Back to the program

   In my attempt to create at least one item per day (striving for 4 though), I have fallen short.  I came upon this hat pattern on Ravelry.com and can't seem to stop making them.  I don't want to stop making them.  I keep buying yarn in order to make another one in a new color.  I find the hat to be THAT beautiful.  After I have a stash of completed hats, I plan to embellish them further with flowers, bows, or some other girlifying items.
     At this time, I am still busy with cakes and other baked goods.  So, project time isn't as plentiful as I'd like.
     As I am not one to focus complete attention on any one project, there are a multitude of side side (yes, two sides) projects going on.  One room is getting a makeover in a big way on a small scale for my grandbabies.  I'm excited about what I have in mind for it and can't wait to see it completed.

Latest cake

This one managed to travel 7 hours, unassembled that is.  The pieces traveled as, the body (without arms/head/legs attached), the head, the arms, the board with feet in place (glued with royal icing).  There are items missing (like the band just below head(at top of body) and the arms were not in better proportion to the body BUT...BUT...I love the way it turned out and so did the birthday boy.
  With the exception of the required tier supports, it is completely edible. 
   The arms are constructed of royal icing pieces that were piped and flooded then stacked...fondant and royal icing accents added for detail.  The feet were made of sugar molded inside of mini loaf pans then details carved.  Details on body and head are fondant.  Camera lenses attached with spaghetti.  The body is comprised of 7" layers.  The head was carved from 1, 8x3 square. The body was wrapped in fondant (leaving the top of the body with a covering of buttercream only) and the head was covered with fondant separately and brushed with an Everclear and nu silver lustre dust mixture.

The Crocodile Stitch?

http://www.ravelry.com/designers/bonita-patterns

It's so whimsical and fun...much like the flapper dresses of the 20s.  I've yet to try it.  I'd like to use it to embellish some items I've got lined up.  This stitch is worked bottom up but two of my projects are made from the top down.  I KNOW there must be a way to incorporate this technique working a piece from the top down, I am having difficulty achieving success. I spent the last several hours trying to make my hands do what my mind thinks should be done. Any suggestions on how to work it from the top down?

Update: 

     I did it.  But, I know there is questionable activity going on under those 'scales'.  The froggy turns and slip stitching back to the starting point will not be seen as long as no one investigates :-)

Yarn giveaway!

This looks like it's a yarn to inspire! 

Vickie Howell for Caron - Magenta(ish) Stitch. Rock. Love Sheep(ish) yarn giveaway!  This is for three skeins of 70% acrylic, 30% wool yarn.

Enter here

http://www.allfreecrochet.com/sweeps/Magenta-ish-Stitch-Rock-Love-Sheep-ish-Vickie-Howell-Yarn-Giveaway

I'm always on the look for yarns that are easy to use (from project start to washability) as my projects are made primarily for the very young, very old, or homeless.  I am looking forward to trying this yarn.

What's cooking?