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somuchforemily — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:11:43 +0000

For the longest time I had this Christmas garland on my bedroom windows. As most things go I tired of it and decided it was time for something newer, better, cuter.

Something like, oh, say, pompoms? Yes. I’m not sure of the colors I picked. I was going to go with some of the junkier yarns I have, but then I added on the gray that were already made and in with my supply.

I also wanted them to be kinda shabby, which none of them are. Now the gray and the dark pink were already made, so the ones I made specifically for this project were the yellow, blue, and light pink. You can kinda see a hint of shabbyness, but it’s not enough to look like I was trying to do that.

I’ve also thought of changing it up with some I made using Christmas yarn, though now that Christmas has passed that idea will be shelved until November.

A New Year, A New Garland Animal Services

4animals — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:33:17 +0000

As we approach 2010, let’s make a resolution (one we actually keep) to make improvements to Garland Animal Services. To do this, we need the support of citizens, the city council, the mayor and the media. Make it your mission to get this support. Contact the mayor’s office, your city councilperson, newspapers, tv stations and talk to your friends, family, coworkers, etc about all the issues that need to be addressed. It’s VERY important that those in city government understand that Garland citizens want improvements to animal services in Garland. They need to remember that they answer to the citizens.

I will use this blog to report on issues and provide relevant, objective information. Use this blog to make your comments and to connect with other citizens who support these changes. I know that we can do this!

Blue Series Garland element

dumeihua — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 21:49:13 +0000

Download AI URL: http://www.imgcapture.com/?p=1712

Material description:

A light blue background of the above nature are placed in the deep blue flowers and foliage to form a blue gradient gorgeous wreath samples of the middle of the text of the blessing you can fill in like language.

A light blue background with white graffiti techniques also used the performance of today’s fashion aesthetic elements.

festive

reinierdejong — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 11:28:20 +0000

Garland Computer repair

computerrepair4all — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 10:15:05 +0000

You are not satisfied with your present internet connection in the network you are using , need some fast internet speed for business purpose , searching for a experienced technician from a computer repair centre, probably you came to the right place.Call today Garland Computer repair

December 19th - Kid's Paper Chain Garland

kmthornton — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:31:58 +0000

Still playing catch-up from the wedding with lots of assistance from my little helper!

All you need is construction paper, tape, and a paper trimmer or scissors.

Our paper was 9″x12″, so I cut each sheet into eight 1.5″x9″ strips.

Then the littler helper takes over.

Make strip into a circle with the edges just overlapping.

Tape in place.

Put a second strip through the first circle.

Make into a circle and tape in place.

Keep repeating.

make the chain as long as you want! put on the tree, hang over a doorway or window, etc.

Winter patterns

Chef's Kiss — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:23:46 +0000

Animals garland, snowflake and candy cane Christmas patterns for Orange, illustrated by me. Select a thumbnail to see full size image.

Garland

beccabugzoo — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:23:15 +0000

Christmas Garlands at {what next}

winterthorn — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 07:16:33 +0000

Traditional Christmas greenery … sculpty pine garlands with bows.perfect for fireplaces, doorways or above picture frames.

Available in cream, red velvet or Christmas stripe bows.

See them at our Christmas and Winter Store!http://whatnextshop.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post-new.php?preview=true

Crocheted Winter Solstice

quainthomesteader — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:48:14 +0000

We have a very small Solstice Tree since we moved the computer desk into the living room to make room for Julian. This year I found a pattern to crochet garland for it, and it’s so cute I made a star topper to match! I used a thin white yarn with a silver thread through it for the garland. The topper I cut out of a pie tin, poked some holes in it and outlined the star with the same yarn, and crocheted around it. To save a bit on the electric bill, I put the pre-lit tree on a timer so I don’t even have to remember to turn it on or off! It’s perfect! I also took some time today to weed out Solstice decorations that I don’t really need or use and passed them on to someone on FreeCycle. Next time I’m feeling blue, someone remind me to make a donation to FreeCycle, because it feels so good helping out a person in need!

Whatever Holy-Day you celebrate, have a Blessed one!

