also talked about her work with Rwanda Knits, and their Auctions [mark the dates: October 16-26, 2008]. There will some new yarns coming out and some discontinued. Which ones? I'm not going to tell you. You're just going to have to go listen, so there. ;-) Seriously this 45 minutes flies by. It's so interesting just to hear about how they came to pick Rwanda and what the women there have gone through. Amazing! Even if you're not a crocheter just go listen and then go look at the Auction items. Ever wonder where those samples go that you see pictured in pattern books and magazines? Well some of them are there straight from the designers own stash! 50% of the final auction price will also be tax deductible plus you are helping a great cause. What more can you want? No you can not have free yarn! ;-)

Hop on over and check out of the archive if you didn't get to hear it. Links and all the info can be found at Getting Loopy. [G.L. link in this posts header and also on the right sidebar]

Walla Walla Sweet Onion Quiche

Ingredients:
3 tbsp butter
1 large walla walla sweet onion diced
½ cup sour cream
1 12oz. can evaporated milk
1 packet dry leek soup mix
3 eggs
1½ cup monterey jack cheese shredded
1 9 inch deep dish frozen pie crust

• Preheat oven to 375o F.
  
• Saute butter and onion, cooking until lightly caramelized. Remove from heat and whisk in sour cream then slowly whisk in evaporated milk. Whisk in dry soup mix until completely incorporated then whisk in eggs. Mix in the shredded cheese until blended. Line a pie dish with the unbaked pie crust and pour mixture carefully into it. Place pie on a cookie sheet and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes.

Makes 8 servings

Happy Green Carnival Rabbit9

Woooooooooo! Guess what guess what!! I got picked to be in Carnival of Green Crafts #7. My pattern for a Plarn Grocery Bag is featured in this issue along with several very other cool crafts. I'm really happy and flattered that my bag has been so popular. I've had 178 people get my pattern so far and I believe this honor may push it over the top of 200. I never guessed my simple pattern would be so wanted. It really is an honor to me since it's the first crochet pattern I made up and wrote down as I was doing it and tried to remember to take pictures for the pdf as I was going at key points. It was a real experience for me to have so many people appreciate my work. It's truly a blessing to me. I'm so grateful to God and to everyone that requested the pattern download. Thank you all so much and thank you also to Carnival of Green Crafts #7 for their recognition.

Pet Yarn Chic

You worked a long day and now it's time to settle down and relax. You have your crochet together, a good movie on and a nice cup of tea. You're set. You sit down into your favorite chair and within minutes you realize you're wearing a blanket that never saw a hook belonging to you or anyone else. Yup, your favorite pet has shed enough hair to make you look like a wookie with one sit down. What is a crocheter to do? Of course you love your pet to no end. No way you are going to do without that sweet fluffy face! However it's time for fluffy and duke to start earning their share and adding to the coffers of your stash instead of your laundry and housekeeping. So you say yeah Rabbit9, I can dig that but where are you going with this? What do I do, hook up my dog to my ball winder? Well, yes and no. It's time to tame the shed. Gather up the hair and go check out Pet Yarn Chic. They can take all the brushed shed [no clipped hair] and make it into yarn. At last you can make a sweater that you can actually take off and put on at will. Costs are on the page but I think after the initial set up this would be worth it if you have a heavy shedding or multiple animal[s]. You need to brush your animals anyway for their health and your housekeeping anyway so why not fatten your stash in reward for all your work at the same time? Take a look and see if it's worth it for you.

It’s absolutely easy … and fun,too! When you join Pet Yarn Chic you begin the process of regularly gathering and saving your pet’s shed or groomed fur and hair for your homespun yarn. We supply you, or your pet groomers, with a starter kit of hair collection instructions and shipping labels. As you send us your collected pet hair, we hand-spin it into yarn, and mail the finished yarn back to you. We will continue to spin your pet hair into yarn for as long as you like…whether it’s for one project…or for many projects to come.

Pattern Picks - Chic Crochet Cloche & Scarf

Continuing in my spotlight on other blogs and pattern post I just had to throw a little light on this scarf and hat pattern and thought it was just beautiful and right on time for the fall weather. Well done to Coats for their Chic Crochet Cloche & Scarf pattern.

Manuf®actured

Museum of Contemporary Craft page has up a really keen display called Manuf®actured: The conspicuous transformation of everyday objects and that's just what it is. The exhibit has several really killer crafty displays that are really inspirational such as art made from: re-crafted cardboard and polystyrene, sculptured lipsticks, hair that's been manipulated in every way imaginable, incredible intricate lace doilies, cut out container sculptures, mosaic-ed marker caps & thread spools, Marcel Wanders Knotted Chair, Hexagon wallpapers and the pièce de résistance [IMO] of the show Crochet Cube table. Holy cow! If you can't get inspired by that then I just don't know what. That cube is just too cool for words and I want one in the worst way. :-D Go check it out.

