Okay, I couldn't get this picture to attach itself to the previous post (below) so here is the picture of Bonni now.

I've been looking for patterns to make things for the new grandbaby that Cheyenne is going to give me in August and it got me to thinking about the things I made for my babies. I really didn't make that many things for them. I was too busy being a very young single mommy and going to college. I have made more things for Gini and Harmoni than I ever did for the older three. I did make a couple of things for Bonni and Cameron but by the time Cheyenne came along, I was lucky to get a blanket knit for her. My Mom knit her a gorgeous blessing robe which she wore over the lace and eyelet gown my Aunt Jean made. I will try to find a picture of that soon. It was really beautiful. These pictures are of a couple of things I made for Bonni when she was ittle. The little leg warmers, I made without a pattern and I made a pair for each of the little girls in her ballet class when she was 3. The little red outfit was so right for her. Bonni looked really good in red even when she was a tiny baby. She had such beautiful dark coloring right from the first. (The guy is Gaston - a guy friend. I was an unwed teenage mother after all;o)

Looking at the pics from back then always makes me soooo thankful that I didn't listen to the people who told me that having her would ruin my life. My beloved oldest brother told me that if I didn't get an abortion, I was just a fool. When I think of they joy that having her for a daughter has brought me. And now, she has brought two gorgeous little human beings into the world herself. And she is a really good mommy to her two little guys. I started college a little later than planned and I had to go out a little less than I otherwise would have but actually, she saved my life. I was on a very self-destructive path until I found that I was going to have a baby. At that point in my life, I didn't care about ME but I sure cared about that baby. I could go on for a long time about this subject but it is probably a post better suited to my other blog. If I get around to it;o)

Anyway, here is a picture Bonni's little men, my grandsons (with their Aunt Gini).

Just playing with the new computer. This one will actually upload pictures from my Wal-Mart disc. It has been really frustrating not being able to do that. I still will miss my digital because of the picture quality but at least I can add pics of my FO's and so forth.

This picture is the first batch of squares I sent off to Hugs for Heroes. My "joiner angel" Mary joins them together and then Holly, our listmom who founded Hugs for Heroes to support hospitalized servicemen and women and their families, delivers them to the VA Hospital Ward. It is a hard time to be a hero. Every little hug helps.

Next, I'm going to try to add a scanned picture. Wish me luck!

Okay, so I joined the color swap at my friend Ranee's blog last month. (I'll try to get links or buttons my friend's blogs as soon as I can figure out how.) For now, here is a link to the posts about it: http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/search/label/Colorswap
You can join for the year or just any particular month you like. Details are on Ranee's blog.

I already completed my first swap. I had a blast finding things for the metallic related theme to Karla (she is here: www.karlacardell.blogspot.com ) AND I received a FABULOUS package of goodies from Julie (she is here: www.tisjewel.blogspot.com ) I will post a picture and description of my bounty as soon as I get my camera developed.

I was supposed to post this questionnaire for my partners in the swap to know my preferences etc. Course, my computer crashed in a big way and I just got a new one so i hope everyone will forgive me up for just now getting around to it. I just got a Toshiba Satellite laptop and I'm scrambling around trying to get caught up on all my groups, swaps, thank you's, etc.


Color Swap Survey

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high-end/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I LOVE things like Alpaca and Cashmere but I can't afford it for everyday things. Plus, I do a lot of charity work and they require machine washable things. I use a LOT of Lion Brand yarn - esp Microspun, Wool Ease, WE Chunky, WE Thick and Quick, Suede.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I don't spin although I went to a seminar to learn, I don't have the equipment. Someday...
I do crochet. I have for over 30 years but I do more knitting than crochet. I prefer the fabric that knitting makes - esp for apparel.

3. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Mosaics, woodworking, scrapbooking, ceramics and lots of other quirky crafts.

4. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Cashmere or silk blends for special things. Lion Brand Suede or Wool Ease Chunky or Thick and Quick for blankets, coats, etc.

5. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I can't do much with thread because of my hands. I don't like yarn that is scratchy but then who does;o)

6. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Warm things for street kids. Lace, shawls, afghans. The perfect glitten (glove/mitten).

7. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
See above. Just about anything. I love to have several projects going so that I can work on whatever I'm in the mood for - simple, complex, thick, thin....

8. What are you knitting right now?
Checkers set, Ivy sweater from Knitty.com, necktie for my son, warm things for SUFK and a women's shelter.

9. Are you a sock knitter?
Not so much. Baby ones, yes. I am tempted sometimes by the fun of the sock patterns but I just can't get my bunch to care that much about wearing home-made socks. They just want athletic ankle socks:o\

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Are there any colors you hate?
I just don't like really bright, jangly colors. I prefer a more muted palette. Soft shades of purple and green are my favorites.

11. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Nope. I started to set one up at Herrschnerrs but got interrupted as usual.

12. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Nope. Don't like to smell smoke but not allergic.

13. Do you have any religious prohibitions or restrictions?
I am Christian. LDS specifically. I'm not supposed to drink coffee but I indulge in a cup of gourmet once in a while. Hey, I didn't say I was a really good LDS.

14. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Melon, cucumber, ocean.

15. Do you burn candles?
You betcha!!

16. Do you have a sweet or salt tooth?
I have both! I'm trying to learn to indulge them in healthy ways.

17. Do you drink coffee, tea or cocoa?
Love herbal tea and cocoa.

18. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
My dh of 20 years is a truck driver. We have 5 kids and 2 grandsons. 26 yo dd lives with her 2 baby boys, 19 yo dd lives with her.... (can't cuss, can't cuss, can't cuss) fiancee. 22 yo ds, lives at home and is preparing for a mission. 12 yo dd and 10 yo dd live at home and are homeschooled. We have a horse, 2 big dogs, 1 little truck dog that travels with dh and one psycho cat. My Pitt Bull, Princess is always at my side when I knit. She is very much a lady, though and wouldn't dream of stepping or sitting on my knitting. The horse on the other hand....

19. What are some of your favorite things?
Horses, music of all kinds - esp country, classical, blues, jazz and celtic, classic movies, Lost (tv show).

20. Is there anything that you collect?
Horses and blue willow.

21. What is your favorite holiday?
I'm kind of a scrooge. I refuse to acknowledge Dec 25. We've switched to Epiphany because of the horror that "Christmas Day" has become. Christ would be horrified. Thanksgiving makes me miss my Mom terribly. I guess my favorite would be New Years. My family has some pretty cool traditions going for New Years.

This is a knit baby blanket that I have been working on with yarn remnants as I felt the notion, off-and-on for quite a while. I finally finished it and I really like it! Not bad for a "scrap" project. It is going to a charity called Golisano for my KnittingforChildren yahoo group. I'm sending off some other stuff too but I don't have the camera developed with those pics yet.

Sorry about the pic on its side. My pathetic little computer seems to have figured out that it is being replaced come Christmas morn and it is just quitting a bit at a time. My photo editing program now won't work. It was a neat trick getting these pics uploaded at all. I WANT MY DIGITAL CAMERA BACK! I miss it soooo much. And I will be soooooooooo glad to get our new computer from Santa.

No craft in this picture - just grandma's pride and joy; Trey - almost 4 and Braiden - 2 1/2.

I love this cute little retro top. It was supposed to be a gift for a friend's little girl but it came out smaller than planned (about 12-18 months instead 2T) so it is going to charity.
The hats in this picture did not come out very clear at all. But I couldn't resist posting my "models";o) Cameron is grinning as usual, Gini looks very sullen even though she is a very sweet spirit (she is trying very hard to cultivate a "coolness" these days; she is 12 after all;-), Harmoni is distracted and sweet as is usual for her.

