Tag: Travel

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London Trip Part II – Toy Soldier Cuddler – Pumpkin Pie Earrings

Day 2 of our London adventure included a tour of Westminster Abbey, The Royal Mews (stables), and the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. I have always loved poetry, so visiting Westminster Abbey has been a dream of mine since I was a teenager. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is the first thing you see when stepping inside, and it is truly a magnificent site. (Unfortunately, no photos are allowed inside.) During World War I, an army chaplain saw a grave marked by a wooden cross, and he wanted to do something to honor this soldier and the many others who were not identified. He contacted the Dean of Westminster in 1920 about honoring these soldiers “amongst the kings.” Four unnamed soldiers were exhumed, placed in coffins draped in Union flags, and taken to a church in France. Brigadier L.J. Wyatt entered the chapel and placed his hand on one of the coffins. A tomb was built just inside the entrance of Westminster Abbey, and King George V personally chose one of his swords to cover the casket with the inscription “A British Warrior who fell in the Great War 1914–1918 for King and Country.” The soldier was interred on November 11, 1920 – now known as Remembrance Day. It is surrounded by red paper poppies and is truly a stirring site. It is the only tomb in the Abbey on which it is forbidden to walk. For State ceremonies, the red carpet is laid around the tomb so as not to disturb it. Royal brides lay their bouquets on the tomb at the end of their wedding ceremonies.

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Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Walk

We then walked through the Green Park along the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Walk on the way to Buckingham Palace. This marker brought me to tears again – such a beautiful person, gone much too soon.

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I grew up in Galveston County and have seen my share of pelicans, but the size of these guys amazed me!

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Buckingham Palace

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You really have to see Buckingham Palace in person to comprehend its size – 775 rooms including 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. This is the Queen’s primary residence and place of business. It is considered “The Office” by the Royal Family. Next week I’ll post about our tour of Windsor Castle, the Queen’s weekend residence and childhood home.

Changing of the Guard

Stunning! Spectacular!

Changing of the Guard (YouTube)

I was so looking forward to this tour, I had to make a little Royal Guard crochet pattern.

Toy Soldier Cuddler Pattern

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Day 1 in London

Pumpkin Pie Earrings

pumpkin pie earrings

Here’s a fun pattern to start off your holidays. Earrings measure approximately 1.5″ each, but you can use this pattern with #10 thread to make them larger, cotton worsted to make coasters, or double cotton worsted for potholders.

Materials:

DMC Cotton Perle #5 thread:

Color 351

Color 738

Blanc

Steel hook size 3

Crewel needle

2 Earring hooks

Directions:

Rnd 1: With color 351, 2 sc (or magic circle), 7 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Do not join.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st (14 sc). Do not join.

Rnd 3: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (21 sc). Join with sl st. Fasten off color 351.

Rnd 4: Using color Blanc, *sc in next st, popcorn in next st,* repeat around. In last sc, work sc, popcorn (11 sc and 11 popcorns). Join with sl st. Fasten off Blanc.

Rnd 5: With color 738, *2 sc in sc, 2 sc in ch-1 behind popcorn,* repeat around (44 sc). Join with sl st.

Rnd 6: Reverse sc around. Join with sl st. Fasten off leaving 4” length. Use length to attach earring hooks. Weave in all ends.

Texas Horned Lizards

I want to thank SA Monthly Magazine and Texas Hill Country for their article on my Horny Toad crochet patterns.

Horny Toads

National Days

November 16 Button Day Snowman with Button Nose

November 18 Princess Day Royal Baby Sweater Crochet Pattern

November 20 Absurdity Day Boob Bowling Ball Bag Crochet Pattern

Next Week:

Until then, happy crocheting!

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London – Phone Booth Scarf Pattern

London the second time around was so much better. Last August, we winged it. This year we went on as a group for the Houston Texans game and signed up for all the tours available. NFL On Location handled everything, and we got to see so much more of the city than we did last year. After arriving in London and checking in at the Hilton Park Lane hotel, we were treated to brunch by the Hard Rock Café just around the corner.

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That afternoon was a tour of the city on a double-decker bus, culminating in a ride on the London Eye. It’s a 30-minute ride during which you can see all of London. Our tour included a champagne toast with our group.

https://youtu.be/dLNv1f3Kd4U

Since my first visit to London last year, I have been toying with the idea of a scarf made to look like the phone bbooths scattered around London. For this trip, I just had to make one and get a photo.

