Threads, Patterns and Hooks =)

A few weeks ago I sent a Cannon threads order to Tina in Colorado. She didnt have paypal so she offered to send me what I needed. I asked from her the latest shrug patterns and some steel hooks. I was surprised to receive it yesterday, and its been only a week since she mailed it :D Thank you again, Tina, for these.

Summer Health Tips

It has been summer here for the past several days, very warm indoors and intense heat from the sun outdoors. So I made some google searches to remind me again what are the necessary precautions for the summer season. Here are some tips that I got.

• Drink plenty of water; your body needs it to prevent dehydration during warm summer days. Take bottles of water with you, if you're going out for any length of time. Remember, infants and toddlers can become dehydrated much more easily than adults, so be sure they get lots of liquids.
• If you have asthma or other respiratory problems, watch the air quality report for the day. Limit your time outdoors on days that have moderate to poor air quality outlooks. Plus, don't forget to take your inhaler or other medication when you go out.
• Wear appropriate shoes for your outdoor activities. If you're doing a lot of walking or other sports activities, skip those stylish summer sandals. Avoid blisters and sprains by choosing a good pair of walking shoes. Wear them with comfortable, cotton socks.
• Take a rest. Don't push beyond your physical limits. At intervals, sit in a shady spot.
• Take cover. Sunburn is painful and unhealthy. Use a good sunscreen, and re-apply it frequently during the day. Also, wear a hat to keep cool and shaded.
• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing to help you stay cooler.
• Don't forget sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun's UV rays.
• Maintain your energy level by limiting your intake of fat and sugar; focus on carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables.
• Consume alcohol in moderation, and don't drink at all near the time that you may be driving.
• If you are traveling by air, put prescription drugs in your carry-on bag, not your checked luggage. Travelers and their baggage are sometimes parted, and it may be dangerous to skip even one dose.
• It is particularly important to bring medicines with you if you are traveling abroad. Drug names, doses, and availability differ in different countries, and in some parts of the world, drug safety and effectiveness may not be up to U.S. standards.
• Check the labels on your medicines for the possibility that they might increase your sensitivity to sun and/or heat.
• Don't store medicines in the trunk or glove compartment of your car or take them to the beach unless you will need them there. High heat and humidity can alter the potency of many drugs.
• If you are traveling with small children, make sure that all drugs are in containers with child-resistant caps. It may be difficult to keep medicine out of reach or under lock and key the way you would at home.
Tips Source: 1997-2003 American Council on Science and Health and 1997-2005, BJC HealthCare

We'll be heading for the beach as in the past years in our place in La Union province. The beach isnt a beauty, but nevertheless we enjoy a short vacation there away from the city. What I really look forward to is the fresh food especially fish and other seafoods and vegetables; and this:

Update on packages

I went to the Post Office today to mail a couple of packages. Since I already know beforehand how much I would be paying based on their list, I was surprised to know that they are again charging the old rates. I had been standing in line for quite a while and I didnt know, so I didnt even think of asking when did they go back to the old rates. But the teller told me that the new rates will again be effective on April. Now, I would have to ask later if it would be effective April 1 or another date.

Btw, I got my order of shea buttah from Deneen, it took quite sometime and I was glad when I opened it that it wasnt melted. Now, I didnt think when I ordered it of the possibility it would melt because of our weather. Anyway, it was very nice and I immediately used it on my dry skin =)

Friends

Finding new friends is hard when one works at home. But through the internet it is really possible to find new and true friends. Being near is not really necessary, though if you can actually see and hear your friend, it is wonderful. I have been blessed to find genuine friends on the internet, I know they are real to me as I am real to them. I so wish to meet them all in person, but being a non-traveler, it is almost impossible.
About a month ago, I chanced upon meeting a neighbor when she saw my blog and inquired about the threads I'm selling. We didnt know then we were just a few blocks away from each other. I am more than glad that we share the same interest in crochet, we are both mothers, and we're of the same age. What a happy coincidence!
So here, I dedicate this post to Jeng. Since she's working fulltime in a bank, she hasnt tried blogging yet.

Here are the lovely accessories she has made:


A purse from Daphne Mah's pattern She added a crocheted beads handle. This was made from Cannon thread, size 8, in multicolor.




A cigarette holder, with a nice flower accent.

Flower accessories from this site.

Friends smile at you.
They like your face.
They want to be with you
Any old place.

