How to Crochet Star Stitch (Daisy Stitch) - wikiHow

How to Crochet Star Stitch (Daisy Stitch) - wikiHow

The link above will take you to an article I wrote on wikiHow with instructions for making the
"old school" star stitch that I used when making the Duck Bath Mitt below:

Free Pattern: Lacy Heart Earrings With Beads

The download PDF file can be found here:  Lacy Heart Earrings


If you print the patten from this site, chances are it will print a black background with white text.  If you are like the rest of us and don't want to spend all your money on black ink to print this pattern, please open the PDF file and print it from there.  You'll be happy you did and your printer will still have black ink when you're done printing.  ..  And you won't be cursing me for having a stupid black background.  heh, heh...


Lacy Purple Heart Earrings w/Crystal Beads
copyright 2010
by Cynthia J. Luciene

Materials:
Size 7 steel crochet hook
Size 10 cotton crochet thread; bedspread
weight; small amount
Two crystal beads that will thread onto your
crochet thread
Two hooks for pierced earrings, or two posts,
if you prefer

Stitches Used:Chain stitch (ch)
Single Crochet (sc)
Picot (ch 3, slst into first ch of same ch 3)
Half Double Crochet (hdc)
Double Triple Crochet (dbl tr) : YO 3 times,
insert hook into indicated stitch, (YO, pull
through two loops on hook) X3 – there'll be
just one loop on hook when finished with
stitch.

Skill Level:
Advanced Beginner (one who is able to read and follow pattern instructions closely and accurately)

Instructions:
Begin by stringing any beads you are going to use. I strung mine as follows:
First the drop bead, that you see at the bottom of the earring, you'll be using this one last
Second, the larger bead that is in about the middle of the heart because you'll be using this one first
Whatever beads you decide to use ought to be strung onto the crochet thread before beginning your
work and in the opposite order of the order you'll be using them in. One way to avoid confusion is
using beads that are all alike so it won't matter which comes first.

With steel crochet hook size 7 and size 10 crochet thread:
• ch 7, dbl tr in first ch of ch 7 just made sliding larger bead up and work into 2nd YO of dbl tr stitch, pull stitches tight to secure bead, ch 7, sl st into same first ch as last stitch.
• Sl st into bead loop closest to hook, work 4 sc on this side of bead loop, ch 7, work 4 sc into
opposite side of bead, in the bead's loop. Sl st into nearest ch 7 loop.
• (ch 3, sl st) into each ch of same ch 7 loop, in top of dbl tr, and in each of the 7 ch opposite side of dbl tr.
• Turn, (ch 3, sc in next ch 3 loop) X 5, ch 3, picot, (ch 3, sc in next ch 3 loop) X 6, sl st into last
ch 3 loop, just before dbl tr of first round.
• Continue working around, (ch 3, hdc in next ch 3 loop) X 2, (ch 3. sc in next ch 3 loop) X 3. , 3 sl st inside the first ch 3 of the picot loop, sl st three times around picot, 3 sc in the next ch 3 of picot loop, (sc in next ch 3 loop ch 3) X 3, (hdc in next ch 3 loop, ch 3) X 2, ch 3, sl st into
lowest point of “V” at top of heart.
• Fasten off, weave in ends inconspicuously.
• Attach hooks or posts to middle, top of heart, at lowest point of “V”
• Email questions, comments to anitalite@gmail.com
• or visit  Cynthia's Cynfully Spiffy Stuff

You may not sell this pattern but you may sell anything you make from this pattern. Please use the following link to distribute online:
http://anitalite.blogspot.com
Thank you I hope you enjoy making these earrings.

Free Pattern: Crochet Beaded Chandelier Earrings

Crochet Beaded Chandelier Earrings

Free Pattern

copyright 2010 by Cynthia J Luciene aka anitalite ;-)_

Cynthia's Cynfully Spiffy Stuff

Downloadable PDF version of this pattern is found HERE

Materials:

size 3 crochet thread (plum)

size 3 steel crochet hook

12 small beads

2 slightly larger beads

2 earring posts or hooks

Special stitches:

bead ch: slide next bead up to stitch after YO and before pulling through loop

bead picot: ch 1, bead ch, ch 1, sl st into first ch made for this stitch

Abbreviations:

sl st: slip stitch

ch: chain

dc: double crochet

YO: yarn over

Gauge:

Not important for this pattern but it is important to keep stitches tight so beads won't “travel”

Instructions for first earring (repeat instructions for second earring):

1. String beads onto crochet thread in the following order:
   3 small beads,
   1 larger bead,
   5 small beads
2. work 1 bead ch, ch 3, dc inside first bead ch, ch 1, turn
3. sl st inside ch3 – dc loop, bead ch, sl st inside same loop
4. ch 10, turn, skip over last sl st made AND bead ch, sl st into next sl st. ch 1, turn
5. (sl st, ch 1 inside ch 10 loop) twice, sl st, (bead picot, sl st) inside same ch 10 loop three times;
   ch 1, bead picot (larger bead), ch 1, (sl st, bead picot) three times inside same ch 10 loop, (sl st, ch 1) twice, sl st all in same loop,
6. sl st up side of earring towards top three times to very first bead ch made. Sl st inside bead ch, ch 1, sl st in same bead ch loop. Fasten off, weave in ends, attach post or hook into first bead ch loop.
7. Repeat for second earring.
8. Block and apply starch to hold desired shape.

