Thanks! 

Thank you!  It was definitely one of the most popular Crochet-Alongs from Crochetville's boards. 

Thanks so much for all of the compliments. You are all too kind! 

I have to go back and edit the post...I phrased my words wrong because I had no intention of suggesting that I "made" the skirt (as in, wrote the pattern).  I did NOT make the pattern.

I participated in the Crochet-Along and used the pattern that was provided by a very talented lady from the Crochetville boards.

Thought I should clarify that...off to edit my words.  Guess that's what happens when I start posting like a mad woman.  Must proofread more often.

Thank you! 

[ryepie]

ryepie :  Thank you! Yeah, some people were a little too creeped out to eat them.   

k8thagr8 :  So true...LOL! Thanks for the kind words.

[adyldrop]

Each and every one of your kinds words have totally made my day!  Thank you so much! 

adyldrop : Thank you!

green r my tear$ :  You're soooo sweeet.  I can only hope the recipients of the gifts are half as appreciative. 

BoxOfRocks:  Thank you for the kudos.  The blanket is called "Sweet Dreams" and can be found in "A Year Of Afghans 1999" by Leisure Arts

Aelita :  Yeah, I love being the favorite "Auntie" so I'd better keep churning out the crocheted goods huh?  Great bribes...hee hee!   I got the pattern from the Coats and Clark site.  Here's the link:  http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/BabyChild/LC1391+Sitting+Pretty.htm

aliz:  My thoughts exactly!  As I was crocheting the shoes I kept squealing at how cute they were turning out.  Needless to say all of these babies are seriously making my biological clock go into overdrive.  LOL!

[Knichole]

Thank you all for the wonderful compliments...I'm blushing!  As for the questions about the patterns I'll answer each one and edit my post to include it with the pics.

Knichole: I got the Granny MAM pattern from Annie's Attic Free Pattern of The Day site.  It was featured twice so there's a possibility they'll post it again.  Check the site everyday because they might re-post it.

http://www.anniesattic.com/free_pattern_day/index.html

Here are the particulars for the pattern if you want to try eBay or other sources:  Vineyard in The Valley From Crochet for Caring and Sharing Pages 46-47 copyright 2004. Designed by Anne Halliday

BoxOfRocks & dinkems : Your wish is my command!  I am a jienee after all right?  Lame attempt at humor...heh heh!  Here's the PDF file for the pattern.  It's called "Chocolate Dreams Afghan" and the square size is actually 16" with 12 squares making up the whole afghan.  Enjoy!

PATTERN LINK: www.spatulagraphics .com/HnC/ChocolateDreams.pdf

BoxOfRocks: Forgot to mention that the center squares were made using the same pattern as the outer squares.  I just used two colors to add some dimension.

MonkeyThumb : The granny square afghan measured 50.5" x 69.5".  The finished dimensions for the chain afghan was supposed to be 48" x 66" but it came out a little shy of that (didn't take a final measurement).

Also, the strips are made in two layers...the first is with a row of repeating shells then the outer layer is crocheted in rounds around the shell row so there's no initial chain.

Talk about having flashbacks...I too tackled a queen-sized granny afghan a while back so I definitely feel your pain.  LOL!  Hang in there...the extra time and labor you're putting into it will make your afghan all the more special.

A little late posting this but I made this spider shaped cheeseball from Kraft Kitchens for Halloween.  The recipe says to use sliced olives for the eyes but I thought using a couple dabs of red icing gel would give the spider more of an evil appeal. 

One thing about the recipe...as with all poppy seed recipes, I found that they were great for adding crunch and texture but they were getting stuck in people's teeth...hee hee!

CHEESY SPIDER RECIPE:
http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/recipes/RecipePFTraditional?recipe_id=84241

Halloween's a big deal at our house so it has become a tradition for me to bake the "Great Pumpkin Cake" from the Kraft Kitchens website.  This was the first year that I brought out one of Martha Stewart's recipes in an attempt to replicate one of her best spooktacular cookie recipe ever.  It was originally called "Severed Fingers with Cari" but they've renamed it to "Ladies Fingers".  I was quite happy with the final results...the almond fingernails were a little too realistic for me.  Creepy!   

PUMPKIN CAKE RECIPE:
http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/recipes/RecipePFTraditional?recipe_id=87640

FINGER COOKIES RECIPE:
http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.aced15a43a1d10e593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=98f7a6a90e0f4110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=7de20eb74ce5f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=print&rsc=articleheading_food&lnc=5a79cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD&page=1

[JACKET & BONNET]

This past year there has been a surge of babies that have come into my life courtesy of family, friends and casual acquaintances.  The baby madness has re-ignited my passion for crochet so with hook in hand, I stitched up some goodies for the wee ones.

My cousin's the proud new mommy to a precious little princess so I had to do my part and spoil her rotten with as many frills, lace and pink I could fit into the patterns.  Here's a few highlights of what's been created so far. 

Baby Shower Gift Set:
JACKET & BONNET:  FamilyCircle Easy Crochet Spring 2007. Design by Michelle Wilcox
BLANKET: "Sweet Dreams" from "A Year of Afghans" Published by Leisure Arts c.1999




Vintage pattern I got from the internet.  It's so delicate and frilly.  Perfect for a little girl.



Pink Smock for Baby
PATTERN LINK:  http://www.shotzies.com/crafts/article56.php





Coats & Clark's LC1391 Sitting Pretty:  I prefer to call it the "Cotton Candy" Dress...for some reason the pink and white just reminds of cotton candy. 

PATTERN LINK:http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/BabyChild/LC1391+Sitting+Pretty.htm




First pair of button-strap shoes: T-Strap Booties designed by Yvonne Healy

PATTERN LINK:  Sign up for a free account at http://www.freepatterns.com
Go to the "Crochet" page - followed by the Wearables - Children's Clothing links where you'll find the pattern on page 2.




Granny Yoke Dress Designed by Valerie Moffitt
The pattern called this a "4 Hour" dress but it took me much longer than that...all those annoying ends to weave in!  Oh well, it was worth the effort.

PATTERN: Sign up at http://www.freepatterns.com
Then click on these pages:  Crochet - Children's Corner - For Baby.  Pattern is on page 1.



I love these buttons...the details always count right?


The pattern just called for a crocheted chain for the tie but I wanted something a little thicker so I knitted an i-cord instead.  I think it worked out ok.



I made this gift set for some friends of my parents who were expecting (and welcomed into the world) a little girl:

BLANKET:  Naptime Granny Blanket Design by Anne Halliday
Leisure Arts Little Books - SNUGGLETIME BABY AFGHANS c1998
- I bought it from one of the clearance bins in the crafts section at Wal-Mart...excellent finds if you're willing to dig through the clutter.

BOOTIES:  From http://www.freepatterns.com

DRESS & BONNET: Little Cherub Set from Soft & Sweet Art. J16 - Book 0136 Published by Coats & Clark c 2001