Sunday, November 1, 2015

YOP Week #16

Well, the big day is over (Halloween) and since the grand boys and their parents got their Halloween care packages in the mail yesterday I can post about what I made them and gave them.  Thank goodness as otherwise there would be little to post about fiber-wise.
This is what the trick or treaters got last night and I had more trick or treaters than usual which was so fun and didn't leave me with lots of leftover candy that I would be forced to eat! LOL!
These are the 2015 Halloween collectible ornaments they received this year.  I'm just finishing up one for myself too as my little black tree is empty.   This was a free pattern from Lionbrand.  Lionbrand and Redheart have some great free patterns.  Check them out!
I made homemade pumpkin butter in the crock pot....so easy and your house smells great as it cooks for a long time.  Each family got a jar of it and me too!  I still like apple butter better though.
Sorry for the terrible picture....why does it look great through the "viewer" and then when you download you get this?
This is a set of "Candy Corn" dishcloths.

 More Halloweeny stuff........little notebooks
 magnetic grocery list...........
 window clings............
magazine for the adults...........
some pumpkin spiced tea.......hearty pumpkin spiced tea....is there any other kind?  Very good by the way!
Halloween books.............
I told them this was a book about their Grandmother...Ha! Ha!
 a book for Sam who had the surgery....this was for his hospital stay..........he loves his Lego's
And some Halloween rice krispie pumpkins.  Since we discovered that Grayson is not allergic to gluten or soy just nuts, it freed Grandma up to bake some goodies for the boys and their folks.  These were fun and easy.  You just have to work fast to the get the shapes and stick in the Tootsie Roll stem before they get to hardening. I got 19 of them whereas the recipe maker only got 12 before hardening.  I did good!  I used my iron Dutch oven which I think retains the heat longer and that helped.  A little gel frosting in the tube, Tootsie roll stems and voila!

There's not much I can post or show you as now I am working on Christmas presents and they are 'hush hush" but I did work a teeny bit on my scrapghan...still on the red diamond stitch square though......
I'm also working on some extra large washcloths to sell as I think the patterns make them a bit small for my liking.  I'm hoping to find some diverse methods of producing some income.  We'll see how it goes but it has to be enjoyable! LOL!
I'm also working on a new to me pattern...corner-to-corner crochet?  How fun and I memorized the pattern in about 5 minutes so now I have a t.v. project that is mindless and fun but it's a gift so I can't show it.  But if you are looking for a great looking, easy, enjoyable project to work on and you love to crochet.....this is wonderful and I highly recommend this one.  I watched a You Tube video with Mikey from Crochet Corner....he is such an excellent instructor.  I'm sure you crocheters already have done this but it was new to me and I love it!  No big, long starting chain that you have to count over and over to get it exact.
Well, I hope all of you had a safe and Happy Halloween and you are enjoying that "extra" hour on your day off!  Have a great week!
Happy Trails!   



20 comments:

  1. Oh my, can I be one of your grandkids next Halloween? How much fun they must have had will all the goodies you sent the. I have not tried the Corner to Corner blanket yet either but am interested in trying it once Christmas projects are completed.

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    1. I know what you mean. This is one of my Christmas projects so I don't feel bad. I have it pinned on my crochet board on Pinterest. Mine is solid but the Red Heart pattern is free and shows a striped pattern. The videos really helped on You Tube too.
      Yes, the kids look forward to Grandma's "care packages" and so do the adults!

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  2. Oh my, can I be one of your grandkids next Halloween? How much fun they must have had will all the goodies you sent the. I have not tried the Corner to Corner blanket yet either but am interested in trying it once Christmas projects are completed.

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  3. Oh I bet they sure loved their packages and what fun they must have add opening them up to discover all those wonderful little treats inside. How cute are those hats! and those notebooks are such fun! I love the red your using in your diamond square and best of luck with the cloths. Corner to corner is such a great way it doesn't feel like a chore as it gets bigger and then suddenly your decreasing and it's done!

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    1. Thank you, Ruth! I know...I am really loving the c to c. Mikey from Crochet Corner on You Tube has a way to make it a rectangle if you want also which I might look into. I remember liking yours when you did it but boy is it fun.

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  4. Your hats are just so cute! You have been busy...I bet your grands loved your package especially those pumpkins!! Looks like you are still stitching along! :)

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    1. Yes, they love getting the packages...well, who doesn't love getting things in the mail? I just get junk mail most of the time. I do much of my "stitching" when I take a break when my legs get tired so it's a slow boat to China with me. The only time I really make any progress is at night when I'm finished for the day and have something mindless I can work on while watching t.v and that's usually crochet.

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  5. Wow, as always you have been so busy. Hope the packing is going well :-)

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  6. Look at all that stuff in those Halloween packages - WOW! Lucky kids and grandkids!

    We had a bunch of kids this year too, so not much leftover. Of course I do packs of Trident gum, so leftovers are fine with us. Gavin chews gum at work.

    To answer your question, the baby sweaters are for preemies in a neonatal unit in the UK. My cousin's husband is heading there at the end of November and asked if I could knit some for him to bring along and donate. I haven't managed to turn a profit on my knitting yet :)

    I think I'm going to skip Christmas crafting altogether! We're planning to just abandon ship and spend the Christmas week in Vegas!

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    1. I think you;re smart! I've already warned everyone as I am packing and there's not going to be time for dedicated "crafting" but they feel if I make it up North by winter that will be gift enough.
      I just sent last years preemie hats with my daughter when she was down here. I haven't done it this year yet. Sweaters...that's really nice!
      My daughter mentioned the non-candy trick or treat items they now have in snack bags which I may do next year. Like fishy crackers and gum and other non-sugary treats. Good idea!
      I bet you'll have a blast in Vegas at Christmas and I bet it will be extra beautiful too. I've never been but I hear tell it's pretty fabulous.

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  7. How sweet you are! I love the crochet project...I'll have to see if I can figure it out too. And the tea sounds yummy. I think getting a package from you is the best! Sweet hugs, Diane

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    1. Thanks Diane! When you live as far away as I do you have to make an extra effort sometimes. I don't want them to forget me! LOL!

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  8. You are one of the best grandmas out there! What wonderful goodies you sent your boys. The rice krispies pumpkins are too cute and those are my kind of candies!

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    1. Thanks Stefanie.....I try to be a good Grandma but I never had any grandparents so I'm winging it! Ha! Ha!

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  9. Wow! What an amazing Halloween care package. Your pictures of gifts just kept going and going. I am amazed. My favorite items were the candy corn wash cloths and the rice crispie pumpkins - so cute!

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    1. So nice to hear as I have no idea what other grandmas do but I live so far away that I feel it's something I can do from a distance. Plus, not a lot of funds to buy them things so I make things instead. Thank you for your kind words....I truly appreciate it!

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  10. You are so talented, and kind hearted! I am sure that your care packages were well received, with delight, and gratitude!!

    I'm sure that you can sell your dishcloths.. they are so pretty!

    Hope you have a great new week!

    ~K.

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    1. Thanks dear friend! I think they do enjoy them and I have fun making for them. I hope someday I'll be able to live closer and actually see their expressions when they open the packages. You have a great week too!

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  11. I think I love your Rice Krispy pumpkins most of all. I love Rice Krispy treats! I hope you're taking pictures of all those gifts you're making. We'll want to see them when you're able to show them off. :^)

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