I love to travel!! So far I have visited 30 states in the U.S., and my goal is to see all 50. Several countries are also on my bucket list, too. So far this year I have visited Bahamas and Canada. Ireland and Spain are next up on the list.
I really love visiting local yarn shops and creating a crochet design specific to that area.
Photos of my grandchildren. We don’t live near them, so we don’t get to see them very often.
Playing with Bruno.
Cooking for my husband. Thanks to my mom who taught me southern cooking, my ex who taught me Italian cooking, and my late mother-in-law who taught me Mexican cooking, we eat pretty well.
Crochet is my passion and my business. I’m so lucky to have a job that combines both.
Travel is another passion. Of course, I don’t get to travel every day, nor would I want to, but we always have fun on our trips.
Since I was a little girl watching the Sonny & Cher Show on TV, I have wanted to see her in concert. Dreams do come true – I got to see an amazing show last week in Houston. Her songs brought back so many memories, especially when she did her tribute to Sonny including video of them performing together. At 73 years old, she is an inspiration to women everywhere. She said she has never believed in saying no, and that philosophy has guided her very successful career. For those who think they’re too old or can’t do it, she says, “What is your granny doing at 73?”
They took me back in time to the disco era with “Le Freak,” “We are Family,” and many others. Kimberly Davis’s vocal prowess is something you have to see in person!
This ornament is my last Christmas pattern for this year, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Add a yellow rose in the middle, or leave it without – either way it’s a must for every Texas Christmas tree.
Finished ornament measures approximately 4” wide x 2.5” tall
Materials: Sport weight yarn – small amounts of red, blue, white, yellow Size G (4.00 mm) crochet hook Yarn needle Felt for backing Metallic cord, approximately 16”
Directions: FLAG: Row 1: With red yarn, ch 13, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 11 ch (12 sc). Rows 2-6: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. Rows 7-12: With white yarn, ch 1, turn, sc in each st. Fasten off white.
Row 1: Turn on side and work 1 sc in each row end with blue yarn (12 sc). Rows 2-6: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. Do not fasten off. For edging, ch 1, turn, sc in each st around with 2 sc in each corner, changing colors as needed.
Embroider star with white yarn or sew on star applique.
ROSE: With yellow yarn, ch 20, 3 dc in 4th ch from hook, *sc in next ch, 3 dc in next ch,* repeat across. Rolling from the center, stitch in place as you roll. Sew to center of flag. Weave in all ends.
For your New Year’s party, here’s the perfect hat! Don’t tell anyone – I made one for the white elephant gift exchange. If you use an Addi knitting machine, there’s also a pattern for beer socks.
The clock is ticking, and sales are picking up on the 2020 Crochet Calendar. Hurry to order yours before they run out.
Free shipping at My Fingers Fly on Etsy
If you live in the San Antonio area, you can find the calendar at the following stores:
It has been a wonderful year, and I’m looking forward to more good things to come in 2020. Hoping everyone has a wonderful holiday season and a successful new year.
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.
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.
I grew up in Galveston County and have seen my share of pelicans, but the size of these guys amazed me!
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.
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.
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.
I want to thank SA Monthly Magazine and Texas Hill Country for their article on my Horny Toad crochet patterns.
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
Until then, happy crocheting!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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/
Bald Eagle Potholder
https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/bald-eagle-crochet-pattern
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.
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.