Liz

My Mini Tree

Close Up on Crocheted Garland

felted garland

smallbirdblog — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:01:21 +0000

I love handmade Christmas decorations, but I hardly had any that were made by my own hands…until now…

I think I meant to make this felted garland last year…but I never got around to it. (That’s a familiar tune around here this time of year.) It was not *quite* as quick and easy as I had hoped, but that’s probably due, in part, to my perfectionism rearing it’s ugly head halfway through this thing. That’s not to say that it was difficult, by any means. I just added some extra steps.

I used about 1.5 oz. wool roving in several colors, and got about 48 balls out of it. I needed two pairs of stockings to tie up the roving, and used the washing machine technique for felting. The problem was that wherever the stocking gathered between knots, it created a crease in the felted ball. I wound up with 48 little brightly colored…fannies (which you can sort of see in the bowl in the photo below). Ahem. So I hauled my fanny to the craft store and bought some needle felting tools. I’d only tried needle felting once, at a sheep and wool festival, but that little demo provided me with all the knowledge I needed for this project i.e., stabstabstabstabstabstabstab…

I arranged the various felted balls in a perfectly random pattern (I know, I have a problem), and used a natural, twine-colored worsted weight yarn to string them.

I love the handmade touch they add to my mantle.

Adopt a Shelter Pet or Sponsor a Shelter Pet

4animals — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:05:20 +0000

If you have been thinking of getting a new pet for Christmas, consider adopting from the Garland Animal Shelter. The adoption fees are $35 for spayed/neutered dogs, cats, puppies or kittens. There are a wide variety of dogs and cats in the shelter to suit anyone’s lifestyle.

If you don’t think you want another pet in your house, or just don’t want one at all, consider sponsoring a dog or cat. This is a relatively new program where you donate money towards the adoption fee of a dog or cat that can be difficult to adopt. The adoption fee is reduced or zero for that particular dog or cat (selected by the staff) which can result in a greater chance for adoption. Follow the link below for more information.

http://www.ci.garland.tx.us/Home/Departments/Community+Services/Animal+Services/Sponsored+Adoption+Program_landing.htm

The Kittens....

ChickNamedHermia — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:29:32 +0000

Floyd

Judy

The Holidays! A time that is supposed to be fun, loving... However is most of the time stressful!

laggylife — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:28:28 +0000

Where do you think you’re going? Nobody’s leaving. Nobody’s walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We’re all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We’re gonna press on, and we’re gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he’s gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse. The immortal words of Clark W Griswald from 1989’s National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. A staple for my generation. I can recite every word! I have watched it three times already this year. I have it on DVD and VHS! That has to say something.

So here is a run down of the things that make Christmas, Christmas to me!

Cadbury Selection Boxes —

Oh how we waited for these on Christmas morning. Usually they were sent from Ireland and a little worse for the wear but they were still the highlight!

Christmas Caroling in Public School. Every morning in the two weeks before Christmas, in the wee hours, we would pile into the gym and sing carols! I loooooved it! This happened to be and still is my fave!

As I got a little older and met my best friend the high point of the Christmas Season was to break out the John Denver and the Muppets CD at work and make EVERYONE ELSE CRAZY! This is the best!

Now every girl who grew up in the 80s loved WHAM! I don’t care what you say you did! This was one of their most famous songs and as a matter of fact is my ring tone right now! here is the best remake yet!

Some of the best movies ever made are about Christmas. Home Alone…

Christmas with the Kranks!

Surviving Christmas…

The Family Man. http://www.family-man.com/

The Family Stone! I CANNOT watch this with crying!

And the Best of all time… Serendipity! Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack how much more could you ask for!

Sleeping over at my Grandparents on Christmas Eve, opening one gift before bed. Waking up on Christmas day to pressies all over the living room. Breakfast and then playing and then dinner! OH!

I still want a But hey I can dream!

I think my fave Christmas gift EVER was the year that I got chewie! My Grandmother had hidden it in her closet and was pretending something was growling in there and I had to go find it and there he was. I still have it too!

That putting up our Christmas tree was a big affair and how much my father loved putting the glass balls, the tinsle and what he referred to as a Judy but most would know as a Garland! Ha ha! Get it? Our Special icicle lights, our trips to Pioneer Village and having dinner in the half way house!