If you have questions or comments please indicate in comments below. Enjoy!

(If using PDF format of this pattern, you can email comments or questions to me HERE

You may distribute this pattern using a link to my site : http://anitalite.blogspot.com/2010/10/free-pattern-crochet-beaded-chandelier.html

You may NOT sell this pattern but you may sell anything you make using this pattern. Please give credit where credit is due, thank you.

Copyright 2010 by Cynthia June Luciene

Crochet News:: A Great Site For Free Patterns

I stumbled upon another great website for free crochet patterns, a site I don't see listed in everyone's "favorite links" list on their blogs. It's Berocco.com, and has crochet and knitting patterns for free or booklets for purchase, a wide variety of absolutely gorgeous yarns to choose from in brilliant, dazzling color schemes.

One particular pattern that is included in one of the booklets for purchase, struck me as not only beautiful but unusual. A feminine scarf, lacy and flowery and is nice enough that anyone would love to receive it as a gift (I'm thinking Christmas but it would make a nice gift any time of year if you live by the beach in California that is. )

I do love scarves and am always looking for interesting and beautiful scarf patterns that look like they would be fun to make, not just the tedious dc across every row. A pattern like that is difficult for me to finish because I get so dang bored with it. heh. heh.

I'm definitely going to add this scarf to my que and probably a few more (if not many more) from the Berroco crochet pattern directory and I'll definitely be purchasing some of the crochet pattern books Berocco has for purchase.

Let me know if you've made any of Berocco's patterns, if you've used any of their yarns, etc. in the comments below. Have a great crochet day.

Signing off with a new handle (not another one! ) changed to The Mad Hooker! (That would be the crazy mad, not the angry mad. )

Cynthia

Denim Stripe Fat Bottom Bag, Lined With Work Shirt

(Quick note:
 Assuming you're a chick (female) and on that assumption another follows:  that you love to shop.  With that in mind, the links on this page all take you to either Amazon.com or Joann's where you can price check or compare a purchase for that particular bold face item.  I don't get credit, royalties, a kick down, annuities, a percentage, or anything else except the joy that I helped you find these wonderful things online to make your shopping experience easy and your crocheting much more fun.  grinning now)
 ------ end of "QUICK" note.  heh, heh.  Oh how I can babble on.)

Working with Red Heart's Stripes yarn was a lovely experience, truly.  The yarn did not tangle, it is twisted (is that the correct word?) nicely so my hook went through and came back out of loops smoothly as I worked along.  This colorway, denim stripe,  made a perfectly "denim" looking pattern for this bag.

I lined the bag with an old but rarely (if ever) used ladies work shirt.  It has cute metal flower buttons down the front and I wanted to keep them in the lining so I sewed closed the placard (button strip) with my machine. 

Secondly, I sewed closed the bottom of the shirt to where there was room enough for the pockets to fit inside the bag, giving me two inside pockets that were ready made.  (Yea, I AM lazy.  Yeppers!)


Thirdly, the shirt wasn't quite wide enough to reach across the bottom part of the bag (before adding handle flaps) so I just eased it in and made adjustments wherever necessary.  It came out a bit bunchy in the bottom but it worked out fine in the end.  (get it?  Fat Bottom Bag?  in the end?  Yea, right.  Get a day job, I know.  heh, heh.  )


The handles look great with this bag, I got them at the only place I know to get purse handles in my area (Michael's stopped carrying them, the dirty rats!), at Joann's.  They were the $4.99 variety which is fine and dandy but if you watch the ads for the store, you can get them up to 40% off and stock up on handles and other purse supplies there. (If you make Fat Bottom Bags - or any bag at all, you just have to go to a purse and bag supply sale at Joann's the first day the sale starts or there will be nothing left by the time you get there, a day later!)

The flower does not compliment the bag the way  I want it to but it'll do for now.  It gives me an excuse to go back to Joann's - to find an embellishment that better suits this bag.

Making this one with my mother's stand in caregiver  in mind, (the one who relieves me of my duties for six hours a day twice a week!), I can't wait to present it to her, finished and ready to use.  She said she had her eye on this when it was still a WIP and has no idea how it turned out so the surprise for her will be much more fun for me.  (Happy, happy, joy joy!  .... Tail's all wagging, lol)

On to the next FFB (That's Fat Bottom Bag for us seasoned FFB hookers, BTW), TTYL, TGIS, TTFN!

