Race for the Cure - Granny's Gang

This weekend I had the privilege to participate in the Race for the Cure in Tulsa, OK. My Grandmother is currently going through chemo treatment for Breast Cancer so we thought what better way to encourage her and others than to participate in this event. We have 15 family members and a few friends come out early Saturday morning for Granny's Gang. The weather was beautiful not to hot and little humidity which can be rare in Oklahoma. We all participated in different ways. My cousin loves to run so he did the timed 5K. Several of them did the un-timed 5K and most all of us did the 1K.

If you'd like to find out more how you can participate you can visit Susan G. Komen for the Cure Website. There will be an upcoming Race for the Cure Event in Oklahoma City, OK on Oct 9th.

Here are some fun photos from our day!

Ayden holding a Fan (like his hot pink hair? ) 

Calleigh & I waiting for our 1K race

My family! - Yes I'll claim my cousin( the one in the mohawk and hot pants )  

Some friends Shelia and Melody hugging Granny before the 5K un-timed

Ayden Enjoying some Ice cold water

Calleigh watching the race!

This is 4 Generations My Mom, Me Calleigh and my Grandmother!

It was a wonderful day and I hope it encouraged my Grandmother and the thousands of other that were there! She has 1 more Chemo treatment and is doing well so far. If you can't run or walk for the cure you can always find a way to support. It's as easy as buying  yogurt with the pink lids and mailing them in.

OKC State Fair 2010

I love the fair it has so many great memories for me. It's even more fun now that I have kiddos to take with me. I love seeing their reactions to the animals and fair food. This morning started early with my piano lessons at the college and the minute I went to pick up Ayden from daycare he said "momma - FAIR!" and he said it al the way home which thankfully is only a few blocks away :)

We had a blast looking at the cows, chickens, goats, bunnies and pigs.

We decided to go wild and try something new for us fried oreos! I thought they were gross. I think I'll stick to corn dogs and funnel cake.

Calleigh liked them but I think it made her tummy sick. 

this was Ayden's reactions to the oreo at first! it was hilarious but he like it after all.

We wore them out good! 

What a fun day! 

a great find for a yarn addict

This has been a busy week with getting back into the grind of teaching Piano Lesson and filling orders. On Thursdays it tradition that my Mother in Law watches the kids. I love it because it's currently a day off for my hubby so we make the most of spending the entire day together kiddless. The Fair was in town this week so he had a fun date planned and it was a blast.

Afterward we decided to try a few thrift shops.We're not usually thrift store shoppers but as a crafter you have to see what great finds you can get once in a while. So we stopped into our local Goodwill to have a look. Didn't see much and then I noticed about 8 bags full of 4-5 skeins of random yarn.  I usually pass it up but these had current labels and prices still on. There were some great tweeds, hand dyed yarn, and most of it I'd never heard of. After a little research most of it was from over in Europe. I don't know much about any of it but I love that I get to try some new yarn that I wouldn't normally purchase. Most of it was marked 8.99-14.99 so it's yarn I would not usually purchase and I only paid $4.00 for all of it. That make my husband happy :)

This first pic includes the hand dyed yarn (green) the purple are from Japan and the variegated purple one is lovely. The others are just basic colors but it's still good yarn.

the pastel colored yarn and variegated blue is super soft and from Germany, The ivory looked american from the label but wasn't sure. The purple sparkle yarn is Mohair and tiny but I think it will make some gorgeous flowers. 

This yarn is from the UK - Jo Sharp. I loved the tweeds which are super popular for winter and then there were 3 skeins of grey alpaca silk blend.

I don't know much about yarn so they may be pretty common but I thought these were great and I can't wait to try some new things with them. 

Artfire Artistans

I recently joined a new facebook fan group started by Karen S. with O. Sebastian called Artfire Artistans. It's a fabulous group for those of us with Artfire shops. They promote each other and we make collections of each others work. Collections are like treasuries on Etsy. Come join the fun!

I though I'd share the Collections I've been included in so far. Thanks so much for all of you that have included my work! I will be returning the favor very soon.

* More of My Favorite Things
* Black & White Zebra Collection
* That's Using Your Hands
* I'm Looking for Something Red - Take 2
* Rays of Sunshine

Goblin Crochet Creation

I was recently asked to do a very different custom order. It was a crochet goblin hat for a cute little boy to wear for Halloween. I get nervous working outside my patterns but I was pretty proud that I came up with this after a few trial and errors :) She supplied a few pictures and it was up to me to do the rest. I wasn't really sure how I was going to get the ears to stand up but after shaping and tacking it down in just right places I got it.

Here is the little cutie in the hat! I just love it! Thank you to Maria for supplying us with a photo!

Please don't steal, download, copy this photo in any way shape or form.This was used with permission from Gossamer Memories Photography

Maria makes custom photo & decorative paper jewelry and takes fabulous photos as you can see! Check out her Facebook Page - Gossamer Scapes or her Etsy Shop and tell her I send you. She was a pleasure to do business and hope to return the favor soon!

Never Forget - It Has Always Been A Soldier

It's day's like this you can play back over and over in your mind and remember every detail. I know exactly where I was and how that day changed America. I just thought I'd share my personal story from that day. 

I was in my 2nd year at Heartland Baptist Bible College pursuing my Music Degree. I was on my way to my Conducting Class with  Bro. Floyd. A friend of mine Danny (who is a jokester) said " I just heard that a plane crashed in a a building" I thought to myself that's not very funny.  It wasn't until I walked into the admin building and noticed a TV in the room. (Mind you here there aren't generally televisions on campus). As I watched the scene unfold it only got worse as we all know. I went on to our small class and we just cried and prayed for our Country for that hour. Things like this just bring you closer together. 