Pattern Picks - Indian Corn

I've decided to add a new feature to my little blog world. I occasionally come across some nice patterns on the net and I've decided to share some of those links with all of you. There will be some from yarn sites and I will also feature some blogs. There are tons of patterns out there as you know and this is just a sampling of things that happen to appeal to me. If you have a pattern on your blog or don't have a blog but want to share a pattern you know of feel free to comment in to me.

So without further ado Create! blog and the Indian Corn crochet pattern. These are just so adorable and are just perfect for your autumn decor. You may want to also check out the other recent posts of The Cutest Pumpkin Out There (And How To Make It!) & Crochet Halloween 2008 which highlights some of the Etsy shop Halloween items. Well done Create! !

Loopy Passion 4 Fashion

Yes it's Loopy Monday once again. Due to some technical difficulties Dora was a little late so we got to hear from ZoomieJr, a frequent flier in the chats and also Doris Chan dropped in for a few to tell us some of her late breaking news. Dora Ohrenstein did show up though as tonight's 25th Getting Loopy show featured her new book The Crochet Insiders Passion 4 Fashion and her work with Stitch Cooperative, indie pattern distribution by and for designers.

Hop on over and check out of the archive if you didn't get to hear it. Links and all the info can be found at Getting Loopy. [G.L. link in this posts header and also on the right sidebar]

Rabbit9's Zucchini Bread

Rabbit9's Zucchini Bread

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
½ cup butter softened
2 eggs
1¾ cups all purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup finely grated raw and unpeeled zucchini
½ cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon vanilla

• Preheat oven to 350° F and grease a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan.
• In a large bowl cream sugar and butter together. Beat in eggs. Combine flour, salt, baking soda and nutmeg. Stir half the flour mixture into the butter mixture. Add the zucchini and the rest of the flour mixture and blend well. Stir in walnuts and vanilla until completely mixed.
• Pour into greased pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Cool in pan for about 5 minutes then move to a wire rack and finish cooling.

Small Town Living

Small Town Living is a free pdf magazine and the October - November issue is out. I've been reading these for some time and it is appropriately named. It often has simple living tips and craft related articles. Some of my favorite articles from this issue are as follows.

Small Town Business Basics by Rich Musgrave
Which is some thoughts on how to make and keep your business more profitable.

Not Your Grandmother’s Aprons by Bev Frankeny
Is a pretty cool article about the old fashioned type of aprons, you know, actually functional. It also has some links included for pattern resource so you sewers might want to check it out.

Homemade Cheese by: Kristina Ecker
Real cool article for anyone that has had an interest in how to make simple mozzarella at home. Yummy.

The Art of Rescuing Vintage Textiles by LuAnn Smith, Artisan
Now we are getting into the crafty stuff. If you either have some vintage fabric or want some this is a must read in this issue. They also have some resource links.

Frugal Living 33 Ways to Save and Stretch Your Dollars
Self explanatory and who couldn't use and extra money saving tip these days.

To get your issue follow the link above and click on the picture to download the pdf. Back issues are also available on that page and some of those are very good too like the August - September issue witch has an article on spinning fiber.

Lion Newsletter

The 1st Lion newsletter for October is out and the Halloween fun has begun. In this issue you will find Halloween candy bags & amigurumi candy corn, loom-knit slippers, over 70% off easy scarf kits, the trim of the week is crochet slip fringe and if you click the link for the Lola cartoon there are some extra links for a candy corn felted treat bag, amigurumi lollipops & amigurumi roll candy. Lots of cute things to get your spooky started.

Adventures In Frogging

With all love and respect to the tech editors that have to run through patterns and make sure they are correct, sort out the math and what not. I know it's a tough job but I just have to interject a wee rant here.

Now with a free pattern grabbed off the net by someone not used to writing a pattern one might expect some mistakes. However! When I drop cash I expect the patterns have been gone over enough that it should be reasonably easy to sort out the pattern and get it complete with a relative amount of ease. Lately I found several errors in a publication and I felt a little teeny bit annoyed after paying for this.

Now I will grant you we are all human and I'm not going to name names but deal with the party privately. Nothing is perfect. That said don't we have some right when paying for a pattern[s] to be able to make them without having to rewrite the pattern to try to get something that actually works?

One of the patterns with a mistake was a hat that was just a math nightmare. Increases and decreases just didn't match up with the end totals at all. This threw everything off because there were certain turns and joins that didn't line up properly to be able to complete the pattern. I frogged it over and over and tried to get it to work out. The last round of frogging lead me to actually sit down and try to rewrite the pattern so I could actually make the hat. It was at that point that this rant post started to form. I thought to my self what in the world am I doing?