Crochet News: Another Great Crochet Caddy Idea

The Home Depot is one of my favorite places to browse around, get inspired, find cool stuff, and spend money, all for the good of our home, and me of course.

While wandering around the huge hardware store (if you can really call it that) I saw a tool bag that looked like it might be something I could use.  I'm always attracted to things that make my life easier, keep things neater, and maybe even help me stay organized. 

This tool bag has many pockets inside and out and nestles inside a five gallon paint bucket (empty of course!), giving it a sturdy handle and good, strong form.  Check it out.  It happened to be on sale so I really had no reason to pass on this purchase.  Naturally I had to buy a brand new clean five gallon bucket to use with the tool bag.  Here's the result:

In this caddy I have plenty of room for my crochet hooks, scissors, (several pairs), tatting shuttles, pencils and pens, etc.  Inside I can store the project AND all the yarn required for it, the pattern book, and anything else that can't find a pocket on the outside.
The other side of the tool bag has pockets that are a bit wider, useful for many things such as project index cards, a packet of yarn needles, and so on.

I did not spray this one with Scotchgard Fabric Protector yet but plan to.  (Yea, I've got a horny boy dog who loves to mark his territory.  Until it gets sprayed by Scotchgard I have to keep it up off the floor so it doesn't get sprayed by my little chihuahua boy.)

I don't remember the exact price of the tool bag, it was on sale for approximately $7 and the bucket was regular price at $5

If you have any questions or ideas please comment below, thank you.

Signing off to find that can of Scotchgard I absentmindedly plopped somewhere in the house.  or garage. or yard. or car. oh crap.  It's here somewhere.

Note: Yarn in the bucket is Red Heart Super Saver worsted weight, color Real Teal

Face Scrubbie #3 Free Easy Crochet Pattern

For ease in printing this pattern or others I've posted,  or elsewhere on the web, here's a comment Viola left on one of my patterns that may help you:

"...As for the printing, if you do a "print preview" first, you can select only the pattern pages. I just tried it and the print is small, but nothing in the pattern was cut off. Thanks for sharing."
(signed)
Viola's Hook

Thank you Viola!

Okay, so they're posted out of numerical order.  What can I say?  I was born blonde.  Ha.  (really.  And no offense implied to blondes in the world, it's just something I use for an excuse when I goof up.  It sounds a lot sexier than "I had a senior moment", right?)


All that aside, here's the pattern for face scrubbie #3, one of my favorites.

Face Scrubbie #3
by anitalite copyright 2010

With a "G" crochet hook and a small amount of cotton yarn (size 4 or worsted weight)
starting with purple (main color)
chain 2 loosely.
Round 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook; join to first sc with sl st
Round 2: 2 dc in each sc around, 1 dc in same stitch as beg ch 2 of this round.  Fasten off, weave in ends.
Round 3: Attach contrast (yellow) in any dc of r 2; ch 2, skip 1 st, sl st in next, FPDC in same dc you just made the sl st in, (ch 1, skip 1 st, sl st in next, FPDC in same stitch as last sl st) around - total 7 FPDC.  Join with sl st, fasten off, weave in ends.
Round 4: Attach main color (purple) in any ch 1 space to the right of a FPDC.  2 sc in same space, ch 2, skip FPDC, 3 sc in next space,

Easy Crochet Slippers

This pair of slippers were easy and quick to make.  I made a few alterations to the original pattern for Easy One Piece Slippers designed by Terri Kroupa but only for decorative purposes.  The pattern is well written and simple to follow.  It filled me with joy to see how happy Mom was when I put them on her feet!

I added back post stitches in the second to last row - only three, centered, every other stitch, and in the last row every three stitches and every other stitch (in the previous row bpdc) in the center.

These are easy for Mom to get on her feet (she has Parkinson's Disease)

I added a pretty but simple flower to the heel so she'd have a little extra to grab, to pull the slipper onto her foot.


Results?  She's thrilled with them.  The only disappointment is having to wait for the Plasti-Dip to dry on the soles so these aren't slippery for Mom.  I purchased the Plasti-Dip at The Home Depot for a little over $6.00 and the only option I saw was the product in black.  I just visited the web site and read that it is also available as a spray on application and also comes in other colours, as well as CLEAR!  YAY!  This is great news for us crocheters!  I'm thinking it could be used on the underside of crocheted area rugs, especially now that I know it comes in a clear solution so the product won't show through the little holes in things we crochet.  YAY! 

Crochet News: Snowflake Success!

