...it's begining to look a lot like Christmas...

Now that is an understatement! I can not belive that living in Southern California I'm going to actually say that we were SNOWED IN! take a look

HOLY SHIngles...

what the heck! Aren't shingles something older people get? and if so does 32 qualify as old!? if so I want a refund! Give me my youth back!
Yeah...I have shingles! On my face!!! at first I thought it was a cold sore...I've had them before but when it started to grow and I felt so crummy and in pain I decided I should have a doctor look at it and he said "shingles" I'd post a picture but I'm rather embarrassed!
I hope this crud clears up soon! I was rather hoping to participate at a tree triming party!

...You're it!

OK. I have been tagged by Riohnna!
Seven Things About Lorena You (Probably) Don't Already Know!
1. I am the oldest of 4 daughters
2. I married my high school sweetheart (met him in 7Th period history class)
3. I'm a High School drop out
4. but went back exactly 10 years later and graduated class of 2004!
5. I work with my mother and my husband (she got us both our jobs, yay nepotism!)
6. My son was born in February '95, I was married in June '95 and my youngest son did the math...and had questions!
7. I'd love to be on American idol (if it weren't for the age limit!)
OK, now for the guidelines, rules, things you must do list.
1. Be nice and link to the person(s) who tagged you.
2. Share 7 random, weird, unknown things about yourself on your blog.
3. Tag 7 other people to join the meme.
4. Comment on their blogs so they know
I tag anyone willing to take the time to tell me 7 things about themselves....

Knit two

I just finished reading Knit two by Kate Jacobs! It's the sequel to The Friday night knitting club...and I liked it. I hadn't read in SO long, it felt so good to get lost in my head for hours at a time and think about someone else's problem, even if they were just made-up. I won't be discussing the book on here, if you want to know what it's about...read the book! If you'd like to borrow my copy, let me know...I'll share!

I can not believe I'm about to say this but I've burnt-out! My hands ache and I do NOT want to pick up a crochet hook anymore! Only problem is I've got 4 projects* started and 1 more in the planning stages! Please help!!! I need motivation or threats...they work too!

I did pick up the knitting needles though...my hands can't sit still very long. I started another pair of fingerless gloves from creativeyarn, did I tell you how much I love her patterns! I'm working on her emerald green handwarmer pattern and it's looking good so far. I wish I was more fluent in knit...I struggle very much, I don't know the terms, my gauge is SO tight, and I work so very slow! Practice, right?!

Here's a preview....

I'm really loving me some BrookOwens she got the most awesomest headbands up on her etsy store! This one is going on my Christmas wishlist! I just wish I knew how to wear them?!

Okay enough with the boring dialog! until next post...

We're back

...are the stars out, tonight?

I love this pattern! I have a granny addiction and this one has got to be my absolute favorite! The pattern is from samijofitz at crochetville. It's called The granny star afghan and here's the one I made for my niece Isa.


Stitch detail...

I used Red Heart Designer Sport in Pistachio and girly pink and Caron one pound in white with a big ol' K hook!

in other news...I'm so glad you enjoyed yourself Ms. Diva! and trust me my hand aches too! My index finger knuckle feels 2 sizes too big...or is that the Grinch? I'm looking forward to the next meet and I'm very much intrigued by that double-ended crochet hook!?

Seija-like blanket

I really liked the seija pattern from the happy hooker and when I was asked if I could make a quick baby shower gift I jumped at the chance to try it! I loved how fast it worked up...I of course made modifications because I couldn't possibly follow a pattern all the way through, but it's great! I did not include the seatbelt slot and I doubled it's size.

I used Caron one pounders in off-white and leaf green, with homespun in oatmeal...the baby room theme is safari and I think I matched it pretty well!

...it's the time, of the season...

I know It's been quiet on my end but I'm REALLY busy working on my Christmas gifts. I managed to make a huge dent in my to-do list but I've still got a ways to go before I complete my numerous projects*... I've got to say though, it feels great when I get to see the finished product. I feel so proud and accomplished. I even think I'm getting better at this crochet thing! If only my hands would cooperate more!
Once again the girls will be meeting up for a crochet night (or as I call it a yarning...I don't know it sounds sinister to me) This time we're headed to Karina's and I can't wait...I'm itching to finish my latest project*! I've also been invited and would REALLY like to attend another get together at the local Panera...note to self: MUST attend...WILL be sociable!

Sorry no picture again...I'll try harder next post.

* code for Christmas present

Saturday night alright for crochet...

My kids play baseball and I can often be found in a chair off to the side with some sort of yarn project on my lap. Well I seem to have developed a small following and it finally spilled over to an actual crochet together night! We had our first ever meeting Saturday and it was nice...thanks Blanca for hosting and for providing the drinks. I hope all of the ladies had a good time and that they'll love to crochet as much I do.