Soooooo many things come to mind that I could stay here and write forever but alas. I have other things I need to move onto!

So now I wish you a happy holiday no matter what you are celebrating. I wish you love, joy, peace, warmth, family, a full tummy and contentment! Then onto the New Year, I hope it is everything that you could ever wish it to be.

I will leave you with another set of words of wisdom from Clarkey boy!

Hey! If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one. I’d like Frank Shirley, my boss, right here tonight. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other rich people and I want him brought right here, with a big ribbon on his head, and I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, dickless, hopeless, heartless, fat-ass, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey shit he is! Hallelujah! Holy shit! Where’s the Tylenol?

Holiday Wishes from France

lolbusiness — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:16:02 +0000

You know that you’ve had too much to drink at the office party when you start faking french. We just hope that one of these women is not the boss. We’re not sure if it started to break down when they wrapped themselves in garland or when they put those hats on. Thank God there was no mistletoe in the building.

Even funnier, a woman at the party thought the fake french talker was really french. Will the real parisian please stand up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgKEVrQP5kU

44-D's Twenty-Five Days of Christmas Music Videos (Dec 14th)

audiegrl — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:15:55 +0000

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Performed by Judy Garland

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is a Christmas song introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 MGM musical Meet Me in St. Louis. Frank Sinatra later recorded a version with modified lyrics, which has become more common than the original. The song was credited to Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, although during a December 21, 2006 NPR interview, Martin said that Blane had encouraged him to write the song but had not had anything more to do with writing it. In 2007, ASCAP ranked “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” the third most performed Christmas song written by ASCAP members of the past five years.

more about "Meet Me in St. Louis – Have Yourself …", posted with vodpod

Lyrics

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
Next year all our troubles will be
out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the yule-tide gay
Next year all our troubles will be
miles away
Once again as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who were dear to us
Will be near to us once more
Someday soon, we all will be together
If the Fates allow
Until then, we’ll have to muddle through somehow
So have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

Christmas in the Air

theabelecz — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:33:54 +0000

The last three days have been spent making beautiful Christmas cookies to share with our friends. We’ve received five inches of snow in the last two days and it really put me in the mood! These cookies (see picture below) are not QUICK to produce. At one point yesterday, covered in flour and a wee bit frazzled, I suggested to my best buddy and husband that we take a break and go walk-about downtown. We scuffed through powdery snow with our dog and visited with friends we met in the street. We paid a visit to the local thrift store where I purchased a beautiful Ann Taylor heavily beaded and sequined silk top for my only and best daughter, Anna. I also bought a tacky, gaudy tinsel garland for my little Christmas tree. The tree just wasn’t looking quite right and I figured this garland would do the trick – it did! I love it now. Sometimes, there’s nothing like a bit of garish glitter to brighten up your day! If you look to the left of the Christmas tree in the picture below, you’ll see the Styrofoam angel my daughter made in grade school. I treasure it.

On the business side of things, Anna is rolling out my new labels now and I’m so excited! The new lip balm labels are ready and the new Gardener’s Healing Hand and Body cream, 2 oz. I invite any reader to visit my business site (there’s a button for it to the left or click here Thea’s Bee Beautiful organic skin care) and tell me which label you like best – the old one on the website, or the new one pictured here on my backyard fence. I love to read comments!

New Labels!

Gaudy Garland

Yummy and Pretty Christmas Cookies!

Cheap, Chic Christmas Decor

karakrautter — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 04:47:50 +0000

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… Well, it is for me! I love the holiday season, especially Christmas. All of my happiest childhood (and young adult) memories seem to focus on the time right after Thanksgiving through the New Year. The lights, the carols, festive drinks and dresses — and getting to spend a lot of quality time with my wonderful family and friends.

Ever since I’ve had a place of my own, I started collecting my own Christmas decorations. Even if I would only see them for the few weeks between the end of Thanksgiving break and finals, it was worth it! Starting with an easy to pack in a suitcase advent calendar from my mom to have in my dorm room years ago, each holiday season I find a few new things to add to my collection and hold on to a couple old mementos.