If you've read anything previous I've written about my crochet projects or checked out any of the patterns I've posted, you know I have never blocked or starched any of my work and I've crocheted plenty of projects in the last twelve months.  Why?  I'm guessing that by the time I finish a crochet project I'm so happy it's done I want it to be DONE and give it away before I make it look neat and perfect with blocking and/or starching it.   Lazy.  That's what my problem is, I get lazy and bored with the thought of ironing or waiting for starch to dry, or the horrid idea of wetting a doily for fear I would screw up all that hard work somehow. 


This snowflake didn't take very long to make, not like a doily does for me to finish, of course.  I decided I am not making these snowflakes to lay in a plastic storage box somewhere.  They are going to hang on our Christmas tree - and not ten years from now, I'm determined to cover our tree in December with many snowflakes, all having their own personality and style.  That means I have to starch and block them.  Yikes! 


Well, I did starch and block this snowflake, scared for some reason I would botch it up and would end up with trashing my snowflake and forget the whole idea of a snowflake covered tree.   Fearfully, I submersed the snowflake in starch and even squeezed it and rolled it.  It still looked like a snowflake after all that, so I blocked it and let the darn thing dry.

Today I sprayed it with Scotchgard fabric protector (which, so far, did not discolor the bright white crochet thread that I used to crochet the snowflake).  After adding fishing line I hung the snowflake on an ornament hanger (see below) I picked up on sale at our local hospital gift shop.  (Weird where you can find things for crafts and arts!)


Here's the final outcome of my fear and procrastination and the nervous wait for the snowflake to dry:  (Sorry - again - about the horrible photography!  I'm still trying to figure out this digital camera.)

FYI (in case you missed the previous post about this project)
This is Snowflake 41 from the Big Book Of Thread Ornaments by Leisure Arts book # 4795
(the link will take you to Amazon.com list of that book for sale)

Crochet News: I'm Actually Blocking My Project!

Can you believe this?  I am actually blocking and starching (is that being redundant?) my snowflakes.  Well, one snowflake anyway:

I just finished crocheting Snowflake 41 from the Big Book Of Thread Ornaments

I strung tiny red beads onto my crochet thread before I started the snowflake and added them as I went along wherever I felt like.  Midway into crocheting and beading I had the thought that the beads could possibly weight down the ornament, making it droop when hung on the tree.  (I have no experience with this so bear with me).
I added many beads to the middle and less as I went along and actually like how it turned out.

Following the instructions I've read on many a crochet blog or craft web site, I:

• soaked my snowflake in fabric starch (100% strength for maximum stiffness)
• squeezed out the excess starch
• laid the snowflake flat on some paper towels and rolled it up to get a bit more of the extra starch out
• placed waxed paper on top of a sturdy cardboard box lid
• used nickel plated pins to shape and hold the snowflake
• waited
• and waited 
• and waited for the dang thing to dry!  
• ate dinner
• went to bed
• woke up in the morning
• waited for the starch to dry
• decided the old saying "watched water doesn't boil" is TOO true
• started working on a completely different project knowing that if I forgot about this one completely it would magically and suddenly dry when I wasn't looking
• realized I was right about the last bullet-ed step above
• forgot what I was doing and started pattern browsing

When I remember what I was blogging about in this post I'll let you know how it turned out.
Signing off to pattern browse some more and try to remember what the heck I forgot about and to practice being a serious grown-up, a discipline I never mastered, thank goodness.

UPDATE:
Here's the finished, almost dry product of all that waiting and wondering and worrying...

This last photo was taken before the snowflake was dry after starching.  For a follow up on my first block and starch project, see next newer post....

Crochet Pattern - Sunny Snowflake

For ease in printing this pattern or others I've posted,  or elsewhere on the web, here's a comment Viola left on one of my patterns that may help you:

"...As for the printing, if you do a "print preview" first, you can select only the pattern pages. I just tried it and the print is small, but nothing in the pattern was cut off...."
(signed),
Viola's Hook
----
Thank you Viola!
-----


Sunny Snowflake Ornament


Small amount size 10 crochet thread (Aunt Lydia's or other)
Size 10 steel crochet hook,
Size 7 steel crochet hook
Small beads, optional


I already had some beads on my thread and used what I had (6 beads) for this project, kind of by accident.  Beads are optional, you can place them anywhere you like while working along to give your sunny snowflake some shine.




String desired number of beads before beginning work.


With size 10 hook, ch 2


Round 1:  (sc, ch1) inside second chain from hook 6 times.  Join with sl st to first sc.  (total 6 sc, 6 ch1)

Round 2:  ch 4, dc in first st, *ch 1, dc in next st; repeat from * around, ending round with ch 1, sl st into third ch of beg ch 4 (top of ch dc)

Round 3:  ch 6. * tr in next ch 1 space, ch 3, repeat from * around, ending with tr in last ch 1 space, ch 3, sl st into third ch of beg ch 6 to join

Round 4: ch 1, * sc, hdc, sc in first ch 3 space and in each ch 3 space around, join with sl st to first sc this round.

