Mystery Project Revealed!

I finished the project!

...then I wasn't sure I should post it in case it was "seen." Hubby assured me that I should, so here it is:

It's a little Baby Washcloth/Hand Puppet Frog! (also, it's really hard to photograph when it's not on a hand! I had tried to prop his mouth open with the needle I had just finished using to attach the eyes, and it just felt wrong...) =D

I found the pattern here at Lily Sugar'n Cream patterns.

A few hints:
I used a Size G hook and did it REALLY tight. I'm hoping this will help it to keep its shape better when wet.

"Embroider" the nostrils BEFORE you put it all together. grrrr. You could do the eyes, too, but they weren't as bad.

I used worsted weight cotton for the body of the frog. I used regular cotton (HL I Love This Cotton) for the mouth. Since that will be that part that mostly touches baby's precious skin, I wanted it really soft.

Christmas Ideas Galore

Dittle Dattle is hosting her first link party today. Hop over there and check out all the great crafting and decorating projects over there (especially if you're like me and need help in the Christmas Decorating department!).

Movie Character

If you could be any movie character, which one would it be? (I know this doesn't seem like a very Thanksgiving-ish post, but bear with me.)

My answer would probably change regularly, but this time of year, I can't help but think of You've Got Mail.

 Photo source: imdb

Remember that scene where Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) is in the grocery store, and she's desperately trying to avoid Joe Fox (Tom Hanks)? She's standing in the Cash Only line and is mortified because she only has $1 and just wants to pay with her credit card and get out of there. Naturally, Joe Fox comes to "rescue" her and tries to make nice with the cashier.

Joe: Rose. Great name. Rose, this is Kathleen, I'm Joe, and this is a credit card machine. Happy Thanksgiving.
(Rose stares at him. She's not going to budge.)
Joe: Now it's your turn to say "Happy Thanksgiving" back.
Rose: (deadpan) Happy. Thanksgiving. Back.

I want to be Rose in You've Got Mail! Every year, my sister and I say this to each other. We're pretty messed up, I admit, but it's a thing we do.

Now you have a terrifying insight into my mind.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving contributions

We missed out on hosting Thanksgiving this year, so I only have a small list of items that we'll be making.

Honey Wheat Rolls (hubby found the recipe and might still be changing his mind...I'll update later)

Pilgrim Hat Cookies (these are SO adorable that I just have to try them... unfortunately, I'll have to eat more than my fair share of them because my mother-in-law thinks that chocolate and peanut butter combined comes straight from the devil)
Here's how mine turned out:

Cranberry Sauce (made this for Christmas last year, it's already a favorite)

my "famous" Cranberry Tea. This recipe is so easy and so delicious, you have to try it!

Ingredients (I'll be doubling it)
4 tea bags
2 C. boiling water
32 oz. cranberry juice (or cranberry + another flavor juice--Cranberry Raspberry is really good)
1/3 - 1/2 C. dried cranberries (optional)
1/3 C. sugar
1 lemon, sliced 1/4" thickness OR a healthy squirt of lemon juice
4 cinnamon sticks (depending on how large they are)
If you'd like to go for the "mulled" flavor, add 6 whole cloves.

Directions
Place tea bags in Crock Pot. Pour boiling water over tea bags; cover and let steep for ~5 minutes. Remove and discard tea bags. Stir in cranberry juice, cranberries (if desired), sugar, lemon, and cinnamon sticks. Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours or on high for 1-2 hours.
Remove and discard lemon (if using slices) and cinnamon sticks.

The cranberries will plump up as this warms. I like having the bits of fruit in the tea. If you have leftovers, chill in refrigerator. This is also VERY good cold! I don't enjoy the cranberries as much in the cold tea, but you might like it.

This is a great recipe to throw together after supper before you go out for a crisp fall walk. Walk in the house with the rosy cheeks and nose and have a warm pot of tea waiting for you and filling the house with delicious aromas. Ahhhh! (Can you tell we've done this more than once?)

Mystery Project - pic 2

After adding more since the last picture, I have taken it all out and started over.

Here's where the project stands:

 

 Any new guesses?

Mystery Project

This is my current project.

Any guesses what it will be?

Bead Crochet - smaller beads, complete

My recent Bead Crochet project is complete...at least as far as the beads go.

It ended up being ~13.5", so I'll be crocheting a few chains on the ends before attaching the clasps so that it's not completely a choker.

Materials used:
Transparent Silver seed beads 10/0
Transparent holographic seed beads 10/0 reddish, pinkish, orange-ish depending on the light ;-)
Extra fine crochet thread, size 30
Size 12 steel hook
Finally obtained a twisted wire needle for threading the beads--made life MUCH easier with these tiny beads.
Toggle clasp to be added soon!

With the photographer of the family unavailable for input at the moment, I couldn't decide which picture most clearly represented it. =D Here are two.

Enjoy your weekend! I have big plans to accomplish a lot...