For those that know me well (and have seen enough of my condo via this blog), you know that I’m a bit of a minimalist when it comes to decorating. Christmas at my place is no different. It’s all about unique, meaningful pieces that add just the right amount of jolly.

This year, after a long day at work, I decided that I needed a little Christmas cheer from the one and only Target. There is something about this store that just sucks me in. But, thankfully I kept things simple and only picked up a few new decorations. Since this is my second Christmas at the condo (crazy to think where the time has gone) and I knew exactly what I wanted to add:

Garland with white lights for my stairs – The house where I grew up is one story, so I never had the quintessential garland along the stair rail. Now I do, for just $9.99 + about $2 for the bows.

A quick and cheap modification to year-round items – The leftover bows from the garland worked perfectly to transform my circle mirrors into ‘ornaments.’

My own wreath with my own holder- Last year I borrowed an extra wreath and holder from my mom, but for around $15 dollars I now have my own. I found a seasonal simple wreath and modified the cheaper faux-gold holder with the leftover silver paint from my fireplace redo so the holder can be used all year-round.

Next on the list is all the holiday baking and snacks to prepare and share!

Fancy.

noodleanddoodles — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:55:10 +0000

Tie-Dye t-shirts and glittery garland equals fancy.

Christmas Time at the Lewis Residence.

noodleanddoodles — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:51:16 +0000

We’re all decorated around these parts. The decorations are out, the lights are up, the ornaments are hung. It feels like Christmas! So I thought I’d share my favorite Christmas decorations I have around the house.

Our tree is a hodge podge (is that how you spell it?) of things we have had since we were kids, ornaments that have benn handed down, new ones given, and a few we’ve purchased. I love it! We have no theme, it’s just ours, and it’s perfect. And if you are wondering I’m hanging our cards from the red ribbon hanging in the window. I just don’t have anything to hang them with yet.

These are some of my favorite ornaments…

They were given to me by my Grandma and they may have been her mothers. I think I have 16 in all which is amazing to have that many in such good condition. She thinks they are about 50 to 60 years old and I love them.

We don’t have a fireplace (insert my sad face) so I had to get creative with the stockings this year. The little man would have pulled those heavy stocking hangers right onto himself so instead I took our curtain off our back door and hung the stockings there. Perfect (insert me patting myself on the back).

I am almost positive these were all my Grandma’s. I sometimes forget what came from my mom and what came from my Grandma. I should be better at that.

The kitchen would not be complete without candy. And I am almost certain the kisses jar came from my mom.

I made some snowflake garland this year. I love glitter at Christmas and I had these snowflakes, so I just tied on some twine and voila! (Again insert the patting of the back)

And last but not least, the outside of the house. It puts me in the Christmas spirit.

Merry Christmas!

Symphonic Dances II

azuriteenigma — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:28:40 +0000

Thursday 10 December 2009 at 7.30pm

Symphony Hall, Birmingham +44 (0)121-780 3333

Kristjan Järvi conductor
Tim Garland saxophone
Eduardo Vassallo cello

Ginastera: Estancia 14′
Garland: Double Concerto (world premiere) 25′
Bernstein: West Side Story: Symphonic Dances 24′
Ravel: Daphnis and Chloé – Suite No. 2 18′

Dynamic conductor Kristjan Järvi brings his love of jazz and classical music together in a highly charged programme that’s intoxicated by dance rhythms. Ravel’s sensual ballet and Bernstein’s New York teen take on Romeo and Juliet are both classics of the repertoire. Ginastera’s earthy ballet is also a riot of Argentine colour, and provides an appropriate prelude to Acoustic Triangle member and leading jazz composer Tim Garland’s new concerto, composed for him and the CBSO’s cello section leader, and paying tribute to the dance rhythms of the latter’s native Argentina. www.cbso.co.uk

Encore – Ginastra

Review by Christopher Morley, Birmingham Post:

http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/birmingham-culture/music-in-birmingham/2009/12/11/review-cbso-kristjan-jarvi-at-symphony-hall-birmingham-65233-25374726/

“…But those who stayed away from Thursday’s CBSO concert missed a wonderful display of exuberance and orchestral virtuosity under the kinetic baton of Kristjan Jarvi, … Riches came with the Symphonic Dances from Bernstein’s West Side Story, awash with colour, zestful in delivery, and oozing with every kind of emotion. …”

Review by Geoff Brown, Times:

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/live_reviews/article6956154.ece

“…Järvi’s jiggling baton spurred fire and precision. Fingers clicked; the players shouted “Mambo!” Best of the best was Ravel’s second Daphnis et Chloé suite, which proceeded from daybreak to paroxysm with the atmospheric lustre and bloom of an orchestra happy on its home turf.”