Round 5: Use size 7 hook for this round! sl st to first hdc;  *sc in hdc, ch 3,   tr in next st, ch 3, skip 1 st,  sc in next, ch 3; repeat from * around and join with sl st to first sc and fasten off.

Weave in ends, block and starch as desired, attach red or white ribbon and hang!
In case you didn't click the previous link "starch as desired", it is a link that will take you to Crafters Love Crafts site page that tells several different ways to stiffen your crochet projects including instructions for using liquid starch or fabric glue (recommended), spray starch, sugar (low recommend), salt, etc.

Crochet Snow Flower Ornament Pattern

For ease in printing this pattern or others I've posted,  or elsewhere on the web, here's a comment Viola left on one of my patterns that may help you:

"...As for the printing, if you do a "print preview" first, you can select only the pattern pages. I just tried it and the print is small, but nothing in the pattern was cut off...."
(signed),
Viola's Hook
----
Thank you Viola!
----


Crochet Snow Flower Pattern by anitalite
copyright 2010 Cynthia Luciene
For personal use only.  You may sell your work but not this pattern.


Size 10 crochet thread
Size 11 steel crochet hook


chain 6, join with sl st to form ring


Round 1:  14 sc inside ring, join to first sc with sl st


Round 2: ch 4 (counts as 1 dc, 1 ch) ;  *dc in next st, ch 1; Repeat from * around, join to third ch made in beg of this round with sl st (14 dc, 14 ch 1 spaces)


Round 3:   *ch 3, sc in next ch 1 space ; Repeat from * around until last sc made then ch 3, join with sl st to beg ch of this round.



Round 4: sl st to first ch 3 space, * (ch 4, 2 tr, ch 4, sl st into same ch 3 sp) all in first ch 3 space; ch 1, sl st into next ch 3 space, triple picot (ch 3, sl st into first ch made), sl st into same ch 3 space, ch 1, sl st into next ch 3 space; Repeat from * around, join to first sl st made with sl st,


Round 5: sl st into middle of next picot, * ch 7, tr between next 2 tr, picot, sl st into top of tr just made, ch 7, sc into top of next picot, ch 7, tr between next 3 tr, picot, sl st into top of tr just made, ch 7 ; Repeat from * around, joining to first sl st in picot made this round.
Fasten off, weave in ends.
Block and starch as desired.  Go to Crafters Love Crafts site to learn how to stiffen your crochet snowflakes.


Attach hanger to use as ornaments or hang on suction cups to use for window decorations.

Beaded Pineapple Crochet Earrings Pattern

I used different lighting for this photo in an attempt to get the beading to show up better.  I am not entirely sure it does but it gives you a slightly different perspective on them.









Note:
For ease in printing this pattern or others I've posted,  or elsewhere on the web, here's a comment Viola left on one of my patterns that may help you:

"...As for the printing, if you do a "print preview" first, you can select only the pattern pages. I just tried it and the print is small, but nothing in the pattern was cut off...."
(signed),
Viola's Hook
----
Thank you Viola!



Beaded Pineapple Crochet Earrings Free Pattern
copyright Aug. 2010 by Cynthia aka anitalite

Materials
size 10 crochet thread
size 10 steel crochet hook
40 small glass beads the thread is willing to string through. (optional)
2 post earrings or 2 earring hooks for dangle

Special Instructions:
Bead tr:  work tr as follows:  YO twice, insert hook into st, YO, draw through two loops on hook twice, slide bead up and work into very last YO before drawing through last two loops on hook.

Bead sc :  slide a bead up and add to your stich during the YO after inserting your hook

Bead ch:  slide a bead up and add to your stitch during the YO of the chain

Pull beaded stitches tight so beads will stay in place and not travel.

Gauge: 
Gauge for this pattern not very important but keeping tension "firm" or slightly tight will keep the stitches neat and uniform.  A loose gauge is okay too, the earrings appear even more lacy.  Have fun, experiment to get the look you desire.

Begin by stringing 40 glass beads onto crochet thread.
(You'll only need 19 for each earring but I always add an extra or two, just to be safe.)

ch 5, dc in fifth chain from hook to form ring.

Row 1:  ch 4, sliding bead up and work into 4th ch; (counts as 1 bead tr)  bead tr X 6  (total 7 bead tr)

Row 2: ch 4, (counts as dc + 1 ch)  (dc in next  bead tr, ch 1) across, dc in top of ch 4 from previous row.

Row 3: turn, ch 3, skip first ch 1 space, (bead sc in next ch 1 space, ch 3) X 6

Row 4: turn, sl st in first ch 3 space, ch 1, sc in same space; (ch 3, sc in next ch 3 space) across

Row 5: turn, sl st in first ch 3 space, ch 1, bead sc in same space, (ch 3, bead sc in next ch 3 space)  X 4

Row 6: turn, sl st in first ch 3 space, ch 1, sc in same space; (ch 3, sc in next ch 3 space) X 3

Row 7:  turn, sl st in first ch 3 space, ch 1, bead sc in same space, (ch 3, bead sc in next ch 3 space) X 2

Row 8:  turn,  sl st in first ch 3 space, ch 1, sc in same space; ch 3, sc in last ch 3 space

Row  9: turn, sl st in ch 3 space, bead ch 1, sc in same space;
Fasten off, weave in ends.