London Phone Booth Scarf

Materials:

Worsted weight yarn –

4 oz. red

2.5 oz. white

Few yards yellow

Crochet hook size H (5.00 mm)

Yarn needle

Gauge:

7 dc + 2”; 4 rows = 2”

Women’s scarf measures approximately 7.5” wide by 52” long (instructions are given to lengthen scarf if desired).

Directions:

Row 1: With red yarn, ch 25, sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch 2 (sc, ch-2 counts as first dc), dc in each ch across (24 dc).

Row 2: Turn, sc in first st, ch 2, dc in st across.

Rows 3-94: Repeat sts of Row 2, alternating colors as per chart.

Rows 95-97: Turn, sc in 1st st, ch 2, dc next 2 sts tog, sc across to last 2 sts, dc next 2 sts tog. (18 dc at end of Row 97). Do not fasten off. If a longer scarf is desired, repeat Rows 7-14 until desired length.

Edging:

At end of Row 97, ch 1, turn, sc in each st across top, sc down the side with 2 sc in the side of each dc. Work 3 sc in each corner, sc across bottom, 3 sc in corner, sc up other side with 2 sc in the side of each dc. Join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off. Weave in all ends.

Crown:

Rnd 1: With yellow (or gold) yarn, ch 10, sc in 2nd ch and next 7 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working on opposite side of starting ch, sc in next 7 ch, 2 sc in last ch (20 sc). Join with sl st.

Rnd 2: Ch 10, sk 3 sts, sc in 4th st, ch 10, sk 3 sts, sl st in next st.

Rnd 3: Ch 1, turn, 12 sc around 1st ch-10. Sl st in sc, ch 7, sl st in 3rd ch from hook (picot), *ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch,* repeat once, sl st in remaining 3 ch, sl st in sc between 2 ch-10s, ch 1, work 12 sc around ch-10 loop, sl st in Rnd 1. Fasten off leaving length for sewing. Center crown at top of scarf and sew in place. Weave in ends.

crown applique

YouTube video for crown

Pattern Testers Wanted

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Looking for unique patterns for Christmas gift this year? Join my Facebook testers group and check out the patterns available for testing. All you need is a basic knowledge of crochet and the desire to give feedback on the patterns. Most of my designs are easy to Intermediate.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/875538646117910/

United States Marine Corps Birthday

Marine Baby Sweater

Veterans Day, November 11

eagle-potholder

Bald Eagle Potholder

https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/bald-eagle-crochet-pattern

2020 Crochet Calendar

Update your kitchen with a new crochet pattern each month. Twelve patterns on a hanging wall calendar – a great value at only $14.99 each. Makes a great Christmas gift for the crafters on your list.

https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/2020-crochet-calendar-12-kitchen-crochet-patterns

Calendars printed by Printing Center USA.

Next Week:

Etsy Sale

Help me get to 1400 sales in my Etsy shop this week. Use code 1400SALES to get 14% off any item through 11/10/19. Also, the person who purchases the 1400th item gets a free gift with their order.

My Fingers Fly on Etsy

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Mission Inn, Riverside – Bald Eagle Crochet Potholder – Labor Day Sale

Here I am, sitting at the airport waiting to start another California adventure. This time I will be going to Riverside and staying at the historic Mission Inn. It was built as a boarding house in 1876 and was designated as a historic landmark in 1977. Several wings have been added over the years, including the Cloister, the Spanish Wing, and the Rotunda Wing. The oldest bell in Christendom (dated 1247) is currently housed at the Mission Inn.

Mission Inn Courtyard
https://www.missioninn.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw2K3rBRDiARIsAOFSW_4C161I284X84mXQgBoXYuGJG8vroDwt4zWgovjJz1ulM0iVeL_hQwaAg71EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I am so looking forward to exploring this beautiful inn and the surrounding Riverside community. What new designs will this trip inspire? I promise to take lots of photos and post them next week.

This week includes both Labor Day and V-J Day on September 2. V-J Day celebrates the day that Japan surrendered to the U.S. to end World War II on September 2, 1945. To honor the veterans of that war and all U.S. veterans, this week’s free pattern is a Bald Eagle Potholder.  Eagle Plushie Crochet Pattern is also available. 

For PDF download, click here
https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/bald-eagle-crochet-pattern

Materials:

Peaches & Crème cotton worsted yarn

     ½ oz. brown

     ½ oz. white

     Few yards gold

     1 yd black

Crochet hook size J

Yarn needle

Directions:

Row 1: With double strand of brown yarn, ch 16. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each of th enext 14 chs (15 sc).

