Sisters Weekend

Hey.  Long Time; No Post!  Sorry, like everyone else, I have been so busy; with what I don't really know.  I don't know where the time goes.

Back story:  Last year at the beginning of October, my entire family, 18 people (ages 2 - 77) went to Disney World.  We had a great time but my sisters and I felt that we missed out on some things.  You know what I mean. For example, older kids who don't want to meet the characters, little kids who need constant monitoring, etc.   So when we came back home, Jennifer, Bridget, and I decided that we were going to Disney World.  Just the three of us.

Art of Animation

So, Columbus Day Weekend we went to Disney World.  Bridget & I drove through the night on Thursday.  We got to out lodging (Art of Animation) around 6am.  Our rooms were ready, so we went to our rooms, bathe, and changed.  We drove over to Animal Kingdom.  We had a great time seeing the shows like "Finding Nemo - the Musical" and riding rides like "Expedition Everest" (yes Bridget and Jennifer rode it once, I on the other hand rode it twice).  It did rain on us but only for a little while.

Here we are in the rain at Animal Kingdom

On Saturday, which was Jennifer's day, we went to Epcot.  The food and wine festival was happening while we were there.  Last year, Jennifer wanted to go but didn't get to enjoy it.  So this year we were determined to go to every booth.  There were 31 booths and we ate at over 20 of them.  Some of the food that we ate was escargot from France, mussels from Belgium, Moosehead beer from Canada (very good).  Our favorites were:  Barcardi Frozen Dragon Berry Colada from the Carribean,  Crispy Shrimp Taco with Lime Strawberry Margarita on the Rocks from Mexico, Kona Brewing Company Big Wave Golden Ale from Hawai'i, and the most liked meal the lobster and seafood fisherman's pie and cheese platter with Bunratty Meade Honey Wine from Ireland .

Bridget & I in Germany

While we were eating our way around the world, I did the passport for all of the countries.  We also rode rides and met with characters.  I did  "Soaring" for the first time.  Loved it!!

On Sunday, we went to Magic Kingdom.  We rode so many rides.  When we left at 2am I only had 3 rides left to ride: Dumbo, Space Mountain, and .  We met a lot of characters as well.  Jennifer got to meet Marie from the Aristocats.  I got to meet Aurora and Snow White.  While in line for Snow White, we met a guy who has been to Disney World 22 times and had every character's signature but one - Snow White's.  He was so excited; he was as giddy as the little kids in line.

On Monday, we went to Hollywood Studios.  I rode the "Rock n Roll Roller coaster" without Jennifer and Bridget.  I loved it. It is fast, has a loop and a spiral loop in it.  We rode the "Star Tours" and I was the rebel spy on our ship.  We also went to "The Magic of Animation" show then had our own animation lesson where we drew Minnie Mouse.

Goofy wrecked his plan (The BarnStormer)

Jennifer in the knife throwing target

We left a little early to go change into our costumes for "Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween" at Magic Kingdom.  We dressed up as the boys who went to Pleasure Island in Pinocchio.  We had a good time, got a lot of candy, stood in line to meet characters, and rode a few rides.  We didn't get to do as much as we wanted to do but it was fun.

Tuesday we were going to go to Universal Studios to do the Harry Potter rides but we stood in pay to enter the park line for 30 minutes and was only half way to the ticket booth.  So we decided to go to Downtown Disney and shop instead.  We left for home about 4pm  and got home around Midnight.

I had so much fun.  I want to go again.  Maybe next year.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sharon

Art Journals

 Here are my Art Journals thus far.  I got the questions from E

January Tag Journals

 Week 1: What do I wish for this year?
 Week 2: "I am ..."
 Week 3: "Do you believe in fairies?"
 Week 4: "What you are proud of?"

February Tag Journals

 Week 5: "What is powerful to you?"
 Week 6: Your initial."
 Week 7: "Love, Love, Love"
 Week 8: "What is your current obsession?"
 Week 9: "If I could do it again, would I?"

March Tag Journals

 Week 10: "Count your blessings"
 Week 11: "What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud?"
 Week 12: "Draw something."
 Week 13: "What is your favorite holiday?"

April Tag Journals

 Week 14: "What would you like to learn more about?"
 Week 15: "Create in 10 minutes."
 Week 16: "Magic Carpet - where would you go?"
 Week 17: "Who am I taking for granted?"

May Tag Journals

 Week 18: "What have you done over and over this week?"
 Week 19: "nature"
 Week 20: "What are you crossing your fingers for?"
 Week 21: "What is my super power?"
 Week 22: "How do you feel TODAY?"

June Tag Journals

 Week 23: "What is on your to do list?"
 Week 24: "What have you found lately?"
 Week 25: "What do you love most about where you live?"
 Week 26: "What were you doing this time last year?"