I just paid for a pattern that I have to write! I really didn't know if I should laugh or cry. Now I don't spend money on published patterns and books often because I'm on a really tight budget right now. I felt really frustrated. I felt I just spent money that was scrimped for a treat on something that was nearly useless. Yes I'm experienced enough that I probably can sit down and sort it out in the end but that's not the point. I put it aside for now and perhaps at some point I will take it out when the frustration has passed and do just that. I guess I'm just disappointed that my "treat" ended up being more of a headache than anything else.

What in the world could have happened? How could something with so many errors come through from editing to publishing? Did the editor have any crochet experience at all? I may never know the answers but I really hope the industry does their very best to improve. In the current economy who can afford to toss good money at a luxury item [yes I consider pattern books a luxury item as compared to necessities like food and rent] that isn't going to be usable? Not many.

Has something like this happened to you? Have you ever been frustrated with a pattern or book? Post a comment and share your story. Thank you readers if you're still with me after all that. I feel a bit better now. Okay, where's my hook. ;-)

3 White Mice

These are my 3 white mice made from KristieMN's, Little Mouse pattern, from Crochetville. The pattern is very easy to follow. Thank you Kristie. There are some slight variations from the pattern in that I used size 10 crochet thread and a size 7 hook. I also opted to embroider the mouse eyes instead of using beads as well as the nose. I think they are very sweet. The coin in the photo is a U.S. half dollar piece that I included for a size reference.

Loopy Kids

I scream, you scream we all scream for Loopy Monday. Tonight's 24th Getting Loopy show featured Phyllise Sandford and Sharon Mann talking about crochet for kids in their book Crochet Kid Stuff. It has 20 fun projects to make for for boys and girls. How do two people from Las Vagas and New York collaborate on a crochet book? The same way they handled the G.L. interview, teamwork and lots of phone calls. Phyllise and Sharon, who both have a background in art, fielded questions on their book and for those of you with the for legged kids there was a discussion on sweaters for dogs as well. How do you size those furry pal sweaters anyway? Tune in and listen. Lots of fun in this show and great info from these two talented ladies.

Hop on over and check out of the archive if you didn't get to hear it. Links and all the info can be found at Getting Loopy. [G.L. link in this posts header and also on the right sidebar]

Note: The dog coats mentioned are not in the kids book but there is info in the G.L. show on where to get them so go listen. Just wanted to be clear on that.

Fall Festival Virtual Arts & Crafts Show Opens

The first-ever Fall Festival Virtual Arts & Crafts Show opens today and runs to to Nov. 7th and it is run by American Craft Guide. Whether you're getting a head start on your holiday shopping or doing some casual browsing, we know you'll find lots of great handmade merchandise made right here in America! Be sure to check out each of the exhibitor's booths to find show specials and discounts!

Interesterified Oil

I came across this little tidbit of information and thought it would be interesting to share with you how the food industry is making changes but not necessarily in our best interest. One more reason to eat local, cook your own food and move into a healthier diet.

Q: What are interesterified oils? Are they less harmful than trans fats?

A: The food industry is phasing out artery-clogging trans fat, found in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils used in cookies, crackers and other processed foods. As an alternative, some companies are using interesterified oils, vegetable oils chemically altered to provide the properties of partially hydrogenated oils without the trans fat. More research is needed to determine the effect of interesterified oils on health. However, a recent study published in Nutrition and Metabolism suggests that they may lower HDL "good" cholesterol and raise blood sugar, increasing the risks for coronary artery disease and diabetes. For now, play it safe. Read labels, and avoid partially hydrogenated and interesterified oils. Choose foods made with canola, safflower, corn, olive and other unprocessed vegetable oils.

Source: Suzanne Havala Hobbs, DrPH, RD, clinical assistant professor, department of health policy and administration, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

My oil of choice is olive usually but hey, I'm Italian, it may be genetic. Never the less, it's tasty and as oils go pretty darn good for you. Now what you really want to know. What are you cooking with that olive oil Rabbit9? Here my friends is the tasty answer I'm sharing with you. This tasty soup is adapted it from Vegetarian cookbook by Linda Fraser. Thanks so much to her for a warm health soup to go with our crisp fall weather. As always, feel free to improvise. If you don't like white beans, try black. A bean is a bean and they all have something good for you so don't stress it.