In all my shock I'd forgotten by my parents were on a plan that day. They were taking a trip up to Washington from Tulsa. I freaked out when I couldn't reach them and thought of all days to fly this would happen . All I know is that they didn't fly back. They drove back and that's a long drive. I'm just thankful for God's protection. 

I'm not good with words but I love this song. It brings me to tears every time our church choir sings it! 

This isn't us singing it but a great version. I thought it appropriate with the post to Honor our Servicemen and Women here and abroad. Please take a minute and listen. I think it will be a blessing! 

It Has Always Been A Soldier

American Girl Adventure

For the past few months I'd contemplated going in another new direction with my crochet. I thought it would be fun to make clothing and accessories for 18 inch dolls. I hadn't had the chance to try it until a friend emailed me and asked if I'd like to make some crochet doll hats for the clothing they make to sell. So that sparked the adventure. So far I've just made the hats I already do in smaller sizes. It's been good practice for me to think outside a pattern.

I needed a doll and wasn't about to pay $100 plus for a doll so I research from cheaper options but still wanted good quality. I found at target there version of American Girl called Our Generation Dolls. I though it was perfect and a fourth of the price. There are other options if you really want it less than $25.00. I found one similar at Ross for 17.99 and I was told you can get them a Michael's for less if you use a 40% off coupon that comes around regularly. I didn't see them at my local stores though.

My main goal right now is to promote Made to Match hats. One for girls and a matching one for her doll. My Facebook Fan already are loving the idea. I can't wait to try out some clothing too! There are already lots of free patterns for American Girl Dolls. Cobblers Cabin is just one site that has some cute patterns. I liked her Winter accessories Patterns  and see has plenty more.

Here are just a few pics of what I've made so far:

Mariposa "butterfly" Beanie

Swirly Shell Beanie

This last picture is our new adopted model. Her name on the box is Sandie but we're having a Re-Name Contest over on our Facebook Fan Page.  Just Visit this picture of her on facebook for rules. The winner will be chosen on Random.org and will win a Made to Match doll hat on there next hat purchase or 15% off. So come join the fun! This will run till Thursday Sept 16th at midnight and I'll pick a winner the following Friday.

Snow White Cluster Beanie with Pink Flower 

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.


I've seen several people do this and I thought I'd give this a go to change thing up a bit

1. I did not just feed my kids pop corn for breakfast this morning no not me!

2. I did not through the laundry in the garage/laundry room so I wouldn't have to look at it because I just need to go get soap. No not me!

3. I didn't stay up late every night last week crocheting even though it was the my first week back teaching piano and I had to get up at 5:45. No not me!

4. I didn't dress my kids in there clothes for the next day at bed time so I could just get them up and drop them off at daycare. no not me!

Hope you enjoy! My list - why not make your own :)

Fall is in the air...

It's been a beautiful day outside! I recently found this adorable owl fabric and quickly made up a pillowcase style dress for my Calleigh. Of course she needed a matching hat! Since it was beautiful we snapped a few shots outside. 

If you interested in a dress or hat I can definitely make more! These have already been a great seller for fall. I can make hats in lots of other colors too! Design your own in anysize nb- adult ! I love to customize!

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Lives Remembered

*This is more of a personal post but I hope it can be a blessing to you! 

As school has begun for lots of teachers and students I'm reminded of the teachers in the past I've had that have made an impact on my life. Two come to mind aside from my Mother that home schooled me for many years and from my junior high and high school days.  They are Floyd Schexnayder and Michael "Coach" Thomas. I don't have time to tell their life stories but they are both amazing men with some pretty awesome life stories and testimonies. I guess sometimes you just take for granted people go on forever but one day in an instant they are gone. Bro. Floyd passed in Jan 2008 and Coach passed away yesterday.

These men truly impacted not only my life but lives of countless others. Not only were they great teachers but you could always confide in them and know they would tell it like it is but with lots of love as if you were there own daughters and son.

I have the privilege to teach piano at the College they were teachers at and I think of them both often and what a privilege it was to know them. I am a Christian and one day I know I will see them in Heaven. It gives me hope and peace. If you don't know the Lord Jesus and have questions I'd be happy to help. I know I couldn't live life without him.

Even if you don't know the family of "Coach" Thomas - Please pray for his sweet wife Sue Thomas. She has some disabilities and life definitely won't be the same with out her husband right at her side.

If you'd like to read more about these wonderful men there are facebook groups dedicated to them. It will only encourage you with all the sweet comments people are leaving!

Praying for "Coach" Thomas and In Memory of Floyd Schexnayder

Who was your favorite teacher(s) and why?

ah memories

Want a late night laugh:

The Inner Hooker is having a back to school photo contest. My kiddos aren't in school yet so I thought why not submit an old photo of me. My mom uploaded this embarrassing photo to facebook once so why not share it again to make you smile. It's from the late 80s I would guess I was 7 or 8.

Got to love the suspenders and my tightly permed short hair cut. Oh and if only you could see that shirt up close (lots of colors bright colors) Good Memories!

Come join the fun and vote for me here please!

You'll need to become a fan of The Inner Hooker - she has fantastic crochet patterns. I think I'm close to having most of them. So I would say I love them : ) Please don't just "like" the picture (they don't count) type "vote" in the comments sections. Thanks so much!