Jul 31
KrisUncategorized
Colorado River
Bernat has an offer for 4 free pattern books, but they are only available until August 31, 2010. You can find them HERE.
I thought I’d share some more of my scenic pictures. I’m no photographer so when a picture doesn’t come out blurry I figure I’ve done a good job and find the need to share. The first one is the Colorado River and the canyon. In the distance you can see a tower which we found out a few miles down the road was called “Fisher Tower.”
This next one caused me to say “what the heck?” First of all I thought it sad that someone felt the need to use white paint and basically graffiti the side of this hill. We went around the corner and it looked like someone had built a building in front of this supposed hole n” the rock. You couldn’t see any hole. I felt sufficiently ripped off. I guessed you might have to pay to see the hole in the rock and that kind of irks me. You shouldn’t have to pay to see natural wonders. Except for Yellowstone. I’d pay (and have) again and again to go to Yellowstone and understand the need for upkeep.
Hole N" The Rock
Jul 30
KrisFree Patterns calico bag, cat inspired crochet pattern, monument valley
Art is often inspired by nature and that certainly applies to crochet. I ran across this pattern for a calico bag that was inspired by the designer’s cat! I am not adding this pattern to the website as it does not appear to be for beginners, but it definitely deserves a spot in the “unique” CATegory. Even if you don’t make the pattern go take a look at the amazing creative steps it took to get this pattern accomplished. Totally worth looking at!!
I’m currently toasting and working on my tan in Arizona while visiting my sister. Hubby and I took our only grandson to a family reunion and then on to my sister’s where g-son and I are staying for 2 weeks. Although we live in Colorado, Arizona will always be home. I didn’t travel around the state much until we got ready to move away at which point I finally got to see the Grand Canyon. I think I’d lived in Az for about 20 years by then. Nuts I know. You should really explore your own backyard right? On this particular trip we took a road less traveled through Utah to include Moab, Cisco (bunch of falling down buildings) and then followed the Colorado River through an absolutely gorgeous canyon. I took tons of pics. Going into Arizona I finally got to see Monument Valley! Again, took tons of pics through the windshield and one actually came out pretty good.
Monument Valley
Jul 12
KrisUncategorized
I’ve promoted a few of the survey sites that I belong to and have found to be profitable. Over the years I have gotten products to test at home (1 gallon of laundry detergent, toilet paper, shampoo) and gift cards from $5 to $80. I have had a goodly amount of cold hard cash mailed (who mails cash anymore?) and promptly deposited in my PayPal account. Does it make a living. Absolutely not. Is it nice to get a little something-something for giving my opinion? You betchya.
I have never expected the mother lode so I was more than surprised when I was awarded a $200 check from a sweepstakes. Really, I did!!! I’ll post a picture of the check, which is now long ago deposited and spent.
$200 check
If you want to join this particular survey site, jump in here:
Jun 28
KrisStuff I made
Summer doesn’t seem like the perfect time to crochet, but really, is there a bad time? I just can’t think of a time when I haven’t wanted to crochet. Even as Arthur Itis takes a hold of my left hand at the base of my thumb, I find I still want to crochet - I just don’t have the stamina I once had. I feel like the little engine that could….”I think I can, I think I can.”
Currently I’m working on another blanket for baby Ava, who is now 2 1/2 years old. I’ve fallen back on an old favorite of mine, the ripple. In my opinion it is THE most versatile pattern and doesn’t allow me to get bored. I also like that it’s flexible to have a few oops stitches and not suffer too much. I get my hook going and am silently counting in my head while watching TV or talking and sooner or later I’ve missed or added a stitch which doesn’t reveal itself for a row or two. I think that’s part of the charm of handmade. It’s like love, not perfect but perfect in it’s own way.