Protect!! Go Gaban!!

zekexlaws — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:19:57 +0000

Yeah!! Space Cop Gaban!! What the Heck, anyway, My PC lately been attack by several Virus and other

Warm Up Your Home's Outdoors This Holiday Season

oakvillerealtor — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:21:21 +0000

Why should the interior of your home get all the attention this holiday season? The great outdoors deserve to be celebrated, too, with beautiful festive touches guaranteed to make your home appear warm and inviting from the very first glance.

(Source: HGTV.ca by Marissa Ponikowski)

We’ve put together a list of eight gorgeous ideas for decking your home’s exterior with seasonal flair. Check them out, try a few and don’t be surprised if your home is the most fabulous looking one on the block this year.

Front Door Folly

The front door is the very place to start when creating a sense of outdoor merriment. Wreaths are a natural choice, and these days they sure don’t make ‘em like the used to. Search the shops for twig and berry wreaths, or modish confections constructed from feathers. The crafty among us can create wreaths from practically anything: try twigs out of the yard or forest, berries, nuts and dried flowers. Dress them up with satin bows. To give your door even more elegance, don’t settle for just one wreath – a new trend is to hang three wreaths on a door, top to bottom. If you just love the wreath look, adorn the windows of your house with them as well. Doors and windows can also be decorated with swags of greenery affixed to tin decorations. Frame archways with foliage, lights and ribbons. Bright bows, garlands and weatherproof ribbons are other musts for day to night front door cheer.

Porch Pizzazz

Especially when expecting guests, create a warm and welcoming entranceway using lanterns, plants and homespun decorations on your porch. Create or purchase sparkling tin can lanterns to hang by the doorway, brighten up the snowy world with several potted poinsettias (fake ones work well if it’s just to cold for the plants to survive a few hours) or gift wrap empty boxes weighted with bricks and arrange in a pile near your front door. String lit garlands along railings and place votive candles in hurricane lamps along the front steps. If you have a bench on your porch, dress it up with lights, greenery and berries. And don’t forget to pick up a festive door mat the next time you’re out shopping – these are available at most department stores and make for a truly convivial front porch addition.

Lighting it Up

Outdoor lights have undergone a real makeover in the past few years. No more tangled, frustrating strands of hard to put up bulbs. Instead, new styles feature ultra simple clips that make it easy to affix them to banisters, rain gutters, door frames and even along walkways. Fiber-optic trees and pre-lit garlands have also hit the market, making outdoor holiday decorating a breeze.

A few tips:

Enlist a helper, rather than climbing up on that ladder all by yourself.
Test each strand of lights before you hang it and measure the distance you need your light strands to cover instead of ending up on an emergency trip to the store.
Don’t overdo it! You don’t want your home to resemble the Griswold’s.
Do remember to take the lights down at some point in January – any later is just bad form.

Tree Time

Trees represent a new frontier in outdoor decorating options. Instead of simply spangling them with lights, think of creative ways to jazz up your vegetation. Smaller, potted trees and bushes can be dressed in bright bows and ornaments and placed in sleighs or decorated wheelbarrows. Find sturdy tin stars and affix them to tree tops. If you choose to hang lights, pick soft ice blues and muted clears or whites rather than harsh blinking reds and greens. Faux outdoor candles can also be attached to tree branches for an old fashioned look. Also try placing ornaments and gazing globes at the bases of trees or wrapping lights around trunks and placing reflective ornaments in boughs.

