Simple Border for Wall Hanging

(or anything for that matter)

 

As I went went bargain hunting at a local discount store for various items needed for some more craft fair projects, I ran across these simple but cute cloth calendars for hanging in the kitchen. The price was right, and I figured a simple, yet pretty border would liven these right up. Once I figured out the pattern I would create that would look just right, it worked up in no time.

     

Med. Worsted weight yarn (Caron's Simply Soft or similar quality) and size G crochet hook used.


BEGIN:


With tapestry needle, work a simple stitch evenly around sides and inside top of cloth. Tie off.

Base round, each side, crochet: multiple  of 10 + 5 + corner stitches (for sc, 3 sc in corner st) 

Round 1: ch 1, sc in same stitch and in next 4 sts *, [sc in next 2 sts, (sc, ch5,sc) in next st,  sc in next 7 sts] to corner st. In center corner stitch, (sc, ch 5, sc) –corner group made**, sc in next 5 sts; repeat from * around, ending last rep at **, join with sl st to 1^st sc. 

Round 2: ch 1, sc in same stitch, *(ch2, sc in 2^nd ch from hook), sc in next sc in round 1, ch 1, skip 3 sc, dc, ch 1, sc in ch 5 sp, ch 1,  ch 2, sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in ch5 sp, ch 1, dc in 2^nd sc from ch 5 sp, ch 1, skip 3 sc, sc, repeat from * around. Join w/ sl st to 1^st sc of row. Finish off.


Spray starch on backside of cloth and border, being sure to only apply a small amount of pressure gently to the crocheted area. Hang and enjoy.

Preparing for my first craft fair

So, yesterday I signed up for my first craft fair. (I'm rather excited!) Last week I began making some more projects to fill my table. So, with school books and teacher's manuals on my lap, and crochet hook and yarn in hands, I continue to homeschool my nine year old daughter. It actually works out rather nicely multi-tasking this way-she gets her school work done, and I can quietly and patiently sit as she works on her papers.
  Here are a few things I've made this past week.

Oriental Vegetable Stir Fry

Here is a recipe that is the result of a spur of the moment meal I had to create when my vegetarian daughter came over for an unannounced visit around feeding time one day. There are seven in the family, four of them full grown hungry humans of the male persuasion, and 2 pounds of pasta to be fully consumed is the norm for one meal around here, so plan accordingly as you prepare this dish if you have a small family. I tried getting a picture for you, but my new camera still has some issues with downloading the pictures, so you'll have to trust me-this meal looks delicious, as it is delicious! (And I am not one partial to lots of vegetables at once, unfortunately). Enjoy!

Oriental Vegetable Stir Fry 

    Ingredients:
    
   1 Large Green Pepper, thinly sliced

·       2 Large Onions, thinly sliced

·       2 Bunches Broccoli Florets

·       1 Lb. Carrots, peeled and thinly sliced

·        3 Tbsp White Cooking Wine

·        2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar

·        1 Tbsp Dark Soy Sauce
    3 Tbsp Honey

·        1 Tsp Ginger

·        1 C Water

·        1 Tsp Beef Bouillon  or 1 cube

·        2 Tbsp “regular” Soy Sauce

·        2 Tbsp Olive Oil or Sesame Oil

·        3 Tbsp Sugar

1.     Boil or steam broccoli to desired tenderness.  Set aside.

2.     Meanwhile, in a hot skillet or wok, add 3 Tbsp olive oil, or enough to accommodate cooking the green peppers and onions. When oil is heated, add peppers and onions and stir fry till tender crisp or desired consistency.  Place in a covered container to keep warm, and set aside.

3.     Cook carrots in olive oil the same way. Set aside and keep warm.

4.     In small sauce pan, add remaining ingredients and cook on medium heat until sugar is melted and sauce is heated through.

5.     Mix 1 Tbsp corn starch and a small amount of water together till blended. Stir into sauce and continue stirring till sauce has thickened.  Turn off heat and cover to keep warm.

6.      On a large platter (or two) put 2 lbs cooked angel hair, vermicelli,  spagetti, rice noodles,  or  a comparable amount of rice. (4 cups of rice, before it is cooked)

7.     Layer the vegetables over the pasta or rice, then pour sauce over vegetables.

8.     Serve immediately.

Completed crochet projects

Here are some pictures of some projects from the past.  Some have been designed by me, others are made from patterns. Most all have been gifts, or are for sale at a nearby gift shop in town. I have receive requests for patterns for a few of these. In time I hope to have them written up. The patterns will be posted on this blog when they are.

Granny Square Afghan link

A joint project some women and I put together for a woman at our church as a little "We love you" reminder

My first post

  Ok. So, Facebook seems to have lost it's zest, and some of my "friends" have seem to become less friendly. I can tend to be very talkative at times, and even more so when it comes to the written word. Many don't like that.

    My free time is limited, my outside contact with others very limited, so I took advantage of Facebook and used that as one way for me to not stay isolated. It enabled me to keep in contact, even a bit, with others I would not have the opportunity to otherwise, and also to get to know others a bit more than I would have been able to.

  However, I suspect that I have put up one too many pictures of all my crocheting stuff and my kids on Facebook, and butted into one too many "private" public "conversations" there for all to read.  Lol. I guess I'm  just going to have to start "bragging" on, ie-posting, my kids and crocheting and other things here.

  Crochet websites have lost their savor a bit as well for me. Even ETSY, which I have managed to sell one thing from it in one year. :P

  So, I guess I will begin sharing my patterns and pictures I have and will create, here, for free, despite the dreams I had of making some money on them. I have been asked numerous times for my patterns, and also if I had a blog which I record my patterns and work.  I have developed my love and skills for crocheting because of the many free patterns I have had access to. It would appear I am to give back what I have been blessed with as well, in the same manner, since money to help pay the bills is not falling out of the sky and publishers are not knocking my front door down trying to pursue me because of  my "wonderful" patterns. I will not give up quite so easily, however, on my poetry and music. 

   I suspect this will be my next time consuming task which shall steal my sweet sleep from me from time to time. (and perhaps keep a load or two of laundry sitting a bit longer than desired).