* UPDATE:Sponsor-A-Pound

I got the idea from titus2woman and she saw it on The Rachael Ray show and I thought I'd give it a try.I've got 50 pounds to lose and I was wondering if anyone out there wanted to help by giving me an incentive for each increment of 5 pounds lost or otherwise known as sponsoring a (5)pound! The incentive is up to you, it can be anything...sending an encouraging card, buying someone lunch, anything.
Just post a comment and I'll update the list.

I've done it! I lost my first 5 pounds!

• 5~Sarah said she'd send me 5 balls of yarn for my first 5 pounds! Thank you...you should check her blog out...I'm kind of addicted! ~accomplished!



• 10~Kalurah has graciously donated a pair of Obon earings for me and a friend!!!



• 15~Misty's buying me a new pair of shoes!



• 20~Sandi crocheted item, my choice! check out her page and sponsor her too!



• 25~MissRach offered up her very own Knotty Pines Scarf, Hat, and Mitts Set pattern! I checked out on her blog...it rocks!



• 30~Tiffany is going to give me a $30 gift certificate to a store of my choice!!!



• 35~



• 40~



• 45~Misty's getting me a 50 minute massage!



• 50~Lisette, my sister said she's taking me shopping! $100!! Get your Credit Card ready...I'm going to lose this weight!

I am also going to keep a photo Journal...but I can't promise anything!

The freaks come out at night!

My husband turned 33 on October 13 so to celebrate we had ourselves a costume party this weekend! It was kinda of nice to dress up and let loose or as loose as possible being that we where still surrounded by a bunch of kids! We had a good time...there was the Marilyn (husband), not Monroe, Manson! Sally (me) from The nightmare before Christmas, Adam (as in first man), and the ninja...

Horrible picture, I know but I thought I'd share anyway...I do not have a picture of the boys yet but as soon as I do I'll update.



I made a wig! my sister needed a blond wig for my niece's Cinderella costume and I just knew I had to make this but I am not a proficient knitter so I found this crocheted version and quickly got to work.


This is not the niece it was intended for but she did make a great model, no?

...stars out tonight...

I finished the starghan I had started and I think it looks great! It's off on it's way to my cousins daughter. It's her birthday this week and I hope she loves it!

Happy Birthday, Melanie!

Jealous? ME?!

...yes! I want to have a contest too! but it has to be for some snazzy reason, not just because everyone is doing it...right?



Check out Adrienne's sock for a chance to win something fabulous!



I have a preview...I finally stepped out of my box and decided enough was enough! after reading this post. I started my very own starghan!

She's a baby still but I started!

I'm back but still not normal

I'm back to work after being out all week and I'm feeling better although I'm still stuffed up and my ears still hurt. Ear Infections at 32! anyway...I have been busy! Crochet up a storm...I even have finished items!

This has got to be my proudest achivement yet!

My very first wearable that I'm actually going to wear! constantly!

Fisherman's wife

I tested this pattern for Kalurah and I LOVE it! I have to have one in every color!!!!

I made a matching hat from this pattern at Creativeyarn. She has some amazing stuff! The tam was so easy to do. It worked up so quickly and it nice and toasty!

I'm sick

So I'm home sick with what the doctor called a "flu bug" yes that was the clinical term he used for the note he wrote keeping me home from work for the rest of the week. What ever will I do with a week off of work you ask? SLEEP! I'm so exhausted...I can't even keep up with my homework and I've got a ton of WIP's but all I want to do is sleep! I have pictures to show but even that is too exhausting so off to bed for a week!

Favorite Color Swap~ completed!

I think this one was by far the most funnest swap I've participated in! The rules where more relaxed but being crocheter...we still included crocheted pieces (not required this time). My partner Michelle and I hit it off immediately and it was a blast to shop for "periwinkle" items. Of course my favorite color of choice was yellow and that's exactly what I got! a box full of sunshine!

and this is what I sent Michelle

Now I'm on a self-imposed swap ban (crying) until after this semester is over...sociology and geology here I come!

Entrelac Tunisian

It's done and it's so pretty and soft! I hope it makes some baby very happy and warm...

All packaged up and ready to go...

Entrelac baby blanket

I ordered the Entrelac booklet from Gourmet Crochet and I started a baby blanket that will be donated to Camp Pendleton at the end of this week...I love how easy it is to work tunisian entrelac! and the blanket looks great!

Here's my work in progress

I can't wait to post the finished product!

2008 Purse swap

Although it might seem like I've abandoned this blog or that it has officially been taken over by a weight loss blog, it in fact has not. I have been working on crocheted items...just very quietly (shhhh) but here's a project I recently finished for craftimama.

The Bag

Close up of the handle

The lining