White Bean Soup

Ingredients:
1½ cups dried cannellini or other white beans
1 bay leaf
3 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
1 celery rib, finely chopped
3 medium tomatoes, peeled and finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
3 cups boiling water
ground black pepper
Olive oil, to serve

• Pick over the beans carefully, discarding any stones or other particles. Rinse thoroughly in cold water to ensure that they are clean. Soak in a large bowl of cold water overnight. Drain the beans and place them in a large saucepan of water, bring to a boil and cook for 20 minutes. Drain. Return the beans to the pan, cover with cold water and bring to a boil again. Add the bay leaf and simmer for 1-2 hours or until the beans are tender. Drain again. Remove the bay leaf.
• Puree about three-quarters of the beans in a food processor or blender, adding a little water if necessary, to create a smooth paste.
• Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Stir in the onion and cook until it softens. Add the carrot and celery, and cook for 5 minutes more.
• Stir in the tomatoes, garlic and thyme. Cook 6-8 minutes more, stirring often.
• Pour in the boiling water. Stir in the beans and the bean puree. Season with pepper. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. Serve in individual soup bowls, sprinkled with a little olive oil.

Makes 6 servings

Creativity & Spinning and Weaving Week

I was reading a recent article in The New York Times called We’ll Fill This Space, but First a Nap. I want to first quote a piece of it so you know what I'm talking about.

Dr. Ellenbogen’s research at Harvard indicates that if an incubation period includes sleep, people are 33 percent more likely to infer connections among distantly related ideas, and yet, as he puts it, these performance enhancements exist “completely beneath the radar screen.” In other words, people are more creative after sleep, but they don’t know it.

Now I have to say I can't agree more. When you are so tired from running and doing for everyone including you it just saps your creativity. There have been a few times where after a good solid sleep I was able to sort out a problem I was having with a pattern or been able to come up with something new.

I encourage you to get some good sleep and boost your creativity. You never know what gorgeous designs await when you wake. Yes, it's simple and it's something you probably know already but when is the last time you really acted on it?

Now for all you spinners and weavers out there. Boogie on over to the Handweavers Guild of America for lots of ideas to celebrate Spinning and Weaving Week [Oct 4th to the 10th]. Just click the picture below to get there. Look for the same picture on the linked page and click it to get their free pdf download of the poster size for you club or group to help spread the word.

Project Interests

Everyone has their own little niche. Sometimes we gravitate more to one type of project or another. For me I notice I've made a lot of hats and little things for my nieces. Which isn't to say I don't like other things to. I tend to do more practice projects like the "ears" project I just finished. I just like having the use of something. Sure there have been doilies too just because I thought the pattern was pretty. So I wonder what my readers think. Where do your interests lie? Lets find out. If there is a category you feel I've left out or would just like to tell me more about the crochet projects you love, please feel free to use the comments section.
Note: Sorry for the gap but it has something to do with the page layout and I can't change it. Please scroll down and take the poll

free polls at easy-poll What types of crochet projects interest you the most.
	Accessories/Hats/Socks/Bags
	Afghans/Blankets
	Amigurumi/Toys
	Clothing/Children
	Clothing/Men
	Clothing/Teen
	Clothing/Women
	HouseholdDecorative/Doilies
	HouseholdUsable/Dishcloth/PotHolder
	Pets
boblasvegas.com

Interweave Crochet Survey

Interweave Crochet is running a survey. Now I have to say right off that I.C. is a really great crochet magazine. They are one of the two magazines I actually put down money to subscribe to. They are up on the cutting edge and it's not just doilies and afghans [though I also dig doilies and afghans]. Now I.C. love aside I have to say I have a few pet peeves.

To get the free crochet patterns I have to join up to get the knitting newsletter. Say what??? Now I can knit very basic stuff and I have no bad feeling toward knitters. BUT! I am a crocheter and I'm a little tired of being asked to step to the back of the bus. They have I.C. so why not have an I.C. newsletter to go with it so we can opt to get a newsletter that actually goes toward our interest.

I was also sent the info on taking the I.K. survey and the information that weather or not you did the knitting survey you could get a free download of a knitting pattern. No such offer was made for the crocheters. No this is not a whinge about not getting free stuff. It's the principle of the thing. There are more crocheters than knitters out there so why are we at not at least getting equal time?

I encourage all of you to go out and fill out the crochet survey and let I.C. know that we are just as important as the knitters. We need some love too and we will not be quiet any longer. Raise up your hooks and your voices. Be heard and take a stand for your crochet WORK. Yes it's just as much work as knitting. Lets stand up for our designers who can't make a living wage by doing what they love unless they have so much going I don't know how they keep their schedule straight let alone have a life, family and raise kids.

Now some of you may think this is an off sprout of Monday's CLF show on Loopy. Well yes and no. I have been tired for a long time that it's always knit and crochet at whatever places have both. As though crochet is an after though. Well it's not. It takes skill and work and so on just like knitting does. The CLF show just reminded me that I need to speak up on this once again. We need to make our stand and get the love we deserve. We have hooks, we’re not afraid to use ‘em and you will be assim….that is…woven in. Yeah! ;-)

"The deadly Hydra now is the hydra of Equality. Liberty, Equality and Fraternity is the three-fanged serpent."
Lawrence, D. H.