Two-Word Tuesday

Flowered Headband


I want to thank writing.com for inspiring my Two-Word Tuesday.  I have been following them on Facebook for a short time and that is where I got the idea for my Tuesday "theme".

I have been have a blast making flowered headbands for little girls.  It's a pretty easy crochet stitch for the headband available from ammee's idea book #7 - Crochet Bouquet-Fabulous Flowers!  And the flower was a freebie from JoAnn Fabric and Craft Store (you'll find a copy below)

Several friends and co-workers shared these headbands with daughters and granddaughters for Easter.  It is so rewarding to know that other people appreciate the work you do

I have matched the yarn of the flower to that of the headband and then edged the flower with a coordinating metallic yarn.  The metallic edging really brings the flower to life, don't you agree?

Large flower

Headbands with large flower

Pattern for Crochet Rose

Supplies & Tools

1 pkg Lion Brand Bonbons mini skeins (I have used other yarns as well for the flower)

Crochet hook G-6: Exact gauge is not necessary

Large-eyed blunt needle

DIRECTIONS:

Pattern is written for smallest size with changes for larger sizes in parentheses.  Diameter approx 2" (2.5", 3.5").  When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

Each flower is made from a long strip of shells.  The strip is rolled into a spiral, then lower edges are sewn together to form the base of the flower.  The upper edges form the petals.

To change color, work last st of old color to last yo.  YO with new color and draw through all loops to complete st.  Fasten off old color.

ONE-COLOR FLOWER:

Ch 17 (35,53)

Row 1:  Dc in 5th ch from hook (first V-made) *ch 1, skip next ch, (dc, ch1, dc) in next ch (V-st made); rep from across - 7 (16, 25) V-sts at the end of this row.

Row 2:  Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, 5 dc in ch-1 sp of first V-st (first shell made), *sc in next ch-1 sp (between V-sts), 6 dc in ch-1 sp of next V-st (shell made); rep from * across, working last shell in the turning ch-sp - 7 (16, 25) shells at the end of this row.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

TWO COLOR FLOWER:

Work rows 1 & 2 the same as above.  Attach color 2: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across.

Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.

Until next time

-Helen

Where Do I Start?

I do believe I put the cart before the horse when I began this blog.  I have found, after reading several blogs over the past few weeks that I needed to come up with a plan.  I really like the idea of having a theme for each day of the week.  So from now on this is what you will find when reading my blog:

• Monday - Where Do I Start?
• Tuesday - Two-Word Tuesday
• Wednesday - Quiet
• Thursday - Something New
• Friday - From My Favorite Blogs
• Saturday - Turn Up the Volume
• Sunday - Thoughts to Ponder

I feel good about this; it gives me a starting point each day which that has been lacking and holding me back.  I've always been the type that needs a title before I can write something or a list to guide me.  I hope you will follow along, and maybe even encourage someone else to do the same!

Until tomorrow,
                  Helen

Meditation?

For some time I have wanted to start a meditation practice.  

Thanks to fellow blogger Dawn of Joyful Scribblings  I have found the perfect solution.

Dawn recently posted about a 21-Day Meditation Challenge "hosted" by Oprah and Depok Chopra.  Upon reading I immediately clicked and link and signed up. 

I just finished Day-1 and I am looking forward to each and every meditation day to come.
Namaste.
Until next time -Helen

Crochet Flowers

As much as I enjoy crocheting scarves, shawls, afghans and the like, I think one of my most favorite items to crochet are flowers.  I think they so much in the way of finishing an item.  I've had a ton of fun creating "posie toes".  Since flip flops are a guilty pleasure of most women all over the world, I thought why not fancy them up a bit.

Finding patterns for crochet and knit flowers is really easy these day, all you have to do is log into Pinterest.  There's a whole bouquet of them sure to help you embellish your own hand made creations.  Of course, you can always purchase the directions, like I did for this particular flower, unfortunately for me, Pinterest was not around when I was looking for just the right flip flop topper, but that's fine, there's never enough flowers for me!  And I bet this one is also on Pinterest now!

Scarves

I absolutely love knitting or crocheting scarves.  The way the yarn comes together is always a surprise, from unrolling the twisted up skien to the finished product is a process that never ceases to "entertain" and delight me.  I have had so much fun making these two designs this winter and they have been received so well that custom orders are waiting to be filled and I actually need to order more of the ruffle yarn.

Another favorite has been this cowl.  I found the directions on a lovely blog, fiber flux and added my own individual touch by crocheting a flower to attach.

I remain forever grateful to both my Grandmother and my Mom for teaching me these time honored needle arts.

-Until Next Time...Helen

Thirsty?

Last night a friend, Debby Barash, and I had a great time at Thirsty Palette, in Overland Park.  If you've ever wanted to do a painting in 2 hours, enjoy a glass (or 2) of wine, listen to great music all in the company of friends, then this is the place for you.  Our canvas and paints were set up in advance so we could spend a bit of time getting to know the artist, the owner and the others that were there to paint.

Our coach, Stephanie, stood at the front of the room to guide us through the process of creating our masterpiece.

She would show us a step or two at a time and then wait for everyone to catch up.  And of course, she was there to help with any disasters (thankfully we really didn't have too many of those).

Who knew that a bustier begins as a "happy face"

As the evening progressed and the first glass of wine turned into a second glass, the paint began to flow even better.

Debby hard at work, getting the details just right! Go Debby....

While I don't think I'll be giving up my day job any time soon to become an artist, I do know that I will be returning to Thirsty Palette several more times to add to my private art collection.  You should try it; we had a blast!

Have a great day! Until next time...

My Sister, Jerrette

It's been terribly hard to think about blogging for the past month with my sister so ill; and on December 21st she lost her battle with cancer.  While I don't want this blog to dwell on the sad, tragic events of life; I cannot go forward until I pay tribute to the beautiful life of my sister, Jerrette Ann Kulaja Schrock.

Being the oldest of 3 daughters she certainly paved the way for my sister Onna and me.  She "trained" Mom & Dad well; getting them up to speed on all things girl.  I think now that being number one can at times be best and also not so best.  But Jerrette knew how to handle things right from the beginning.  I can remember Mom say that she would stand in her playpen and talk, talk, talk...to no one, pretty much about nothing and mostly in her own language.  Her quick wit started at a early age.

What I will remember most was her ability to make anyone and everyone feel at ease.  She never met a stranger; with her amazing smile, full laugh and gift of gab, pretty much everyone became a friend.  And once a friend, always a friend.

Jerrette and I shared a love of crafting...spending countless hours creating.  For two years we did table decorations for the luncheons of a  local women's group and everyone wanted desperately to win.  We did some good stuff!  I think knitting and crochet were our favorite.  We were always looking for the newest yarns and then trying to figure out what to do with them.  One of my greatest, recent joys was when she saw something I was knitting and asked me to get the yarn & needles for her so she could make a scarf as well. So sadly that scarf will never be made, she was too weak to hold the needles for any length of time.  Knowing she couldn't make her scarf, it took me a long time to finish mine, and now that it's done I'm not sure if I will be able to wear it...

The love of a sister cannot be easily compared to anything else; friend, companion, champion, critic, a warm hug, a helpful hand, the whisper of things known by no one other than you and your sister.  Onna and I were part of a family of 5 and over the last 7 years we are now down to just 2.  It seems so strange, so foreign, so wrong.  I know I will get to a new normal, but the journey will be long and most certainly lonesome.  I love you Jerrette, rest well...