Rows 2-5: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st.

Rows 6-7: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc across (13 sc). Fasten off brown.

Row 8: Switch to white yarn. Ch 1, turn, sc in 1st st, *sk next st, 3 dc in corresponding st of Row 6, sk next st, sc in next st,* repeat twice.

Rows 9-10: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc across, dec (9 sc).

Rows 11-13: Repeat Row 6 (6 sc).

Rows 14-17: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st.

Row 18: Repeat Row 9. Fasten off white.

EDGING:

With right side facing, attach brown yarn at side of Row 7. Ch 1, sc in same st. Sc in each row end with 2 sc in last row end. Sc in each unused loop of beg ch with 2 sc in last ch. Continue up side with sc, changing to white at Row 8. Sc around head in same manner with 3 sc in corners. At center top of head, ch 6, sl st in same st for hanging loop.

BEAK:

With double strand of gold yarn, ch 4. Counting backwards on white sts, in 7th st from brown section, sl st in 7th st. Sc in 1st ch, 2 sc in next ch, sc in next ch, 3 sc in next ch. Working on opposite side of ch, dec, sc in last ch. Sl st in next white st on head. Fasten off with 12” length. Use this length for straight sts to better define the beak.

Use double strand of black to make French knot for the eye. Weave in all ends.

Stay tuned for October’s release – Kitchen Crochet Pattern 2020 Calendar – which will include the bald eagle along with 11 other patterns to make for your kitchen.

More Potholder Designs

Zoo Blog Hop Day 21 – Giraffes

Beaver

Smiling Duck

Kitchen Crochet Pattern Ebook – 17 Patterns in PDF format

LABOR DAY SALE

There’s still time to get 15% off all crochet-themed gifts – t-shirts, leggings, tote bags, and coffee mugs. Use coupon code LABORDAY through 9/2/2019.

https://www.myfingersfly.com/discount/LABORDAY

With the holidays coming up, I will have several new patterns. As always, pattern testers are needed. See my Facebook group for more information. https://www.facebook.com/groups/875538646117910/?source_id=106106443174

Happy travels and happy crocheting!

 

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California vacation – Poppy Mini Bag Crochet Pattern

When the children were young, we took them to Los Angeles (14 years ago) and spent a week visiting theme parks. Last weekend’s trip was just for a weekend, but we had just as much fun. Universal Studios has grown significantly in the past 14 years, and the studio tour is longer and better than the last time we took it.

In comparison, we went to Universal Studios Orlando last Thanksgiving. There are three theme parks there; one of them is a water park which we did not visit, but we had fun at both the other parks. There are more rides and attractions at the Florida parks, but visitors pay a separate admission fee for each park. The Hollywood park is not as big as the combined Florida parks, but only one ticket is required. Even though I enjoyed both, I believe the Hollywood park was a better experience. I must admit, though, The Hulk rollercoaster in Orlando is one of the best rollercoasters I have ever ridden, and that ride is exclusive to Universal Studios Orlando.

If you have a fear of rollercoasters, you really can’t go wrong with either of these parks. Most of the rides are virtual reality, so you experience the excitement of a rollercoaster without the fear. On Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, visitors are strapped into their seats to follow Harry on a broomstick ride around the castle, being chased by ghosts and giant spiders throughout the ride. On Minion Mayhem, riders become Minion recruits and are zapped by Gru’s magic ray gun, then taken on a tour of the villain laboratory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJeD5YrSY-I

After a long day of thrilling rides and crowds of visitors (remind me not to visit in August again), we happily crashed back at the Airport Courtyard Marriott and ordered from Uber Eats. There is a great Chinese restaurant near LAX called China Palace that was fast and inexpensive. Their chicken chow mein (called low mein in Texas) was a very generous serving for only $8.49.

The next morning we couldn’t resist a drive through Bellaire and then down Rodeo Drive. All I can say is, Wow! Maybe some day one of my designs will make it into one of these stores.

Poppy Mini Purse on Rodeo Drive

Since our San Francisco trip two years ago, I have been playing around with designs inspired by California. My Poppy Mini Bag is the first in what I hope will be a book of California crochet patterns. It’s a cute little bag that measures only 5.5″ tall and can be made in yellow as a California poppy or red as a remembrance poppy.

Materials:

Worsted weight yarn

   1.5 oz. yellow or red

   1 oz green

   Few yards light yellow

Size G crochet hook

Yarn needle

Approximately 8” of nylon rope or purse handle

Directions:

Purse (Make 2):

Rnd 1: With green yarn, ch 2. Sc 6 in second ch from hook. Do not join.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc (12 sc).