Windows to the Soul

Use your windows as a frame to the jovial holiday atmosphere within your house. Be sure to place your tree near a window for all to see, and take special care to decorate the window it is viewed through. Use faux outdoor candles along window sills or adorn your windows with strings of soft lights. Don’t use bright, garish blinkers around windows. Not only are they tacky, but they’ll likely start to bother you when you’re curled up on the couch, reading a favourite holiday tale. Windows can be framed with swags of foliage and garlands of berries, too. Use your window boxes in the winter as well by filling them with evergreen boughs, berries, holly, pinecones and subtle lights.

Path Perfection

The path or walkway leading up to your home can be accented using lanterns, lights and candles. This serves a double purpose: not only does it look rather lovely, it also lights the way for guests and family during those dark winter evenings. Use a strand of clear holiday lights affixed to plastic stakes. If the ground is frozen, employ a screwdriver or hammer to force through a hole for the stake. Cover stakes and exposed cord with garland. Be sure to test your lights and measure carefully. Walkways and stairs can be lit with tall pillar candles in tin buckets or sturdy, clear glass containers as well. For a medieval look, hang lanterns or lamps on long stakes or poles.

Ice Time

Porches, walkways, windowsills and planters can be decorated with stunning yet simple ice lanterns. The bonus is that you needn’t worry about these breaking or blowing away! There are many ways to create ice lanterns but the most simple is to fill a balloon with water and place it in a bowl in your freezer. Once it has partially frozen, remove from the freezer, carefully peel away the balloon, poke a hole in the top big enough for a votive to fit through, and pour out any excess water. Drop a votive through the hole and light it with a barbecue lighter, or use a stick or skewer lit with a match.

You can also make a lantern using a small plastic bucket, plastic cup and small pieces of evergreen branches, cut up citrus fruits, small bunches of grapes, and berries. Line the sides and bottoms of the bucket with the greens and fruit and place the plastic cup in the middle. Secure the cup close to the top of the bucket with duct tape so it doesn’t float around and fill the area between the bucket and cup with water. Next, simply place the entire kit and caboodle outside or in the freezer overnight. Once your creation is frozen solid, set the bucket in a sink filled with warm water. Loosen and remove the ice lantern and place a votive candle in the hole created by the cup. Presto – you’ve got a gorgeous lantern to place outdoors!

For the Birds

Let those hardy birds who stick around for the winter in on some of your seasonal cheer, too! There are many ways to attractively transform your yard into a holiday buffet designed just for nature’s carolers. Try cutting a bagel in two and spreading peanut butter on both halves. Next, place it face down on a plate covered with nuts, seeds and berries. Hang the bagels in your trees using brightly coloured ribbon. The same can be done by rolling pine cones in peanut butter and nuts and seeds, too. Bird baths and birdhouses can also be dressed up for the holidays. Use weatherproof ribbons and evergreen garlands – but avoid nuts and berries, unless you want these decorative touches to be eaten, too!

Super Stars Amigurumi: Free Crochet Pattern

Amy — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:41:40 +0000

These little sassy stars fell from the sky and onto my Christmas tree just for Christmas, but you will find they can appear all year round . They can appear as a Mario Invincibility Star (and make friends with your Mario Mushrooms), as a garland for your bedroom, as a good luck charm on a birthday card, or even as cute little decorations on your scarf.

There are lots of different crochet patterns out there for stars, but as usual I like to try my own! I wanted one that was small, easy, based off the Amigurumi style of crocheting and didn’t require me to cut the yarn at the end of each star arm. So lets get straight into the pattern.

Super Stars Amigurumi Pattern

My patterns are written down as I create my crochet patterns, but let me know if there is anything missing.

Techniques

You will use the basic amigurumi crochet techniques: magic circle, slip stitch, single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc), and triple/treble crochet (tr). The hdc and dc are demonstrated in the sweet spring flowers crochet tutorial.
The triple/treble crochet stitch is similar: yarn over twice, insert into stitch, yarn over again, pull through, then yarn over. You should have five loops on your hook. If you count the loops starting from your hook (i.e. the one nearest to your hook is #1 and your most recent yarn over; the one at the end is #5 was the one originally on your hook), pull through lops 2&3. Yarn over again – you will have four loops on your hook. Pull through the new loops 2&3. Yarn over again – you will now have three loops left. Pull through the final two loops (2&3), and you will have one loop left on your hook – congratulations, you have done a treble crochet! As soon as I get around to making my crochet stitch photo tutorial, I will remove this lengthy description
Note: US crochet stitch terminology is used.

