FM 9/15/08

What a week! I celebrated (?) International Crochet Day by going to the leg doctor's and wearing my capris with the crocheted flowers on them. I crocheted preemie hats while waiting for the appointment. I even wore one of my t-shirts from my Cafe' Press shop. But that didn't have anything to do with the outcome - I _still_ have to wear the boot for another 5 weeks (too bad it's not a pirate boot). But on the bright side, at least it's my leg and not my hand.\

Some important news for pet owners - there has been (another) pet food recall. This includes pet food from Wal-Mart as well as Wegman's store brand. Some brands are Old Roy, Special Kitty, Pedigree and Buju and Ziggie. This petfood can cause Salmonella serotype Schwarzengrund in your pets. Please check this site: http://www.petcare.mars.com/

On a sad note, "Essentia" will no longer be publishing a newsletter. L'Tanya Durante is part of "the sandwich generation" (as many folks are) and is not able to keep up with it. I wish M's Durante the best of luck in her future endeavors and I am happy to see that M's Durante does have a new craft blog. Here it is: http://www.craftnicity.com/

On with the show
If you have ever listened to "Dr Demento" on the radio, you'll know that September 19th of every year is "Talk Like a Pirate Day". To find out a little more about it, here's a link
http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html

What's that got to do with Freebie Monday? Well, there's a bit of a theme going on here...

These 2 patterns are for _sale_ not for free, but you might feel compelled to buy them to celebrate Talk Like A Pirate Day
Interweave Press Crochet Dread Pirate Sam (unless you have the edition with this pattern in it) http://shop.interweave.com/Crochet-Dread-Pirate-Sam-P202C59.aspx
and Scurvy Pirate pattern for sale
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6355011

This one is a freebie pattern from Lion Brand, a crochet pirate pal.
http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/70445AD.html

Or how about a Crochet Captain Teddy?
http://crochetme.com/patterns/captain-cute-pirate-teddy

here's a few links that aren't related to pirates.

This is a beautiful beaded crochet collar pattern.
http://www.pattern-making.com/crochet/beaded-crochet-collar

And at the same site, a crochet butterfly doily pattern.
http://www.pattern-making.com/crochet/crochet-butterfly-doily/

Here's a little something to dress up your little black dress:
http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/liza/liza.html

This is an incredibly cute scarf pattern - all hearts
http://pepperberry.typepad.com/my_weblog/conversation-hearts-scarf.html


I can't remember if I posted this or not - if I did, sorry, but here it is again, a crochet along with Lion Brand
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/20124AD.html


As usual, I receive no booty for listing these sites. I'd take some, but nobody's offering;)
_enjoy_

FM 5/19/08

New issues of the online "Crochet Cabana" newsletter is out:
http://www.crochetmemories.com/newsletters/newsletter.html

The May issue of Essentia is out. Check out that organized craft room!
http://www.black-purl-magazine.com/NEWS-051408.htm

I know it's a little late in my part of the world to be thinking of snowflakes - but I thought this was amazingly cool and perfect for a summer day.
http://www.crochetme.com/the-incredibly-versatile-giant-snowflake

Going to have folks over for a cookout? Maybe you can work in making an umbrella cover for your patio table inbetween making the potato salad?
http://www.knit1mag.com/patterns/2007/summer/k1su07_web1.pdf

Memorial Day in the US is the traditional start of beach / pool season. So maybe if you don't have time to make the umbrella cover, you can make a beach cover-up for yourself.
http://www.crochetme.com/June_July_2005/patt_waters_edge.htm

But if you're like me (running around like a crazy person, wondering why I always forget _something_ for a cookout), you might have enough time to make a headband.
http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/hedda/hedda.html

Noreen Crone-Findlay's blog shows her method of organizing hooks. I used a pencil case at one time, but now I have too many hooks for that. The idea of putting the large wooden ones in a cup or mug really appeals to me.
http://www.hankeringforyarn.com/organizing-crochet-hooks


Socks!? First I have stuff for the summer and now a design your own socks template pattern. Hey, it's not summer everywhere, you know. Plus folks do wear socks all year round. This is pretty cool because it allows you to adapt the sock to what you want.
http://crochet.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=crochet&cdn=hobbies&tm=12&gps=401_788_869_563&f=20&su=p284.5.420.ip_p445.92.150.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.crochetandknitting.com/sockstemplate.htm


Margaret Hubert does some of the most amazing patterns. It's good she comes out with crochet books frequently because that way my sons know what to get for me at gift giving time. Here's a free pattern for a butterfly from M's Hubert.

http://www.margarethubertoriginals.com/BUTTERFLY.html

And last but certainly not least, Roxycraft has a free amigurumi owl pattern. I thought it was quite cute. It could make a cute graduation gift package decoration.

http://roxycraft.wordpress.com/2008/05/13/woody-the-owl-free-amigurumi-pattern/

For those who have been following my trying to contact the "Crochet Fantasy" folks, I've gotten nowhere. I call and leave a message with the clerk (I presume she's a clerk) who answers the phone. Her reply is always the same "Some one will call you back". So far, no one has called me back. I'll keep trying, for what it's worth.

until next time, _enjoy_

fm April 14, 2007

I know in some parts of the world it's almost time to ditch the socks and go to sandals - but come on, socks are small and easy to carry with you project, so here's an easy sock pattern.
http://www.planetshoup.com/easy/crochet/ribsox.shtml

Want to see a crocheted swimsuit? This is cute.
http://www.crochetsal.com/summeryswimsuit.htm

Carol Ventura does fantastic tapestry crochet - and if you like cats, this is perfect for you.
http://www.tapestrycrochet.com/KittyBag.htm

A new edition of the Essentia newsletter (Black Purl) for your reading pleasure.
http://www.black-purl-magazine.com/NEWS-041108.htm

This looks like a really cool exhibit if you plan to be in the Pittsburgh area anytime before the end of June, 2008.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/westmoreland/s_560494.html

Here's a cute pair of earrings from Roxycraft:
http://roxycraft.wordpress.com/2008/04/07/free-pattern-cherry-pickers-crochet-cherry-earrings/

Since in some places it's getting warmer, here's a lovely lace top to crochet.
http://naturallycaron.com/projects/aqua_aloha/aqua_aloha_1.html

Lady Linoleum always has wonderful offbeat handwork on her blog. I love the lobsters on this shawl, but I love how lobsters _look_. They just make me laugh. I have no idea why.
Lobster Bake Shawl

Looking for a new fence for the yard? This is a beautiful fence (not crocheted, but I still thought it was cool). Really cool.
http://www.demakersvan.com/

Lots of free reading this week - a new issue of "Crochet Insider"
http://www.crochetinsider.com/

This looks like a great place to check out crochet toys:
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080329/LIFESTYLES0104/803290305/-1/lifestylesfront

Starch?! I didn't know anyone used liquid starch anymore, I thought my mom used the world's supply on my petticoats and my dad's boxers.....
http://teenhobbies.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/adding-starch-to-your-finished-crochet-projects/
.
Cute little caterpillar pattern:
http://groups.msn.com/CwmEnfysCrochet/rainbowcaterpiller.msnw

As usual, I receive no kickbacks from any of these sites.
_enjoy_