Saturday, August 29, 2009

Windemere Capelet Crochet Pattern.


I've had this one in the works for awhile, and now that Fall is in the air and it's time to not only start crocheting, but wearing warmer clothes, I'm ready to release by newest pattern, Windemere Capelet.
Made with Lions Brand Homespun Yarn that is easily available and comes in those oh-so-nice colours, you'll be making not only one for yourself but you'll be asked to make one for a gift for your friends. Remember, Christmas will be here before we know it!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

What A Life...

Do I really even need to say anything? Other than Awwwww!!!

Monday, August 24, 2009

Winding Roads Mitten Crochet Pattern

When you crochet in the round a spiral seam pattern will form. I'm not sure why or how it does this, especially when you are increasing or decreasing on each row, but it does.

So how can I overcome this spiral pattern? Well, don't fight it, join it! I actually embraced the spiral seam and created these new mittens with a winding road, or vine theme to them!
I think it is one of most favourite patterns that I have designed! Shhh... don't tell the other patterns, they might develop a complex!
I really like the versatility of these mittens since they can be worn in the fall or spring with a t-shirt and vest when temperatures are not quite cold enough for bulky winter coats, but can still be worn under a winter coat when the temperatures drop. There will be no cold draughts coming up my sleeves this winter!
Of course the mittens can be made without the winding vines, and a darker colour wouldn't even show the spiral seam, but I kind of like them just the way they are!

Winding Roads Mitten Pattern can be found HERE.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

New Pictures and a Soon to be New Piggy

I took some new pictures of my Grace Arm Warmer Pattern the other day since I've never been very pleased with them.
It wasn't easy since I had to set up the tripod, set the timer and run back and sit in the rooking chair before it went off!
I also had to contend with two little kitties constantly getting under foot and threatening to topple over the tripod! I look very relaxed considering what I had to go through, don't I?
On other news, poor little Piggy had to make a trip to the vet yesterday after he took a slight turn for the worse. The poor little thing got rid of his upper respiratory problem, but now has pneumonia! The vet said it was rare for this to develop, but he should make a full recovery if he takes his antibiotics. She also said how adorable he is... no surprise there! This is him just waking up from a long nap after his big adventure.

I also discovered this great blog, called Shabby Blogs, that helped me give my blog a make over! I'm still working on it but it's coming along! Check it out, it's fantastic!!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Birthday Specials!!!

It's my birthday today and to celebrate I'm having a week long sale in both of my Etsy shops!

At McBride House I'm offering free shipping on any purchase over the price of $45.00. All you need to do is say Happy Birthday in the "Note to Seller" and I will either send you a revised invoice minus the shipping charges, or if you would prefer to pay immediately, I will send you the refund of shipping costs to your Paypal account.
I'm even offering free shipping on my new Santa that I just listed this morning!
Free shipping on this guy too!

At my pattern shop I'm offering my brand new pattern "Drink Carrier and Cozy Crochet Pattern" free if you purchase any pattern from my store during the week of August 18 through August 26! Just remember to say Happy Birthday in the "Note to Seller" and I will send you your free pattern along with your purchased pattern.
These carriers would make great gifts for some of those hard to buy for people on your Christmas list. Start thinking about Christmas soon, it will be here before you know it!
I designed the water bottle carrier to have a short handle, but of course a long strap to hang from your shoulder would be great too (instructions on a longer handle are included).
Instructions also included on how to make a smaller pop cozy. These are really quick to crochet and would be great to make a bunch in your favourite colours.

Now for my Birthday present! Remember I said my husband got me a rock?
Ta da! This is my rock! Notice the line three quarter of the way up?
The top comes off and...
It's hollow inside! Perfect for hiding things, or take the top off and use it for a vase! I just love it! Better than any "rock" that could be worn on my finger, don't you think?

Monday, August 17, 2009

Kitty and Treasury

I'm so please to let everybody know that my little kitten, Piggy, is doing very well! He is the little sick kitten that I brought home with me and I'm proud to say that his eyes are free from infection and he is doing, and looking, much better! He still breathes a little raspy when he plays too hard with his brother Porky and he needs a lot more sleep, but he is doing extremely well considering how he was when I got him!

I'm also very pleased that my Trio of Neckwarmer Patterns made it into a wonderful treasury this weekend. The title is Knit in Canada and the last time I checked it was in the second highest position in the Treasury West! This is a first for me to be in one that is so "hot"! Splurge, another fellow Canadian, put this wonderful treasury together and you should check out some of her great jewelery!

Stay tuned tomorrow....I'm having a one day sale (or more, we will see) on both of my shops to celebrate my birthday! I haven't thought up all the details yet but I will blog about it tomorrow! By the way... I'm also getting a rock for my birthday from my husband... a big rock.... just wait for the pictures tomorrow! I'll bet it's not what you think!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Nova Scotia Vacation

What a lucky girl I am! My husband planned a short overnight trip to Nova Scotia for me! Well, actually he said "Do you want to go to Nova Scotia tomorrow?" and then I was left scrambling to make plans that night of where I wanted to go!

So I chose to go see Joggins Fossil Cliffs, but we had to pass through Amherst on our way there and stopped to take some pictures. This is the Baptist Church which is made of red sandstone.
This was looking up at the theatre (I think). It had maple leaves on each corner... how Canadian is that?
We actually took a side trip to Pugwash as well. This is a picture of the Thinker's Lodge, or Eaton's Lodge where the Pugwash Conference is held. The purpose of the Pugwash Conferences is to bring together, from around the world, influential scientists, scholars and public figures concerned with reducing the danger of armed conflict and seeking cooperative solutions for global problems (from Wikipedia). It was just starting to rain and you can actually see the storm coming in.
Destination point: Joggins!
The following are all fossils that we found on the beach. Sadly we weren't able to bring any home with us. If caught with any material found from the beach you would be fined $10,000.00!

This would have been "mud waves".
Part of a tree.
Dinosaur heart... just kidding... couldn't resist taking a picture of this one!
Then a quick trip down to Parrsboro and a quick look for seashells along the beach. The tide was coming in, so we didn't find many.
Lighthouse in Parrsboro. Calming, n'est pas?
Back home through Amherst and a few more pictures.
What better picture to end with, a tartan clad bagpipe player, a perfect symbol of Nova Scotia!

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Maritme Beach Treasury

I'm kind of down and out for a few days from doing crochet and felting since I broke my finger this last weekend, so I'm trying to catch up on some computer work... which is a little bit difficult since typing is a little hard to do! However, I did manage to snag a Treasury last night and devoted it to artist all from New Brunswick. It wasn't very hard to build a beach theme from all of our Etsy items. Click here if you would like to see some of my fellow New Brunswicker's beautiful work!
The fog was so thick this morning you could hardly see past your nose. I snapped this picture and when I came in and put it on the computer I noticed something in the tree.
When I zoomed in I realized that there was a crow in the tree. I guess the fog was so thick he never even noticed me!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Happy New Brunswick Day!

Today is the last day of our long weekend known in our Province as New Brunswick Day. Other provinces also have this long weekend (Ontario Day, British Columbia Day, etc) while others call it Natal Day (Nova Scotia and PEI) and Heritage Day (Alberta). It's a little confusing, I know. Sadly this is also the number one weekend where the most accidents are likely to happen.

This is also a spectacular weekend for my favourite flower, the Daylily. These are just a few of the ones in bloom in my garden right now.