Materials

* Yarn in whatever colour you like (plus black yarn if you want faces)
* Crochet Hook
* Needle (if you want to do faces or sew two stars together)
* Ribbon, etc, if you want to make a garland.

Pattern

RND1: 5sc magic circle [5]
Slip stitch to join (you don’t have to though)
RND2: 3sc in next sc. Repeat [15]
Slip stitch to join (you don’t have to though)

RND3: you will use three stitches per star arm (i.e. 3×5 arms = the 15 stitches from the previous round ). What you need to do in each of these three stitches for a star arm is explained next:
In first stitch: slip stitch then chain 1.
In the second stitch: half double crochet, chain 1, triple/treble crochet, chain 1 or 2 [*see below]
In the third stitch: double crochet, half double crochet, chain 1.

Now repeat these steps for each star arm. Slip stitch and knot to finish off. Give each star arm a pinch to make it a bit more pointed.

*= whether you chain 1 or 2 at this point will depend on your yarn thickness, hook size, and/or your tension. I found that when I used a smaller hook I needed 2 chains to make a nicer point, but with the same yarn and a larger hook I only needed 1 chain (as 2 made a big gap). Play around and see what looks best!

Kawaii cupcake faces for inspiration! **Click photo for source**

Decorate and use your star as you please! I stitched kawaii (cute) faces on mine with some black yarn.

A few ideas…
You can attach spare yarn or ribbon to the top to use as a Christmas tree ornament, or string a bunch of stars together as a garland. The stars can be attached to other crochet items, such as blankets, scarves, hats, toys, or to other items like hair clips, bags, hairbands, etc. You may also like to make a second star to stitch to the first (to hide the stitches on the back of the face), which you can fill with stuffing, cloves, potpurri, etc.

Note: Although this pattern is so basic it would have been made many times before, do not repost my writing anywhere else!

Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do

December 3, 2009 by Amy | Edit

I’m half crazy, all for the love of you

It won’t be a stylish marriage

I can’t afford a carriage

But you’ll look sweet on the seat

Of a bicycle built for two!

My Nanna seems to always sing this whenever she sees daisies…so the first two lines always pops in my head too whenever I see them now! More daisies for my welcome to summer – and a reminder of summer for those of you in the north of the world . Until January 4th I’ll have the wordpress snow on my pages, so it is quite interesting to see snow falling over my daisies!

Posted in Miscellaneous, Photography | Tagged christmas, daisy, flower, Photography, rhyme, summer | Leave a Comment »

Mini Mario Mushroom Amigurumi

December 1, 2009 by Amy | Edit

The mini mushrooms in the world of Mario are tasked with many things. The little red ones have the special job of helping Mario and his friends grow bigger and stronger to assist them on their adventures.

However, not all the mushrooms are sure of their fate. This mini Mario Mushroom is questioning whether it is really his destiny to help people grow large. He is off on a journey of self discovery, to see whether he can find a more fulfilling place in the world. So far he has become enamoured with the idea of Christmas, and plans to spend the next month as an ornament on a Christmas tree. He is waiting for my tree to go up, so he is practising in a Christmas-tree-like bush in my backyard.

He is very grateful for my hospitality and has shared with me the secret of how the mini mushrooms are created. He is very emphatic that more mushrooms should have the opportunity to find their destiny too, so make sure you mix up the colours and embellishments to create your own individual mushies They would love to hang out with you this Christmas, so make sure to make a bunch of them to pop on your tree, hang up as a garland, or put in a bowl with pinecones and other lovely Christmassy-smelling stuff.

Mini Mario Mushroom Amigurumi Pattern

My patterns are written down as I create my amigurumi, but let me know if there is anything missing.

Techniques

You will use the basic amigurumi crochet techniques: magic circle, slip stitch, single crochet (sc), increase, and invisible decrease.
Note: US crochet stitch terminology is used. ch=chain, sc=single crochet, 2sc in next sc=increase, sc2tog=decrease (crochet two sc together to make one sc). I use the invisible decrease method for all decreases.

