Crocheted Shrug for Granddaughter

When I received the Winter 2011 Issue of Interweave Crochet, I knew I had to make the Aslan Shrug.  Here's the first one (for my granddaughter):

I'll be making more of these...

Ouch!

Well, this is embarrassing - Broken ankle.  

The good news is that the motorcycle looks worse.  Long story short: someone stopped quickly in front of me and when I hit the brakes, the rear end slid out, and I tumbled off.  I was only going around 10-15 miles per hour, but when I stepped off the sliding motorcycle, I broke my left ankle.

We're moving!

When I started this blog, I thought it would be about my crochet, and it has been, mostly, but through the years, I've added some non-crochet topics as well.

This entry is one of those entries.

We're moving!  But not far.  We found a lot in a 55+ manufactured home community about 10 miles from our current house. 

Here are some pictures showing the progression of the building process...

First, the lot - an unused lot - we couldn't believe our luck.  This community has been around since the early 1970's and this lot was not developed.  Until now... 

Here is the lot as it was when we purchased it in March, 2011

The lot has a couple of advantages we love - the first is that it backs up to a canyon, so we have a terrific view to the rear (with no neighbors behind us)...there's even a stream at the bottom of the canyon.

Our view out the back of the lot

The view out the front of our house is unusual in this neighborhood, as well - the owner of the lot across the street actually purchased two lots and planted trees in the one directly across from our lot.

This view is looking from the rear of our bare lot back toward the street and the tree-filled lot across the street

The foundation has been poured and ready for the installation of the house.  This picture was taken 1 week after lot improvement started.

November 22, 2011 - the day of installation - foundation footing is ready.

The house arrived in two sections.  The first section with the main area of the front porch arrived first...

First section arrived at 10:00 AM (right on schedule)

Installing the first section

The second section arrived about 1:00 PM.

They make this look so easy

Over the next few days, the two halves were joined together, the foundation blocks were installed, steps were poured in front and on the side, the house was lowered onto the foundation and work began on the utility hook-ups and the driveway.

The two halves were joined

The block foundation was added and the house was lowered onto it

Steps were added to front, rear and side of house (these are in the rear)

The driveway was poured and railings were added to the steps

This is our back porch - overlooking the canyon

At this point, we're waiting for the completion of the hook-up of utilities and waiting for our wood floor to be installed, some minimal landscaping and the car port installation.  Even though the house isn't ready to move into yet, I couldn't wait to share these pictures with you.

Win this Simplicity Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder!

Just received this in my inbox:

Enter for your chance to win a Simplicity Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder.

Become a pro and wind your own balls of yarn. This fully automatic ball winder is convenient and quick. You can rule out hand winding from now on to give you less strain on your wrists and hands!

Enter for your chance to win. Good Luck!

Crocheted Cables Bracelet/Cuff

Another bracelet/cuff - this one features a little simpler cable.  Again, crocheted using off-white #3 crochet thread and a 2.5 mm hook.

 The clasp is a heart/bar toggle I found at Joann's.

Crocheted Cables Bracelet/Cuff for my wife

I'm on a bracelet/cuff kick, I guess, so I crocheted this bracelet/cuff for my wife using lavender-colored #3 crochet thread and a 2.5 mm hook.  The decoration is a fancy button - the clasp is ½ of a heart/bar toggle clasp.  I omitted the bar and used a crocheted loop to reduce the bulk.  She loves it!

Bracelet Take 2

I didn't plan my original bracelet very well, I just started crocheting to see what would come to my head.

This time, with a little forethought, I decided to crochet the bracelet in the round for a more finished look.

Here's the result, in Navy, Pale Blue, Off-white #3 crochet thread using a 2.0 mm hook.