Three Cheers

Three cheers for the red, white and blue…

To celebrate the 4th of July, I made a couple of crocheted buntings.

This one wasn’t intended to be a bunting/banner. After I made the first one, I had some yarn left-over and made a star. Then I made that star into a circle. Then I made that circle into a somewhat looking triangle…Then thought, “This would make a cute bunting!”

This one is a simple crocheted triangle and you can find directions here.

I added little streamers and two stars to the ends and another streamer to the center.

The first one I made, we hung on the front stoop (find a triangle pattern here.  The triangle I used comes from:  Leisure Arts-99 Granny Squares to Crochet),

then we decided to have some work done on the house by having some siding replaced, bushes removed, replace the backyard fence and have the house painted,

and haven’t put it back up.

I am not so sure I want to make holes in the newly painted wood after they patched up all the holes before they painted.

I’ll save them for next year.   

Crochet Owl Ornaments For Tree

Found a pattern for these cute owl ornaments over at Hopscotch Lane–

They are a happy addition to our little Christmas tree-

Along with the owls, this year, I also crocheted some little stockings–

I think that handmade ornaments add a homey touch to a tree.

I love these cute little owletes…

…and it’s all thanks to talented people around the web who share their little creations.

’tis Halloween

This year Halloween isn’t as festive as it was here last year. I just can’t seem to get into the spirit as I haven’t felt well.  Tom and Brian are trying to hold on to the tradition and haven’t lost their spirit.  Last year we had a family Halloween party before my daughter and two of my grandchildren moved back to New England.  This year, it is really quiet.

Since Brian feels that he is too old to trick or treat, he is handing out the Halloween candy this year.

Tom always dresses up for Halloween. But this year, he couldn’t decide if he wanted to be a pumpkin, a ghoul or a witch. LOL

The gruesome twosome hanging around waiting for trick or treaters.

It’s Not The Best Of Decors…

Years ago, I used to do a lot of woodworking. Most of the things that I made, I threw or gave away when we moved last year.  At the time, we were thinking that we would be able to replace them once we got settled into a better life.

The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men
Gang aft a-gley, [often go awry]
An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,
For promised joy.

Before we moved, I gave Carrie these three, little, door toppers that I made. I cut them from birch wood then painted and decorated them. Now, that we are back, we have hardly any Christmas decorations, etc. left.  Before Carrie left for Texas, she gave them back to me.

I was so grateful to have them back. They are something familiar in my somewhat unsecured existence.

I really like how this santa turned out. At one time, I had a steady hand and a sharp eye. LOL

I also crocheted two little Christmas trees, added magnets to them and to the other
crocheted pieces I made.

As Christmas gets closer, I wish for a pocket full of miracles (even one will be just fine). And, I pray that we can put this past year far behind us. I want last year to be but a distant memory and not a continuous open wound. I want the past year to be a lesson learned and not a daily reminder of emptiness and regrets.

And with that said, I wish you all a-

Beaded Ornaments

Over a year and a half ago we had plans to start a new life in a place where we thought we wanted to return.

As usual, with our life, things didn’t work out the way we planned.  Since ridding ourselves of most of our Christmas ornaments, decorations and other possessions last years, and not able to buy these things, I made a few ornaments from some plastic beads and craft wire that I had on hand.

Years ago, I made quite a few of these.  I remember sitting on the living room floor, in dim lighting making them.

When I made these four, it was late morning into the early afternoon.  I sat at the kitchen table, by a sunny window, with a light on and I still couldn’t see the large holes in the beads very well.  After making these four, I quit making more.  My back, legs and neck were screaming for me to stop!

I think maybe these four will be enough for now.