This hat came out really cute. This is a chemo hat for charity. I always try them on a person to make sure they are proportioned right. Then I wash and block them so I can be sure the recipient will not wash it once and have to throw it out. Here is a link to this very quick and easy and cute pattern: http://www.hometown.aol.com/tepperleen/page2.html
Here is a picture of Gini wearing another chemo hat. This one is my own pattern. There is seed stitch accent just above the roll brim that doesn't show up. I made this one up as I went along - my favorite way to make a hat;o)

This is a purse pattern from Crochet Me. Cute, huh? I made one for an exchange and one to go with the hat for a gift. I wish the little fairy pin showed up better. It is really cute.
This is my first submission for my handbag exchange. The autumn orange bag is my own design. The pretty little buttons don't show up, unfortunately but Jez said she loved the bag. It is made holding nylon cord together with Boa so it is very sturdy and I put a magnetic snap closing on it. My Harmoni loved it so much that I have to make her a blue one;o)

This is an openwork poncho that I originally designed in black cord with with "fur" to go over a "little black dress" for my daughter, Cheyenne, to wear for her performances. (She is a singer.) Other people started requesting it and I sold quite a few of them before I got bored with doing just this all the time and stopped. This one was made for a more funky, artsy type of person. It is not really my daughter, Bonni's style but she was nice enough to model it for me so I could get a picture of this one before I gave it to it's recipient because I didn't have any pictures of them. Sure wish I had gotten a picture of the black ones before they were all given out. I actually do have a couple of Cheyenne wearing it but it is so dark that it isn't very easy to see what's what. I may try scanning that in and seeing if I can do anything to make it worth posting. Meantime, just use your imagination;o)

Natalie

"...the way home is every good thing that God told us to do."

Mattie Stepanek 1991-2004

Here is a beautiful little poem written in 1998 by a little boy with MD named Mattie Stepanek when he was about 4 or 5. Mattie lived from 1991-2004. He was a NY Times bestselling author a really amazing human being. You will see his stuff here from time to time. The world needs more Mattie.

When the trees sing,

It doesn't really matter

If you know the song,

Or if you know the words,

Or even if you know the tune.

What really matters is knowing

That the trees are singing at all.

This is Gini wearing her scarf. No pattern necessary! Just choose the ww acrylic of your choice and hold it together as one with a strand of the Fun Fur or Boa of your choice, cast on about 8 sts, (I used size 10's) and St st away until it is the length you want it! These are so fun and cute and all the girls (of all ages) are wearing these around here.

This is my 10 year old, Harmoni, with the little bag I made for her. No pattern, just a basic little bag with a cute little button and loop closure and a pink metal chain handle. It is a great beginner project so if someone would like a pattern, just let me know and I'll email it to you. This is eyelash yarn and Caron Simply Soft held together as one and made in single crochet throughout.

This is a very unflattering picture of my 12 year old, Gini, but the only pic I have of the outfit. This is the first crocheted apparel item I designed. It was very quick and simple and, since I made it from 4 ply cotton, it was very inexpensive, too. But it sure gets a lot of compliments! I also made this in a purple/yellow print skirt and solid purple shrug for Harmoni.

I also have a knit lace version of the shrug, which I think is much prettier. I'll post that as soon as I can get a pic. My digital camera is on the fritz, unfortunately.

Well, have a beautiful evening... or not, it is up to you;o)

Natshell

Hello! I am Natshell and I have created this blog to talk, gripe and share my efforts at knitting, crocheting, and other crafts. I have a personal journal type blog at www.notgoinquietly.blogspot.com for anyone who is interested; I just decided to create a separate one for my crafting so that my crafty friends wouldn't have to wade through all my homeschooling, life, death, health, kids etc to find my projects;o) I will, from time to time, however, post quotes, about-me lists, favorites lists and such on this blog as well. I just think people ought to get to know each other better, ya know? People are too disconnected nowadays. So here goes.

Have a great day!.... or don't, it really is up to you.