Materials

* Yarn: Red, White, and Scrap length of Black for the eyes (but try all different colours for your mushrooms!)
* Polyfill stuffing
* Crochet Hook
* Needle (one with an eye big enough for yarn, and one for your embroidery thread)
* Optional: other decorative items (e.g. beads, buttons, sequins)

Pattern

Mushroom

Start with Red Yarn

RND1: 6sc magic circle [6]
RND2: 2sc in next sc. Repeat [12]
RND3: sc in next sc, 2sc in next sc. Repeat [18]
RND4: sc in next 2 sc, 2sc in next sc. Repeat [24]
RND5: 24 sc around [24]
RND6: 24 sc around [24]
RND7: 24 sc around [24]
RND8: 24 sc around [24]
RND9: sc2tog. Repeat [12]
**Slip stitch in back stitch only to add in white.**
RND10: 12 sc around in back stitch only for this round [12]
RND11: sc in 2 sc, 2sc in next sc. Repeat [16]
RND12: 14 sc around [16]
RND13: sc2tog. Repeat [8] **stuff mushroom**
RND14: sc2tog. Repeat [4]
Slip stitch and finish off.

Mushroom: Spots [make 3-4 in white]

RND1: 4sc magic circle [4]
RND2: 2sc in next sc. Repeat [8]
RND3: sc in next sc, 2sc in next sc. Repeat [12]
Slip stitch and finish off. Leave a long yarn for sewing.
Sew spots to top of mushroom.

Whip stitch (just stitch “over-and-under” a couple of times with needle and black yarn) eyes onto white part of mushroom.

guests during the holidays

angelareiss — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:05:34 +0000

- Day 17 -

When I was sixteen, we had a rather funny/odd occurrence at our house during Christmas time. Our chimney was not capped and a family of squirrels must have decided they needed a change of address because, they moved in! Perhaps it was the ambiance and free rent! {shrug} ; ) After hearing some rustling in the hearth, (thank goodness it was screened AND had glass doors on it!) my mom called an animal control expert to come take care of the problem. I remember sitting in the living room as he looked up into the chimney.. poking and prodding.. trying to get a good gauge of the nest. He pulled out a little guy who was no longer living, and proceeded to nudge around some more. I can’t recall how many squirrels he pulled out.. how many were dead or how many were living.. but I do remember the one who came out to play. Everyone in the room jumped back a bit when he escaped the hands that were trying to catch him. My mom let out a VERY loud shriek as he lunged for the couch, where I was sitting!!! I threw my arms over my head as he flew over me.. and watched as he landed on the other side of the sofa, where he did NOT stop. Taking off again, he leapt through the Christmas tree and from there I can’t really remember what happened. All I know is, he was finally trapped in the corner by the front door! Crazy times!

This year, we have a host of spiders living in our tree. I discovered them as we were decorating. I don’t consider myself a namby-pamby when it comes to bugs… until I see one! I freaked out! Imagine, if you will, a bit more tamed version of Elaine (from Seinfeld) dancing.. yup, that’s me freaking out! On one hand, we cut the tree down, we moved those poor spiders and I feel really bad about it. On the other hand, I want them gone! Like a good husband, Damon went out and got spider traps to put in the tree.. and spray in case we see any that got away. We don’t want any surprises in the spring! However, I still shiver when I have to go near it. So I decided to make a spidey free tree!

Starting with a paper mache tree, I measured different widths from top to bottom and marked it with a pencil. I used four different colors (all different brands because I used whatever was here) to paint and they are as follows.. Delta Cermacoat White and Lime Sorbet. Anita’s Leaf Green. Color Tradition’s Citrus. I also used DecoArt Craft Twinkles as the glitter for the white and dark green lines. I used a foam brush to paint and added some glass buttons strung on clear stretchy string as an accent. I “sort of” finished it off by using a wire garland to wrap around the tree from top to bottom. I say “sort of” because I still want to add some decorative scrapbook tape and a maybe a sticker or two, but didn’t want to run to the store to look at them. I will post another picture when it is completely complete.

“Sing hey! Sing hey!
For Christmas Day;
Twine mistletoe and holly.
For a friendship glows
In winter snows,
And so let’s all be jolly!”
- Author Unknown