July Tag Journals

 Week: 27: "Your parents"
 Week 28:  "What are your favorite days filled with?"
 Week 29: "Goal of the week"
 Week 30: "Have you had a hug today?"
 Week 31: "Which song do you have on repeat right now?"

I will post my August Journals next week.

Thanks for stopping by,
Sharon

Summer of Amigurumi

I crocheted alot this summer.  Nothing that I had planned to crochet.  I crocheted 3 elephants.  The first was for a co-worker, Aaryn, I liked the tail but I didn't like the trunk.  It was too big.

Elephant for Aaryn

What a cute tail.

 I was going to crochet this bunny for Liz but she wanted it for her nephews baby.  I crocheted it in yellow and crochet the eyes.  As I look at it, the eyes seem mis-placed.

A bunny for Liz's nephew's baby

 Aaryn asked me to crochet an elephant for her friend.  I made the trunk smaller using a hook one size smaller.

Elephant for Aaryn's friend

 I crocheted the lovebirds for me.  Then my cousin Kevin told me a story about a parrot and love birds.  It was horrible; so now I need to put legs on them.

Lovebirds for me

 This hippo was for me (since I crocheted one for everybody else).  But Leif says it is his.  He has a purple one and a reggae one.  Now he wants my green one.

Hippo for me?!? (Leif took it)

 I crocheted a bee for Bridget.  She wanted two more (one for Tucker and one for Tyler).  These are the "Lazy Bees"

Momma Bee with her babies (for Bridget)

 Well, I didn't like the elephant that I made for Aaryn.  So I crocheted her another one.  She asked if she could give the first one (see the blue one above) to a friend.  I said okay.  She gave it to one of my former students.  He came by Thursday and thanked me for it.  His wife had their son recently.  He said that he took it home and put it in the crib with his son.

Another cute tail (another elephant for Aaryn)

Another elephant for Aaryn

The last thing I crocheted this summer was an alligator for Aaryn.  This was the second alligator that I have crocheted.  It is really cute.

An alligator for Aaryn

I still have a Mario, Zelda, and Yoshi to crochet.  I have several others that I want to do.  

Thanks for looking at my Amigurumi.  I hope to post on a more regular basis.

Sharon

What Have I Been Doing?

Hey all,

My stitching group (family & friends) get together once a month and do a project.  In April, Bridget hosted the event.  We made these potholders that when put together make a hamburger.  It took us two days working in rotation on the sewing machines to finish it.  The lettuce took the longest for me. 

lettuce, onion, pickles, hamburger, onion (Jennifer's),
tomato, and cheese between two sesame seed buns

Man! What a huge hamburger!

Earlier this year I changed my bedspread on my bed.  I choose a happy, Hawaiian style colors.  My sister Jennifer crocheted a sunburst pillow for my birthday.  So I decided to make a couple of throw pillows.  I bought the fabric at Hobby Lobby back in April or May but only got to put them together in June.

Throw pillows on my bed.

Pink pillow - Bridget put together

Orange pillow - I sewed together

My sister Bridget went out of town for family vacation in June.  I feed her cat while they were gone.  As a thank you, Bridget gave me a jewelry kit which I finished.   She got because I love owls.

At the end of the school year, my department at work had a "Baby Shower" for Aaryn and Beth.  I crocheted this elephant for Aaryn.  She loved it.  I think it is very cute.  I have had a couple of orders for the elephant since I gave this to her.

Here is another ordered bunny.  At first it was ordered by a friend for her, but her nephew and his wife are having a baby.  So, my friend ordered this one for them and requested one for her.  But she thinks she might want the elephant instead.

Spring Bunny with crocheted eyes

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope to post again soon.  I have several cross stitch projects and my art journals to post.

Thanks again

Sharon

Recent Amigurumi finishes

Well, like I said in my art journal,  my recent obsession is Amigurumi.  I have completed several projects and have orders for more.

The first up is a cat I crocheted for my friend Teresa's birthday present..  I used her favorite color - red.  It turned out cute.  I was going to make a flower for her "hair" but it was too big for her head.  Teresa called it the cat's cabbage instead.  Teresa was very happy.

Second is another hippo (Easy Crochet Critters from Lions Brand).  I know, I am getting tired of them also but it turned out really cute.  The colors are neon.  I crocheted this for a lady who works with my cousin Liz.  Liz said that the lady got it for her granddaughters birthday but decided to keep it for herself.  Cute!

Third, are two of the bunnies - one blue, one pink (the pattern is a freebie from Stephanie Jessica Lau).  I crocheted these for our church's plant, bake, and craft sale on Easter Saturday.  It took me a week to finish the pink one (I was easily distracted) and 1 full day to finish the blue one.  The pink bunny sold almost immediately at the back sale but the blue one didn't sale until the end.  But,  I have two orders for yellow bunnies from the sale.  I am presently working on them.

Fourth, are the lovebirds from Lions Brand yarn (freebie pattern).  They are so cute but I think they need feet or I need to make a nest for them.  These are for me.