Repeat from beginning (following the stringing of beads)
to make your pair of earrings complete.

Attach hooks or posts to beg ring.  Shape and starch to hold shape as necessary.  I used a fine mist of spray starch on these and a flat iron on low to set the starch and hold the stitches in place.  You can learn about other ways to stiffen your crochet thread projects at Crafters Love Crafts site.


If you have any questions please contact me here
and / or leave me a comment below

Please remember :  It is okay to share this pattern using a link to THIS PAGE.  You may also sell the work you make from this pattern.  You MAY NOT sell this pattern or copy it for profit by any means.

"Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb."

Sir Winston Churchill British politician (1874 - 1965)

Borrowed from The Quotations Page

This quote by Sir Winston Churchill helped me see the light when it came to my saddened heart when I look at Mom sitting next to me.  My heart felt sad for all she has to go through in aging (she's 84) and sadness that the aging has robbed her of her freedom, independence, ability take only five minutes to go to the bathroom, the ability to sleep through the night without getting up to go potty, and her memory of how to knit, which is something she loved to do and was very good at.  There's so much more that saddens me when I see Mom the way she is today, using a walker and shuffling slowly across the house, sleeping most of the day away in her arm chair, not being able to hear us even when we speak very loudly and slowly to her.  The tremors of Parkinson's Disease, the indentation in her tee shirt where a breast should be, the puzzled look on her face as she tries to figure out what people in the room are saying and if they are saying anything about her.

There is so much that saddens my heart for this woman, my mother, who used to be active with us kids and at our schools and our church.  She was famous at a pot luck for her lemon jello cake (yum!) or pineapple upside down cake, or her million dollar casserole (yum yum!).  She used to sew costumes at Halloween for all four kids, bake cookies for the school bake off, bake and decorate cakes for anyone and everyone for a nominal charge of $10.   She kept our doctor and dentist appointments straight, knew who needed what and when they needed it, she made sure we had it.  Our school and church clothes were sewn by her, our birthday parties always had a great theme and fun games to play, our house was always clean (except for my closet which is where I threw everything from my room into so my room would pass inspection) and we had a hot breakfast every morning, homemade well-balanced lunches for school (with two different kinds of homemade cookies in them) and we all had a homemade dinner together every night. 

She provided everything for us, made us take care of ourselves and our living spaces, kept on top of our chores, didn't give an allowance for anything because she saved every penny she could so she could give us the things we really wanted at Christmas and our birthdays. 

I am so highly grateful to this woman who did so much for me, for all us kids, by herself after Dad died in the line of duty when we were all small.  She was and still is amazing.  She never complains but once in a while, usually when something starts bothering her so much she can't stand it anymore.  (Like the jeans she can't stand to see me wear, the ones that you purchase from the store already torn and faded.. lol)  She says she doesn't have pain and when she does she won't say anything - I have to ask her to find out she needs her one aspirin she allows herself when pain gets that bad.

The quotation may not be exactly on the same train of thought but I think you probably get it.  When I would look at Mom and feel sorry for her, wonder how she can stand being old and dealing with all that old age has cast upon her, all the changes, all the losses, all the inconveniences, having to depend on someone else for her basic needs.  Now I am trying my best to look at her in way that she is walking through a journey, proud of what she has accomplished and all that she has done as a mother, the good friend and wife she was throughout her lifetime, (she is still very good friends with people she was best friends wtih in elementary school - that would be over seventy years of close friendship!).  She can be tired if she needs to be, be taken care of finally, after all the care taking she did through the years.  She can let me be here for her the way she was here for me when I needed her.  It probably feels good knowing she was a great Mom who did her very best without Dad, she's still loved by those friends from school way back then, and her family is close by and would do anything for her.  The way she always did for them. 
She still gets to enjoy the joy and glory of the climb and it's not over yet, thank God.  Hopefully Mom will be climbing in that joy and glory for many years to come.

And here's Mom, trying to stay awake while browsing a magazine for dinner recipes.  She's had a long day (me too!) as it was the day of her hair appointment.  Isn't she beautiful?

Face Scrubbie #4 Free Pattern

I've been whipping up these face scrubbies getting ready for Christmas and, hopefully, a boutique I am planning to open for pre-Christmas sales.  The scrubbies are going to be packaged in bundles of like color schemes, added to baskets with soaps and lotions and matching wash cloths and bath mitts.


