AACKK! Pattern Box email all gone!

Hello! Yesterday, you would know the day I post a request for test knitters and directed everyone to use my Pattern Box email address to let me know if you were interested or not ... well, that very day, my web host had an "issue" with email and although it's back up now, ALL my folders have been emptied! No inbox! No sent mail! No folders at all!!! YIKES!
So, if you were interested in test knitting any of the projects, please email me again. Although everyone's email programs have "issues" from time and again, maybe you'd better use my amwheeless@carolina.rr.com just to be on the safe side. Hate to be a bother, but please email again!!!
Thanks!

New Year, New Projects ... Anyone care to be a test knitter?

As the new year is in full swing, my brain seems to be on overload with new ideas for knitting/felting projects! I can't knit them all fast enough! I have three worked out so far ... two are toys and the third is a party favor.
I am wondering if anyone out there would care to be a test knitter for one of them? Test knitting would require a bit of secrecy, though ... you see, I'm hoping to try to submit one or all of the patterns to either an online knitting publication or perhaps ... even a print one ... so, unfortunately, no photos or descriptions of the projects could be shared publicly ... not on your blog or on Ravelry or anywhere. I know. This is the difficult part. It's super difficult for me, because when I finish something, my natural inclination is to want to show it to people and get their opinions ... good or bad!
So, we could only share our opinions among ourselves. While you would not be paid for your time and trouble, you would get a free pattern from me ... so, if this seems interesting to you, please email me for more details.
I look forward to hearing from you!

Think Spring! Crepe-Paper Covered Nut Cups!

This is my first attempt at covering a little paper nut cup with crepe paper. I think it came out pretty well, save for the not-nearly-twisted-enough paper handle. I actually ordered a book from Amazon.com that supposedly gave instructions, but I'm afraid the descriptions did not include the pleated covering I had envisioned. So, I tried several different things and finally came up with this one. It needs work, but I think I'm on the right track!
There are so many holidays and occasions when a covered nut cup would add so much to the overall festive look of the table! I found my crepe paper folds at AC Moore and Hobby Lobby.
Once I perfect it, I'll post a photo tutorial so everybody can make them! Doesn't the pink paper make you feel like spring? *sigh UPDATE! I figured out how to do it!!! Directions are on my blog for March 2.

Stormy Days

Today's weather report. Believe it or not, these are not black and white photos. These are COLOR photos. Taken today right around noon. Wow, the wind is crazy out there, too! I had to park on the 6th floor of a parking deck when bringing my dad to the doctor today ... and it sounded so forlorn and creepy up there!!! YIKES! After all that, his appointment had been canceled and they called the wrong number yesterday to let us know. AARRGGGG.
This scene is pretty much how it's looked for days... okay, well, sometimes there's rain coming down, too. *sigh How long until Spring again?

Parents' Wish

My sister forwarded me this link to A Parent's Wish ... which probably would be more appropriately placed on my elderly parents blog ... but just had to share it here. These past few years of helping my elderly parents ... particularly this last year ... has brought many aspects of my life ... and "life," in general, into clearer view.

Sipping coffee, looking at Christmas Tree

As I sit here, sipping my morning coffee, I just really want each and every moment of Christmas vacation to happily sink in! I used to envision all kinds of perfect, glossy-magazine-style images for what a perfect Christmas morning would be like ... inevitably I'd be disappointed! I guess it comes with age ... but I don't feel like that anymore. I have no more glossy images in my head. Just being together with my family (dog included) ... no matter how imperfect we all might be or how imperfect the setting might be ... well, that's what makes it perfect in its own way! Ah. The warm silence of knowing all my kids (as old as they are!) are upstairs ... sleeping in ... semester grades posted and everybody did well, thank God. Home for the holidays ... my silly, old arthritic beardie girl, sleeping peacefully on her big, patchwork bed in the corner over there ... the clock ticking methodically on the wall ... *big sigh!
In a few minutes, I'll put the oil on to heat for the long-promised churros. I don't have any thick chocolate to make this morning. I forgot to order more! Oh well. It's the churros everybody loves, anyhow. Hot and crispy on the outside, soft insides ... covered in sifted powdered sugar, like so much snow on a cold morning ... only they warm you instead!
Well, I better go for now.

Felted Popcorn and Cranberry Garland

Here's a last-minute decoration for you ... but after felting a few of the "cranberries" my hands were quite sore! I've posted the recipe on my Pattern Box website. (Shhhh ... I think, really, it's a lot easier to just pop a batch of popcorn and grab a bag of cranberries from the grocery store!) But, if you want a no-calorie version, this one could be for you. I hope you enjoy!