Here are some great ripple patterns:
Ripple Throwback
Ripple Afghan
Yet Another Ripple
Apr 20
KrisStuff I made gift, quick and easy scarf, skinny scarf, to do list
I discovered a pattern recently for a scarf, which escapes me at the moment, that I found to be one of the best stress relievers and no brainers ever! As soon as I find the pattern I will post it, but in the meantime I did manage to take a picture. I think I’ve made 5 or 6 of them now and they are just a really cute skinny scarf. These would be perfect as gifts and only take an hour or so to make. I don’t mean to tease like this but I was so tickled with this pattern! The original is actually much shorter and I used a cotton yarn (I love this yarn!) I doubled the length because the original was only made to loop around the neck and then knotted. My photography isn’t the best but they really are a nice lightweight scarf to dress up almost any outfit. To do list: find this pattern again!
Apr 17
KrisUncategorized Wubbzy, Yarn
The Wubbzy
Reader Renee asked if I had found the yellow yarn yet. I thought it high time to post a picture of Wubbzy so here it is. You will notice he is armless and tail-less. So in answer, I have not found plain yellow yarn yet. It’s crazy I tell ya! My husband thought he’d found some once and sent me a picture via his cell phone, which is not very accurate with colors, but I told him to grab them anyway as there were only 2 skeins and he overheard another shopper tell her husband she was looking for yellow yarn. No pressure here. Turns out it is a bright yellow and not compatible. I almost caved and used it just so I could finish it but I stopped myself. I guess my standards have gotten higher. Now if my experience would just catch up!
The hunt continues……………
Apr 09
KrisFree Patterns free crochet pattern, free pillow pattern, temporary download
I just ran across this pattern at Crochet Soiree for Chunky Pillows. It is a temporary download available from 4/9 through 4/23. You must be logged in to Crochet Soiree (free) to download their free patterns so make sure to sign up. Go download these to your computer now before they are gone! Yes, now.
Mar 22
KrisYarn Yarn
Saturday hubby and I went out to dinner alone, which we hadn’t done in a very long time. It was quite pleasant and we were able to hold a conversation without much interuption. The restaurant was very noisy, but the service exceptional and the food perfect. And we didn’t have to cook or clean up! Thank you Texas Road House.
After dinner we needed to pick up a couple of items, one of them being a skein of yellow yarn so I can finish up Wubbzy’s arms and tail. The other item was a pack of writable CD’s so we ran into Walmart in ignorant bliss and full tummies expecting to pick up both items and who knows what might fall in the basket down the yarn isle. Well, you never know, ya know?
We immediately located the CD’s and headed for the comparitively small hobby area. It didn’t take long to scan the one aisle and see there was no yellow acrylic yarn. None. Not one skein. Sport yarn and baby yarn, but no plain ol’ acrylic.
Okay it can happen. Nonplussed we get the CD’s and head over to Michaels. Surely they will carry yellow yarn. We get there and because hubby has bad feet, the yarn isle is clear in the back of the store. I don’t mind except for the magnetic pull down each and every aisle between the front door and the yarn. It’s amazing how slow I can walk and even more amazing that I don’t run into someone or something while gaping.
There are two aisles of glorious yarn here and not one skein of yellow acrylic yarn. Disbelieving I go up and down the aisle 15 times thinking surely I just missed it along the way. I find butterscotch, lemon zest and pale yellow, but not one plain yellow. Now I’m getting upset thinking Wubbzy is going to be arm-less and tail-less. This is just crazy-stuff!
Hubby drags me out whispering “it’s okay, they don’t have it and we’ll check at Hobby Lobby.” My mouth is gaping and I keep muttering “I don’t believe they don’t have YELLOW yarn!”
We get to Hobby Lobby and I am nearly running for the gold….or yellow as it were. I leave hubby behind and slide into the yarn aisle with high anticipation. I’m afraid my blood pressure is about to blow like a Texas oil rig. My eyes search frantically up and down the first aisle, then again down the next aisle. And can you believe it friends and neighbors???? There is not ONE single solitary skein of yellow acrylic yarn. Again there are other flavors and variations, but not one plain yellow. Is it a conspiracy? Is there a yarn hoarder in Northern Colorado to blame for this deficit?
I’m in shock. I’m dumbfounded. I’m devistated. I am still without the yarn needed to finish Wow Wow Wubbzy.