Here's the instructions for yet another face scrubbie, this one is easy enough for any beginner and makes up super fast using remnants of cotton yarn from dish cloth projects.

For ease in printing this pattern or others I've posted,  or elsewhere on the web, here's a comment Viola left on one of my patterns that may help you:

"...As for the printing, if you do a "print preview" first, you can select only the pattern pages. I just tried it and the print is small, but nothing in the pattern was cut off...."
(signed),
Viola's Hook
----
Thank you Viola!----


Face Scrubbie #4 Pattern


With a size I crochet hook and a small amount of cotton yarn (size 4 such as Peaches N Creme or Lily's Sugar And Cream)


chain 2 loosley
Round 1:  In second ch from hook work (sc, ch1) six times.  Join to first sc with slip stitch (sl st)  if using contrast, fasten off.
Round 2:  Join contrast with sc in any ch 1 space, ch 2
   (sc in next ch 1 space, ch 2) five times , join to first sc with sl st (6 sc, 12 ch total)
Round 3: ch 1, (3 sc in ch 2 space, ch 1) around (total six times), join with sl st to first sc, fasten off if using contrast color.
Round 4: Attach main color wtih sc in any ch 1 space, sc in same ch 1 space, ch 1, skip next sc, sl st in next sc, ch 1, (2 sc in next ch 1 space, ch 1, skip 1 sc, sl st in next sc, ch 1)  around (five times) join with sl st to first sc, fasten off, weave in ends.

If you have any questions please feel free to email me or comment below

Caregiver Notes: Got A Medical Alert Button For Your Patient?

This morning I woke up to something banging, sounding something like the pipes banging whenever someone turns on a faucet in our house.
I listened some more and as the banging continued I realized it wasn't a faucet being turned on and off again and again to make the pipes bang.  All the dogs started barking wildly so I walked about the house trying to figure out what was banging like that. 


I opened Mom's bedroom door and there she was, on the floor, banging the little vanity trash can on the floor, trying to get someone's attention.  It was about the time I normally get up, luckily because if she had fallen in the middle of the night who knows how long it would have taken me to wake up?


Mom has one of those little buttons she wears around her neck while at home in case something like this happens and no one comes to her aid.  The button calls an operator working for the medical alert company who in turn pages the house on a box asking if she requires a paramedic. 

Well, apparently this service is not working because Mom said she pushed her button again and again for help and ... nothing.  That little button is doing her absolutely no good and costing she and her insurance plenty of money for that nothing.

If your patient has a button like this here are some things I suggest:

• Go with a reputable company, not just the one the insurance pays for.  The more well known companies are not that much more per month than the co-pay for the insurance - paid company. 
• Make sure whatever company you choose does a monthly operations check.  By this I mean the little box that comes with the button is programmed to remind you once a month to push your button for a safety check.  (The company we are using now does not do this.)
• Make sure the little box has an alarm on it that can be heard throughout the house.  Our box is way across the house from where my bedroom is.  I am moving it to my room tonight.
• Ask questions.   Write a list of questions you might have before you call the medical alert company.  You will be talking to a salesperson, most likely, and cuold be snowballed into getting a service you don't really want.  This is for the person who is depending on you for everything - make sure the button company is reputable and worthy of taking care of your patient as you are.

That's about it.  Do your homework.  Don't settle for cheap.  It's worth a few extra bucks to get one that you and your patient feel comfortable with.

As for Mom?  She's fine, a bit shook up still though.  I think her pride is hurting more than anything, but for her tailbone maybe.  She's says that's the only thing that's really sore.  I told her  "well, Mom, you've always let me know I'm  a pain in the a...."   I don't think she heard me.  ha. 

Here is the Google search results for Medical Alert Systems
Have fun browsing through them, there are many and I haven't a clue which to recommend to you. 
http://www.google.com/search?q=medical+alert+systems&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

Caregiver Notes: Off Topic - People To Take Seriously

This is a list of links that I urge you to visit.  Each site has valuable information that can benefit you and your family in some way.
Please indicate what site or sites you visited and what you think of them in the comments below.  I would love to know your reactions.

• Gentle Recovery; Tips And Tools For Healing From Trauma
• Embracing The Journey
• A High And Noble Calling
• The Glow Academy
• The Hal Lindsey Report (videos) : Author of The Late Great Planet Earth and more

I spent some time reading and listening to these sites and am deeply moved by them, especially Hal Lindsey's Report.  He is saying all the things I have thought about and felt in my heart for several years.  I can't really go into his dialog, I think it's better if you listen for yourself. 

All the sites have many useful links to other pages as well and if you have the time I would advise you check them out. 

Please do comment below if you are so inclined, after viewing these sites.  Thank you ahead of time.

