Knitting Dragonflies

To celebrate Veterans day this year I am going to donate and match any sales I have on Nov 11 from my Etsy store Dizzydragonflies to DAV. Please take time out and support the Veterans of this country in whatever way you can. Statistics on our Veterans http://www1.va.gov/vetdata/docs/4X6_fall08_sharepoint.pdf 23% of our homeless people are veterans: http://www.nchv.org/background.cfm Donate to help this Thanks for giving, Celebrate the day!!   Technorati Tags: Veterans day sale donation and match to DAV

I guess if I had to say one thing about knitting in my life it would be something like, "when things get tough, the tough get knitting". Knitting has been present in my life starting about age 7 or so. My grandmother taught me to knit. She has patient and let me make my mistakes without flinching. Although she seemed to be able to perform magic with yarn and needles when she was showing me something. I never saw her knit for herself. Born in 1900, she was a hardworking woman, had 11 children and a husband that I never knew. He died very early. They had a grocery store together, and although I never saw it, there was much evidence of it in her rambling home. Old crocks, pitchers and glass candy jars. After she lost her husband and the grocery. She became a nurses aid, which she worked at until the late 70's. I remember the hospital finally forced her to quit. So I would see her knit here and there, pieces with shapes that I couldn't imagine what they were. I woul

I have been crocheting a snake for a Christmas present. Last year I was crocheting toys Christmas Eve, so I'm trying to finish a little earlier this year. The snake pattern is from Yarncat.com , I altered it slightly by using child safe eyes, (with washers on the backs, I picked out cat eyes and because the puplis were more snake-like), I also made a red felt forked tongue instead of a crocheted black one. I think he turned out very cute. OOOO I'm scary and ready to strike, I'm long enough to put around your neck at 46 inches. You can see my tongue here. Go visit Yarncat.com ! There are lots of free patterns. I like the baby snake pattern (even if you don't like snakes you will like these), Chenille bear pattern and fun things like this bug scrubber , road tested by truckers (and good for the environment) I think this would be a cute stocking stuffer. Right now I am in a sheep ornament obsession! I have plans to make, all colors of sheep and turn them into ornament

Two of wands The card of the week is the Two of Wands. As knitters we can be daring this week, we have power and the vision to create something that has been only an idea. Have no fear, mistakes or dropped stitches will be few. Be adventurous and enjoy yourself. Most often, the Two of Wands card means courage and daring. It has the message of striking out on a journey or new path. The image on the Rider-Waite deck shows us a wealthy merchant or nobleman, looking west over his territory,  gazing into the west symbolizes learning from our past. He holds the world in his hands, symbolizing power. His wooden rod is firmly planted on top of a brick wall, ensuring victory over obstacles. The time is right to be bold and creative. If you are in a moment of doubt, this card tells you to make your move. You have the power in your hands; now is the time to find courage to use it The Tarot is a deck of cards that originated over 500 years ago in northern Italy. Although the Tarot w

I started making these and had so much fun I decided I would turn them into something useful. Ta da..Keychain. Supplies: Small amount of yarn , I like to use a multicolor , only about 1 oz, any type is ok from embroidery floss to chunky yarn. Yes Red heart is good for this project. Hook: use the hook recommended for the yarn you choose, see label of yarn . Stitches to know : sc, sl st, chain, how to increase, how to decrease.If you need help learning to crochet or a refresher check this site out . Eyes: I used glue on google eyes (i actually found mine at the dollar store), there are also child safe eyes , and of course you can just make a french knot and some dark yarn and embroidery some on. There are also Chenille balls you can use for eyes. Batting or yarn : to stuff head, small amount. Key chain if desired: I bought a pack of 80 for under 2 dollars at walmart. Beginning; chain 3 Rnd 1: In first chain space, sc 7 times, this is crocheted in a continuou

My girlfriend and I did a craft show this past weekend. I had no idea how political this would become. It was the primary line of conversation among the vendors. What a bad year they had,  who had lost their jobs, and what they were eating, Raman noodles tops the list  Mac and cheese and close 2nd, it was eye opening. And Yes these people are all voting. You hear all about the economy, but when I was faced with numerous people, who try to make their living from self employment, with a lower paying wage job thrown in, it was over whelming. I felt lucky to have a job to return to that Monday. I did lower my prices, and gave generous vendor discounts. With that being said, I did as well as I have done in the past with shows. I went away with a new respect for the self employed, and met many great people. I was next to a women (we were in a barn outside, and it was very chilly with a stiff breeze) who didn't have gloves and wouldn't buy any. I found some

I have started a Yoga class! I have taken yoga off and on for years. And tried a few kinds. Mostly whatever class I could find. Yoga is a binding together of the body, mind and spirit. The ultimate goal is the union of the individual's consciousness with the infinite consciousness. Al though it can be practiced religiously each day, yoga is not a religion. This one is Kundalini yoga. Kundalini, which incorporates mantras (chanting), meditations, visualizations, and guided relaxation. It focuses on healing and "purifying" the mind, body, and emotions. Kundalini yoga is designed to activate the kundalini energy in the spine. This is achieved with poses, breath control, chanting, and meditation. Kundalini yoga is beneficial in dealing with addictions, and many people find it a natural way of releasing endorphins just by breathing and doing the poses. Kundalini yoga consists of poses combined with breath control, hand and finger gestures, body locks, chanting