2011, not my best year

This year brought a lot of troubles to our family.  My loving husband, Jeremiah was diagnosed with testicular cancer.  In a year we expected to be celebrating our son's senior year in high school setting in motion his college plans.  Our daughter turning 13, I suppose that is something to celebrate, instead we have been in hospitals for surgeries and intensive chemotherapy for my husband.  Spending our kid's college funds to stay afloat on 1/4 of our normal income. 

Jeremiah and I shortly before he was diagnosed with cancer

This year also brought a lot of joy. Time to come together as a family, finding some genuine friends in unexpected places, and teaching us a lot about ourselves.  My children have had to grow up very fast this year, taking on even more responsibility than their ages deemed necessary.  They both have done so without a complaint. Well, a few complaints, but with all this worry some complaining keeps you sane.
I am looking forward to 2012, my honey is starting physical therapy, to help him heal from the side effects of his chemo.  He will be returning to work in a few months.  My son is applying to colleges, and I am considering returning to school as well.

Our family in the midst of coping with chemo, at our son's last home game of high school

Jeremiah on a recent day trip to SF before his appt at UCSF

Starting to look like himself again. So happy that the biggest hurdle of his fight against cancer is over!

I have started some crafting again. Finding fun and relaxation in making our Christmas cards to send out, crocheting and sewing gifts. I have also become a 4H leader, heading up the sewing group and co-leading the crafts group.  My daughter is very involved with 4H and is looking forward to a very busy year.
Now to get back to blogging about my crafts, projects, and life in general!

Here is a random selection of projects I completed this year

I made my son's date's Prom dress

It turned out just how she imagined

My favorite detail, and very large yellow rose

A sewing tote bag for my daughter

Denim skirt I made for a sew-along

The second skirt I created for the sew-along

Lovely dress in progress for my daughter from vintage fabric

Owl pin cushion project for my 4H Sewing Group

Spring Colors Waffle Weave Scarf-Shawl

Scrappy Scarf and Large Flower

Zigzag Bag

Ruffled Pillow I worked on while watching over my love in the hospital

Scrappy Fascinator

Special Olympics Scarves Completed

The last two scarves I set as my goal are complete, time to send them off!   Northern California reached their goal of 175, so I am shipping mine off to South Dakota as their deadline is fast approaching and still have not received enough scarves for their participants.  There are still several states reporting a need, and there is still a little time for anyone who would like to help.  

  I started teaching my daughter how to use the serger today.  She needs to know how for the project she is undertaking for her 4H Fashion Review in April.  I also made a few scarves to list on my etsy store.  Filling inventory slowly but surely.  Proud of myself for finally committing to sell some of my things.  I hope the feedback from the world is as good as it is from my friends and family.  Check out the link to my new shop!   Merriven's Etsy Shop 

I am also looking for a few testers for a crocheted hat pattern I wrote before listing it.  Anybody who would like to participate send me your email and I will give you information about being a tester.  Should have a knowledge of front and back post crochet.  Hope you all have a great weekend and wonderful Valentines Day! 

Waffle Weave Scarf

I promised more details about my waffle weave scarf.  I used this pattern from Lion Brand: Waffle Stitch Scarf but made some alterations to it.  I used Red Heart Blue and Turqua per the Scarf Project for Special Olympics guidelines.  Using Blue as my main color and turqua as the accent.  I started the scarf with blue, following the pattern, then at about four inches into the pattern I added a band of 4 rows of Single crochet in turqa then continued the waffle pattern.  When I got to 4 inches from my goal length of 60 inches, I added the second band. I finished off the pattern and proceeded to weave a double strand of Turqua on both sides of the scarf in the squares formed by the waffle pattern, leaving long strands at the end, for tying off and fringe.  I then went back between the lengths of turqua with the blue filling in the fringe. Pretty simple, but kicked up the style a bit.  I am very happy with how this one came out, and I think when I am done with my goal for the scarf project I will have to make myself one as well. 

A Sneaky Peek at Scarf #2 for the 2011 Special Olympics

Details and pattern information to follow soon. 

Scarves for the Special Olympics

My first official post, is going to be a quick one, since it is very late and I just got in from a lovely evening with my sister and her kids.  I know I don't get nearly enough time with them.  My sweet little niece helped me make dinner for everyone.  At 5 she has so many questions about how to cut this, when to put that ingredient in the pan, and what's that leaf called again?  I think her favorite part was squashing the tomatoes for the sauce.  I just loved having her so interested in what I was doing, and telling me that I was the best auntie ever was a super bonus! 

The real reason for the late night post is my new mission.  I am making scarves, lots of scarves for the Special Olympics Scarf Project  So glad that I found out about it in time.  I posted a picture of my first completed one on the facebook page Scarves-For-Special-Olympics  I had a few people asking for the pattern so I figured I could share it on my new blog and send the link out into the wonderful community there.  Its a pretty basic concept, a granny square on each end attached in the middle by the same basic stitch worked back and forth instead of in a round.   So here it is:

 

Cari's Granny Scarf

Abbreviations used:

DC= Double Crochet

Ch= Chain

sl st- Slip Stitch

Hook size I 5.5mm

Square:

Make 2

Round 1: With Red Heart Super Saver 512 Turqua 

Chain 6, slip stitch in first ch to make a loop

Chain three (counts as first double crochet here and throughout) DC 2 times in loop, chain 2, DC 3 times in loop. Repeat 2 more times, sl st to top of starting ch3 (4 groups of 3 DC and 4 Ch2)  Fasten off

Round 2: With Red Heart Super Saver 886 Blue

Slip stitch into Ch2 space and Ch3 DC 2 times, Ch2 DC 3 times in same Space,* Ch 1 DC 3 times Ch2 DC 3 times in next Ch2 Space(4 times total). Ch 1 DC 3 times in next Ch1 space.(4 times total)  Repeat from *around, sl st to top of Ch3. Fasten off

Round 3: Change to Turqa Slip stitch into any Ch1 space Ch3 DC 2 times, Ch1, *DC 3 times Ch2 DC 3 times in next Ch2 Space, Ch1 DC 3 times in next Ch1 space, Ch1.  Repeat from * around.  sl stitch to top of Ch3. Fasten off

Round 4: Change to Blue and repeat last round with 3 DC in each ch 1 space(8 times total) and 3DC Ch2 3DC in each Ch 2 space (4 times total)

Round 5: Change to Turqua and repeat last round with 3 DC in each Ch 1 space (12 times total) and 3DC Ch2 3 DC in each Ch2 space (4 times total)

Scarf portion:

With Blue sl st in a corner space, Ch 4, 3DC in next space Ch1 and repeat 3 times finish with 1 DC in middle of corner, Ch3, turn (4 3DC groups and 1DC in each corner)

2DC in same space as turning Ch, Ch1, 3DC in next space, Ch1 and repeat 3 times Ch 3, turn (4 3DC groups)

 Repeat Pattern until it the scarf measures 30 inches.

 Fasten off and repeat with second square.

Stitch two halves together and weave in  loose yarns

I hope this all makes sense.  I am fairly new at writing patterns any problems with the pattern and just let me know and I will adjust it.  

Thanks for your time and I hope you enjoy making this lovely scarf to make a very special person smile.