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Welcome

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Make yourself at home. Put your feet up. Grab your favorite beverage and prepare to enjoy the reads.
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Friday

California Cyclone Weather

January 4, 2008

We are being inundated. According to the weather channel, we are having hurricane force winds they are saying though I don't think that 75 mph counts, really. Trees are down everywhere. Half of Santa Cruz county is without power. (the trees fall on the power lines, especially up in the mountains). Two main highways are closed due to trees and lines down. The electric company has drawn their employees off the job as it is too dangerous to do repairs right now.


My neighborhood (and others nearby) are under flood warning. I live a few blocks from the Pajaro River. Even though there is a levee, it has been crossed over and flooded before. I was living here in early 80's when Watsonville was flooded.

So, I sit here. No car, sick, senile cat, and waiting for evacuation order. I hope not. Damn, I hope not. What a pain in the ass. Right now, lots of water in the yard as it can't soak in fast enough. That I can live with. Water seeping into the garage? Can't do anything about that right now, In two hours my housekeeper will be here and maybe we can get some stuff out of the way and block the garage front door where it is seeping through.

The most annoying thing is fever and not feeling well enough to handle this if I have to go somewhere. Kats is up in the bay area where they have closed one of the major bridges into SF. So, it is unlikely he can get here to be with me. Even the side roads are not passable.






North American Superstorm Complex

Saturday

Vintage Crochet Pattern Links For Laurie


Vintage Crochet
1930’s
1940’s
1950’s
1960’s
Dates Unknown













































































































































































































































































Thursday

My Celebrity Collage

I think this is hysterically funny! I don't even know who these celebrities are that I am supposed to resemble. Do you?





You can also get your own Celebrity collage, here.

Monday

New Treatment For Varicose Veins Uses Crochet Hooks

New Treatment For Varicose Veins Uses Crochet Hooks

ScienceDaily (2007-10-22) -- UCLA's chief of vascular surgery picks up size 7 crochet hooks from a fabric store -- not to make sweaters or scarves but to use in a new technique he has developed to treat varicose veins. Early results of the new outpatient procedure, called Light-Assisted Stab Phlebectomy, or LASP are encouraging. Over 250 patients at UCLA have undergone the procedure, designed to remove branch varicose veins in the thighs, calves, and ankles.

Sunday

Allergic to Pine Trees?

I'm so excited! I just got some new crochet jewelry from Laurie. I have been experimenting on photographing them. I want to show them off!

However, my photo talents seem to be limited. It's quite difficult to photograph jewelry, I am learning. I have these creative ideas, but am disappointed in the results. The whole picture doesn't stay in focus. So, I took the focused parts of the pictures and cropped them. And you are looking at the first results.



This necklace is like a Christmas present to me, so I hung it on my pine tree that is growing outside in my front yard. Suddenly, that tree stood up proud and embraced the idea of wearing this lovely decoration, and posed for me. But, maybe the necklace is allergic to pine trees. Or maybe it was just camera shy.

Saturday

Green Apple Necklace

Laurie has been producing crocheted items for more than 30 years. To look at her, you would never know she is a grandmother. She still has a few young ones of her own at home and yet, still finds time to put her inspired ideas into reality. Aren't her kids adorable. They look a little mischievous. How she can get any work done? It's a wonder to me. This woman is committed to her craft.


Something catches her eye and triggers her imagination, and suddenly she has another piece of art jewelry ready to rest upon someone's pretty neck.

Just take a look at this piece below. I think she calls it Green Apple. It does look luscious, doesn't it? The detail of the crochet design shows her craftsmanship, or would it be crafts-woman-ship? This piece is so feminine, without being frilly. And the natural theme to it, the leaves combined with green and gold, no wonder she likes to call it Green Apple. I'm sorry she already sold this one, as I sure would like to have it. Well, she takes special orders, so I guess I better let her know.

Young and old, alike seem to be attracted to her work. Men are impressed with the intricacy of her designs. In fact one gentleman ordered jewelry sets for his wife and daughter for a family holiday. The sets included necklace, bracelet and earrings. For the daughter, there was also an anklet.


Did I tell you these are all her own designs, which she has copyrighted? Oops, I forgot. Didn't I? Yes, I'm pushing it, aren't I?

Did I tell you that in the past she has crafted fun-to-wear skirts and shirts, exquisite christening gowns, and would you believe, even crochet swimwear (mostly bikinis). I kid you not! They were all hot items at the boutiques in her area of Southern California. She has been quite diverse in creating wearable art. Wouldn't you say?

I have seen her working on a gothic piece that was purchased by a lovely young orange-haired woman. It was designed in black Marcasite and went well with her style. Laurie is quite diverse in her creativity.

Tuesday

Grape Harvest Festival Crochet Jewelry

I just heard from Laurie today. How exciting this is going to be! She tells me that she will be presenting her handmade crochet jewelry for sale at the Rancho Cucamonga Grape Harvest Festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 28, 29 & 30!!! I wish I could be there.

Laurie is so talented. I'm so proud of her! The first time I ever saw her hand crocheted jewelry, I was so surprised. I had never seen anything like it before. Oh, I know what you're thinking, but this is NOT your granny's kind of crochet. Laurie's crochet jewelry is ART you can wear on your neck or wrist or... well you get the picture.

This lovely piece is such simplicity of design. You know what's really nice about this too? My sister could wear it without a problem. She is allergic to all jewelry, except pure gold. With no metal on this, it's perfect for those with nickel allergies. Laurie made this on for me. I get so many compliments on it when I wear it. It reminds me of midnight. The dark glass beads have a shimmer to them like black pearls, and the crystals remind me of moonstones. I love it!

It is interesting to know that Laurie started to crochet when she was just a little girl. She took to it naturally and has been doing it ever since. I remember when she was in her teens, and her talent in crochet brought her attention not only among her friends, but with their parents too. Soon her crochet talent soared. She taught herself how to make all kinds of decorative items, and as the years have gone by she developed her own personal style of creative art jewelry. Laurie's unique style expresses her motto perfectly... "Fierce, Feminine, Fun!"

Monday

Crochet Jewelry Art


You can go just about anywhere and pick up an ordinary piece of jewelry but you cannot find this type of jewelry art anywhere. My daughter, Laurie, takes exotic threads and beads (and just about anything) and creates her one of a kind masterpieces. Never are two the same. She has a vision and a passion for her crochet jewelry art. She can take anyone's old jewelry and magically weave it into a necklace or bracelet so that you can have your grandmother's vintage cameo pin in a new setting and wear it, bringing it back to life again.

Laurie uses linen, rayon, silk, polyester and other types of threads to work her beads into. She chooses those beads right from the source... glass, crystal, semi-precious stones, buttons.... you name it.