The last one is a lime green hippo just for me.  Well, I had to make one for myself since everyone else has one.

Thank you for stopping by.

Sharon

Art Journal 12 & 13

Week 12's question, "What would you like to learn more about?"  My answer: the sun, the moons, the stars, the planets.  I would like to learn more about astronomy.  I am fascinated with outer space.

Week 13's question, "Create in 10 minutes".  I am very proud of this one.  Yes I know that most of my are scrapbook type ones but I think I did a good job in 10 minutes.  And I got to use up some of my supplies.  Yippee!!

Thanks for stopping by

Sharon

Art Journal 10 & 11

Week 10's question, "What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud?"  The last one was when my 3-year-old nephew spent the night.  He was up until past midnight watching cartoons.  So I turned off the tv and told him to go to sleep.  But he wanted to watch "mouse, mouse".  So instead I turned on the music channels to instrumental.  He started crying and said 'That's not good.  Not good at all."  Over and over again.  I finally got him to go to sleep when I put on the cooking channel.  Well I also put on the card some of the comments that my nephews said that still make me laugh out loud.  It is still a work in progress.

Week 11's question, "Draw something".  As you can see I am not a great artist but I did draw (with my crayons).

Thanks for stopping by,

Sharon

Art Journal Week 8 & 9

Week 8's question, "If I could do it again, would I change anything?"  My answer was YES.  I would rethink getting my Ph.D.  I want to finish it but it has been a long haul and a lot of marching in place.  I love to learn but I haven't enjoyed this trip.

Week 9's question, "Count them (Your blessings).  So I did.  Here they are for all to see.


Thanks for stopping by,

Sharon

Finishes this month

 Here is the ninja that I crocheted for Michelle out of the Creepy Cute Crochet book I got for Christmas.  He was very easy to complete.  All one color.  I crocheted the face rather than use felt.  I also used buttons for the eyes.  Michelle loved it.  She put the ninja and the vampire queen on top of the TV.








Here are two of the twelve pieces for the Lizzie Kate Christmas Spirit Double Flip.  I finished one each month.  I have almost completed Cookies for March.  I am using DMC floss on specialty fabric.

Lizzie Kate's Flora McSample Farm Sampler Snippet.  I stitched this on regular linen with DMC flosses.  I loved this pattern.  The sheep and pig are really cute.  Besides it has a sunflower (my favorite). 








This is the afghan I crocheted for Hobbie.  I used zebra print yarn.  The pattern was a single cluster pattern that repeated.  The original pattern had fringe.  But, since I made it for a guy, I didn't think he would like it.  So I made up the border.  I did an single crochet for the first round.  Round two was a double crochet in the first single crochet, single crochet, skip stitch, then double crochet around.  The third round I did a front post double crochet, chain 1 for the next row.  Then the last row was a single crochet in every double crochet and chain 1 spot.  I finished it today at 5 pm.  I sent it home with Jennifer.  I hope Hobbie likes it.








Finally, my art project # 8.  The question is what is your current obsession.  Mine at the moment is Amigurumi.  I love crocheting animals for my friends and family.   I have actually sold a few of them.  I am making myself a lime green hippo  right now.  I still have to crochet for Tucker and Patrick.






My main focus at the moment is trying to finish my dissertation.  I have to finish this year.  I spent all spring break working on it .  I went to the coast and stayed at the condo by myself.  I did this so I wouldn't be disturbed or I wouldn't find a distraction.

I hope to post soon.  Thanks for stopping by,

Sharon

Projects since last post

I crocheted this "Vampire Queen" for Liz's daughter Michelle out of the Creepy Cute Crochet book I got for Christmas.  I think she turned out great.  I had to make two sets of hair (the first hadn't been enough).





This is another hippo from Easy Crochet Critters book.  A Mississippi State hippo.  I crocheted it with white and maroon yarn.  It turned out thicker and bigger than the previous hippos.  I think I've become a hippo maker.  I have made an entire herd of hippos: purple, pink, red, varigated: Blue-yellow-green, blue-pink-green, & yellow-green-red.

I have more but the pictures didn't turn out.  I will post them later today.

Thank you for stopping by.

Sharon

Another Hippo & other amigurumi

Here is a hippo, from the Easy Crochet Critters book, that my cousin Liz wanted.  I almost finished him in one evening.  I ran out of stuffing, so I had to finish him the next day on February 4th.  I think he is cute.  Now she has me doing 2 more for her coworkers.  I will post pictures when I finish them.

Also, I had finished these on Finished August 5, 2011 but didn't post them. 

 This puppy was for my nephew Nicholas.  He like it but he was too cool to acknowledge that he liked it.

This penguin (free pattern from Lions Brand) was for my nephew Theron.  He was so excited about this one.  He carried it around all day.


Thanks for stopping by

Sharon