Rnd 3: 1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat (18 sc).

Rnd 4: 1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat (24 sc).

Rnd 5: 1 sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat (30 sc).

Rnd 6: 1 sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat (36 sc).

Rnd 6: 1 sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat (36 sc).

Rnd 7: 1 sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat (42 sc).

Rnd 8: 1 sc in next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat (48 sc).

Rnd 9: 1 sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat (54 sc).

Rnd 10: 1 sc in next 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat (60 sc). Join with sl st. Fasten off.

Poppy Mini Purse side

Petals (Make 8):

Row 1: With yellow (or red) yarn, ch 3, sc in 2nd ch and in next sc (2 sc).

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, inc twice (4 sc).

Rows 3-8: Ch 1, turn. Inc in 1st st, sc across, inc in last st until petal measures 16 sc.

Rows 9-10: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st.

Row 11: Dec over 1st 2 sts, sc across, dec over last 2 sts. Fasten off. Attach yarn at side of Row 1, ch 1, sc in each row end, working acr4oss top of Row 11, dec, sc in next 10 sts, dec. Working down side, sc in each row end. Fasten off leaving 12” length.

Sew petals 1 and 3 to base, stitching up sides of petals, across row 9, then back down other side. The remaining rows will hang over the edge of the side of the purse.

Poppy Mini Purse petals

Sew petals 2 and 4 to base, overlapping petals 1 and 3 slightly.

Poppy Mini Purse 4 petals

With light yellow yarn, embroider pollen in the center with various sizes of straight stitches.

Poppy Mini Purse sew petals

 

Sew on a purchased purse handle or use nylon cord to make your own. Cut a piece of cord to the desired length plus 2”. Sc around length of cord leaving 12” lengths on each end. Sew each end of handle to purse. If desired, use hot glue to attach exposed cord to inside of purse. Then use 12” lengths to sew around the exposed cord.

Poppy Mini Purse sew handle

To download a PDF version, see https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/poppy-mini-bag-crochet-pattern.

More Handbag Patterns

Zebra Coin Purse

Mother’s Day Handbag Blog Hop

Horny Toad Coin Purse Crochet Pattern

Poppy Mini Bag Crochet Pattern

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Queen with Adam Lambert – Christmas in July

The soundtrack of my teen years consisted of some of the greatest rock bands of all time. During my high school years, Queen quickly became one of the top bands to fuel our teenage obsession with music. Although I have always wanted to see them in concert, Freddy Mercury’s untimely death put an end to that dream for Queen fans.Fast forward a few decades, and American Idol was the TV show for me. I fell in love with Adam Lambert, a baby-faced singer with an amazing stage presence. Being the mother of four Italian children, I wanted to take him home and cook him a lasagna. With his dark hair and blue eyes, he looked like the boy next door but with an extra serving of charisma.Then last year came the movie, Bohemian Rhapsody. It’s a must see for Queen fans, and it refueled my love of their music. Rami Malek brought Freddy back to life. That evening on the way home, I started searching the internet for anything related to Queen. Much to my delight, they were on tour with Adam Lambert joining them as the lead singer. I bought tickets immediately for the Houston show, and we were privileged to see these true rock icons in concert this week. Sitting in the Toyota Center listening to their music, I was 16 again. Brian May and Roger Taylor have aged (as have we all), but they were the same amazing musicians that they were 40 years ago. Adam Lambert paid homage to Freddy in words and in his performance. It was truly a magical night.

https://youtu.be/k4lXBoeqU0s

Of course, I had to crochet some dolls to commemorate the evening using a pattern from Crazy Craftiness.http://crazycraftiness.blogspot.com/2011/06/basic-amigurumi-body-june-pattern-part.html?m=1

We’re headed back to Houston today for another legendary band, the Rolling Stones. What an awesome way to spend my birthday weekend! I’ll share the details next week.Since it’s the last week of July, I have the final Christmas in July free pattern, a Santa Claus gift basket made on the Addi king knitting machine. They’re easy to work up. Then fill them with your favorite holiday treats and pass them out to neighbors and coworkers. Make a few extra to have on hand as hostess gifts for those last-minute party invites.

https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/santa-claus-gift-basket-addi-king-pattern-free-pattern

More Christmas Ideas

Melted Snowman Ornament

Christmas in July Blog Hop

Texas Flag Christmas Tree Ornament

Moose Ornament

Crown Ornament

Happy crocheting!