Friends have fun with you.
Friends share
They’re glad when you’re happy---
When you’re sad, they care.

If you’re a friend
Then you care, too.
That’s why your friends
Are glad you’re you!!!

Nice Friendship Quote : A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked. -- Bernard Meltzer

Cant get enough of these... cell phone totes!

Its obvious I've gone crazy over these cell phone totes! I didnt know I was just warming up when I made the first two purses, but now that I discovered the wonder of multicolored threads, I couldnt stop!
Here's what I finished yesterday:


Today I finished one more:


Also took a shot of the lucky bamboo plant my mother gave me.
Still more to come :D

Cell Phone Tote

I'm still into cell phone purses =) and I'd like to post what I did a while back. I made this with two strands of thread size 8, and 3mm hook. I just used what I have for embellishment, and I was quite content with it. When I look at it now, how I wish I made it in a nicer color.

So I thought of making another one also using two strands of thread, but this time in multicolors. I searched the internet for some ideas and saw this cell phone bag. I went ahead and made something similar, which I will call a cell phone tote. I just love working with multicolor threads. I am always thrilled to see what design will come up with the mix of colors.

A funky cell phone purse

Here's another cellphone purse I made. I didnt want to start on a big project, so I looked at my stash and decided to do something from my leftover yarns =) This is my latest creation, just made it up as went along. I started with the light blue yarn that was in the crochet kit that Tina gave me (yes, she gave me a lot of nice things!) I had some LB fur yarn left over, also from Tina, and in a matching light blue! I kept thinking "c'mon be funky", because looking back on my past projects they are all predictable - plain and simple. I also get to use some of my crafting accessories. Here I used a plastic button and some glass beads.

Free Patterns for Cell Phone Purses:
Cell Phone Hugger at Knitpixie
Cell phone case by DMC
Cell phone pouch by Priscilla Hewitt
Cell phone purse at Crochet N' More
Cell phone wrist pouch at Crochet N' More
PJ's Cell Phone Pouch

Updates:
Cellphone bag at Auntie M's
Mobile pocket in Eskimo yarn
Cell phone case by Lynn
Cell phone bag with openwork center at crochet.about.com
Scarecrow cell phone pouch

See other fun fur projects

Cell phone sling purse

Couldnt resist using at once the wonderful fur yarn sis just gave me. I used the burgundy color and matched it with the LB wool ease in Burgundy Sprinkles that Tina gave me in the Autumn SP swap.



See other fun fur projects

Yay... more yarns!

I got a package from my sister today, in it was a postcard with a cat figurine picture from the British Museum. And...the wonderful surprise, she sent me some beautiful fur yarns named Eskimo, by stylecraft. I love it! Thanks Sis!!! Each one is like a cute little stuffed toy, I just need to put some moving eyes and I can have fun with it... Of course, I'm now on the lookout for projects I can make with these lovely yarns =)

"Smile, furry pets"

Boo...Scary!

"The Sak" Hobo bag copycat

Here now is the bag I've been talking about, what do you all think? =) I've laboured on it for three days. I still have to sew a lining and put a magnetic closure to it.
The pattern is very easy to follow, but the tightweave stitches require a lot of patience. Moreover, I didnt really like a pink bag, but since I had a lot of pink threads I decided to use it. The project used up 9 1/2 balls of cotton thread size 8, with 3 strands worked together. I got the bag color and flower hang tag idea from The Sak website. And this is where I got the pattern online.

Notes on the pattern: The bottom part was done using a 3mm hook as instructed. I think I would use the 3.5mm hook all throughout the pattern on my next try, as I didnt like the way the bottom was shaped.

Crochet and other stuff

Its been a week, the excitement of the crochet olympics has worn off, what's next? Seems I am at a lost again on my crochet projects, starting a few things and not finishing any :( I started on a bolero, but its turning out too small. Also started another drawstring bag, and I'm not really into it. Now I saw another "sak" bag and decided to do that and it really takes a lot of time and takes a lot more effort because the stitches have to be a bit tight. But I know the result would be rewarding. So I hope to finish it in two days and I wanted it to be a surprise. The pattern is available online, for free. Photo shows the flower I designed to embellish the bag.


Btw, to those who ordered some threads from me, the threads will be arriving to me this week. Sorry for the slight delay. Will update you soon on your specific orders, thank you so much for waiting.

Photo shows a sneak preview of one of my surprise items. Two of this are now on its way to that special person who is supposed to receive it.