Mar 20
KrisAttitude Attitude, health, life
Colonoscopy, EGD, Mammogram and MRI. I underwent ALL of those procedures yesterday. What does this have to do with crochet? Absolutely nothing. Unless I can offer that I’d rather have been crocheting all day instead. I’m at that point in life where certain procedures are recommended, and I was “guilted” into going. My wonderful husband took the day off work to hold my hand and offer reassurance and comedy when needed. I despise doing these things, but after giving birth and have sinus surgery several years ago, not much really scares me. I also find that if I don’t over-think something I really don’t want to do, it’s a little less stressful. I can work a thing to death in my mind. Fold, spindle, mutilate and totally warp it out of proportion. I’m an expert at making a mountain out of a mole hill. The anticipation of a thing becomes so much bigger than the thing..ya know? So I’ve decided to not think too much and just act. It is one of many items on an imaginary list that I’m making. Maybe I should get a notepad and start jotting things down. How do you defeat stressful situations? I’d love to hear your stories and who knows, maybe we can help eachother with some of the scary stuff we face every day.
Mar 09
KrisUncategorized
I have been unbelievably and unceremoniously dumped. By email no less. How callous is that? I got an email from Amazon that they had closed my associates account because of a Colorado law and taxes for online purchases. I have some hurt feelings but this isn’t really going to affect me financially. I became an affiliate a few years ago when I was doing a lot of my Christmas shopping online so I could save a few bucks here and there.
I don’t know if Amazon is trying to make a political statement or if Colorado lawmakers are digging for any and all revenue, whatever the cost to the residents of the state. People in Colorado can still order online from the company, but now any associate revenue will be earned by associates in other states.
Like I said, it’s not that big of a deal to me (other than feelings of rejection) but I wonder about those who actually makes a living through this type of advertising. How does having this pulled out from under them with absolutely no warning affect them? I am really concerned about this! I think this action probably affects small businesses, and folks like me who have a personal website and hope to offset the cost of a domain name each year. I haven’t even done that much with Amazon so I have no problem yanking every ad I have with them. The clencher in all of this? I just ordered a $400 vaccum from Amazon last Saturday. I should still get the 4% referral fee and I’ll try not to spend it all on one of my personal bills.
What do you think of this business practice? Leave a comment and share your thoughts!
Here is a copy of the email I received:
Dear Colorado-based Amazon Associate:We are writing from the Amazon Associates Program to inform you that the Colorado government recently enacted a law to impose sales tax regulations on online retailers. The regulations are burdensome and no other state has similar rules. The new regulations do not require online retailers to collect sales tax. Instead, they are clearly intended to increase the compliance burden to a point where online retailers will be induced to “voluntarily” collect Colorado sales tax — a course we won’t take.We and many others strongly opposed this legislation, known as HB 10-1193, but it was enacted anyway. Regrettably, as a result of the new law, we have decided to stop advertising through Associates based in Colorado. We plan to continue to sell to Colorado residents, however, and will advertise through other channels, including through Associates based in other states.There is a right way for Colorado to pursue its revenue goals, but this new law is a wrong way. As we repeatedly communicated to Colorado legislators, including those who sponsored and supported the new law, we are not opposed to collecting sales tax within a constitutionally-permissible system applied even-handedly. The US Supreme Court has defined what would be constitutional, and if Colorado would repeal the current law or follow the constitutional approach to collection, we would welcome the opportunity to reinstate Colorado-based Associates.You may express your views of Colorado’s new law to members of the
General Assembly and to
Governor Ritter , who signed the bill.Your Associates account has been closed as of March 8, 2010, and we will no longer pay advertising fees for customers you refer to
Amazon.com after that date. Please be assured that all qualifying advertising fees earned prior to March 8, 2010, will be processed and paid in accordance with our regular payment schedule. Based on your account closure date of March 8, any final payments will be paid by May 31, 2010.We have enjoyed working with you and other Colorado-based participants in the Amazon Associates Program, and wish you all the best in your future.
Best Regards,The Amazon Associates Team
Older Entries
RSS