Delicate Butterfly Doily Finally Finished

 I started this project - Delicate Butterfly Doily.... well, I guess it's been months ago now, and last night I sat down with it, determined to finish it off.  It has been hibernating in my pile of WIP (works in progress) for quite some time.  I am struggling with forcing myself to finish the WIP that I put aside before I begin anything new.  Yea, like that's going to happen!  Give me a break.  ha.


The beginning of the butterfly is posted HERE, if you care to take a gander at it.


I stupidly thought it was okay to use a crochet thread size 3 just because it was a pretty color.  It's okay to use size 3 thread - just not with a size 7 crochet hook.  If you're going to use the size 3 thread I recommend using a larger hook, possibly a 5 or even a size 3 hook.  The pattern itself doesn't have a material list so it's basically up to you.  The crochet bug that posted the pattern used size 10 thread and a size 7 hook which sounds like it would be great for the butterfly but it'll come out smaller than the one I made.


Here's the updated photos, please let me know if you've made this public domain pattern.  It's beautiful and I would love to post your photos of your delicate butterfly doily to show off here for others to be inspired and just say "Ahhhh, isn't that pretty?"  (grin)

Notes are below photos...

 The pattern was relatively easy to follow as long as I didn't have any distractions and was able to concentrate intently on each word and abbreviation in it.
Keeping careful track of the stitches and rows I made made it go along smoothly.  Once I forgot what row I was on and it was hell trying to figure out where I left off. 
Mark your pattern and your work as you go along and it should be okay.  (The rows are hard to count as they aren't in a straight line - advanced crocheters may not have a problem with this but I can see where a beginner might.  Keep in mind this pattern is do-able for a beginner, but definitely a good challenge.)

Caregiver Notes: A Word About Breast Cancer

Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer about a year ago, after she was given the "all clear" from the radiologist that examined her mammogram results.  Not a thing showed on the mammogram that indicated any type of malignancy and we thought all was okay.
Until, that is, Mom's breast became more and more deformed looking. 


Thinking the deformity in Mom's breast must be a blocked milk gland, we went on being grateful for the mammogram results.  One day when I was helping Mom in the shower I asked her if her breast was giving her any pain.  When she said "No, not at all" I knew something must be terribly wrong.  From experience I knew that any type of swelling in that area normally causes some pain, at any level.  Having no pain there didn't make sense and all the bells and whistles went off in my head.  Time to go back to the doctor.


In our family doctor's office, all was quiet.  Not the norm, in our doctor's office.  Usually everyone is joyful, smiling and kidding around.  When the doctor saw Mom's breast he got very quiet and concerned.  His sense of humor that usually spills out no matter what, disappeared and I became very afraid at that point.  I knew something was terribly wrong.

Our doctor sent us to the Cancer Care Associates group in Redondo Beach (California).  The oncologist there, Dr. Chan, took one look at Mom's breast, told me to cancel all the tests our family doctor set up.  Dr. Chan said there was no reason to continue with testing, it's very obvious Mom has breast cancer. 


We really didn't have any options as far as treating Mom for cancer goes.  Mom was 83 at the time of her diagnosis, has Parkinson's Disease, congestive heart failure and a slew of other medical problems.  At her age, surgery was out of the question and the cancer was too large a mass to operate anyway.  Radiation and chemo were too aggressive for Mom to handle as well.  Either would possibly make her so sick so could loose her life.  My heart sank at this news, I really didn't think cancer would be the end of Mom's life.  I was shocked, sad, and scared. 

Dr. Chan told us about a medication he wanted to try called Arimidex.  It's a tiny white pill that Mom would take once a day.  Dr. Chan said the medication had a fifty percent chance of working for her and if it did work, the pill would get rid of about half her cancer.  It was better than nothing so of course we said "We'll take it!"  (as if someone were offering us a deal on a used car or something). 


Three weeks after the appointment with the oncologist, just 21 days after taking her first little white pill, Mom's cancer was shrinking at an incredible rate.  She was highly responsive to the cancer pill and suffered virtually no side effects from it.  She didn't even have any of the joint pain the doctor mentioned she would probably get. 


Today Mom is doing well in spite of all that ails her.  Parkinson's Disease has not gotten the better of her, blood pressure readings remain inside the norm for her age (120/70), her ankles are not swollen (which would indicate some fluid retention which would be detrimental to her heart condition) and her skin is in great condition.  The cancer is going away so fast her breast has actually shrunk - the bad cells are being destroyed faster than her aging body can make good cells to replace them.  Mom made me laugh when she asked me, "What's the doctor want?  To wait till this falls off completely?"  I laughed and explained about the bad cell vs. good cell theory I had and to let her body do its thing to heal and to give it time.




At her last check up with the oncologist, the doc said Mom's blood test proved the cancer went away and is not affecting her vital organs.  All are functioning normally!

Thank God for Arimidex.  Thank God for more time I get to have with Mom.  What could have been the end became a growing experience and a new found trust in doctors, medications, and in finding out that God really does answer my prayers.