Gmail Invites anyone?

I have recently become a Gmail lover. It is awesome. When I first signed up I had 19 invitations to give out and then today I found that I have 100 invites. So, my question for all of my readers is... would you like to try out Gmail?

My favorite thing about Gmail is how it puts together messages with the replies that follow. I am in a few Yahoo Groups and I used to get my messages individually but it was overwhelming. I switched to daily digest and I felt like I was behind the times and could never follow the conversation. It seemed like people would either not trim their posts or would completely eliminate all traces that would help it make sense. Gmail allows you to do individual messages and groups together the original message with any replies. It's awesome!

So anyway, if you are interested email me and I will send you an invite right away.

Things I love!!

Today is one of those days that I love. It feels like fall in every way. Cool weather, colorful leaves, and actual crunchy leaves on the ground make me happy. I am so not a fan of the summertime heat. I love, love, love fall. To be totally honest I also love winter and early (as in cool) spring.

As long as I'm on the subject of things I love I feel a list is in order. Now topping this list would of course be God, Family and good friends but beyond that you will find the following... in no particular order...

Football, specifically the Miami Dolphins!


Gotta love Tivo especially when you combine it with Directv


As a new convert I must say that Gmail rocks! Totally cool:-)


I have a favorite LYS but Threadbear is the bomb!!! A must visit for anyone in MI.


Totally easy way to stay up to date on all the wonderful blogs out there.


Groups bring together people with like interests!


Excellent knitting magazine. Realistic patterns with wonderful articles!


I so miss our local Red Lobster but I still love it.


Best Wood Fired Pizza hands down. Regional but wonderful!


I love TV but fall is about SURVIVOR! Rooting for a local this year, Gary but would love to see Stephanie succeed as well, go guys go!


My question to all out there... what do you love???

Free Pattern Friday!

Wow, it's been a week since I last posted. How sad. I don't know where the time is going. Today is a month since my Grandma's passing. She is deeply missed by all who knew her!

For my Free Pattern I bring you one that I have seen on another blog and actually got from Threadbear's newsletter. It's a crocheted cell phone holder made from Berroco Suede. It was an easy project considering I didn't really crochet before I attempted it.

The original pattern can be found here. I really liked it but...


I felt it was unbalanced and decided to do it with two buttons instead. Either way works very well, it's just a personal preference.


This is an alternate view.


If you can find the suede in the new Tri-Color or Suede Deluxe it is awesome. I made a couple but for some reason I can't keep them... very popular!

Introducing... Free Pattern Friday!!!!!

I LOVE free patterns. They are just plain awesome. What more can you ask for when you stumble upon the perfect pattern and it doesn't break the bank. I have lots of pattern books with very nice patterns but I seem to get more excitement out of the free patterns. I'd like to thank those of you that share your hard work with the likes of me!

This is a hat pattern that I thought looked kind of cool. I knit it out of Lamb's Pride Worsted in Limeade. I omitted the loop at the top.


So, if all goes well, I will be posting a new free pattern along with my progress every Friday! Hope all enjoy. For more free patterns sign up to receive the Threadbear newsletter. It comes weekly and has about 4 or 5 free pattern links. Both crochet and knit are represented. Thanks Matt & Rob! Knit on :-)

Preemie Project

I have been crocheting some hats for the Preemie Projects Pumpkin Push. I've ran out of orange yarn but will hopefully be able to get more soon. I have used three different colors and brands of yarn as you can tell by the pictures but I'm happy with how they turned out. Not really being a crocheter I'm quite proud of them. I'd like to think that my Grandma would be proud of me too!

Wrapped up in CNN coverage...

I have spent this last week and a half like most people around the world, glued to my television. I've cried and cried and questioned every decision made by every person. It's such a tragedy, it just breaks my heart. It's almost more than I can handle so I can't imagine how these survivors are able to deal. I won't bring politics into it at this point, there's plenty of time for that later I suppose. My thoughts and prayers and plenty of tears go out to the survivors and all of the families affected by this incredible force of nature and the depressing aftermath.