Had to fix the poncho!

 

I took apart my poncho... I had really made good progress. But, I noticed last night the top area was too big. Yes, I should have checked earlier. I guess I need to check standing up not sitting on the coach. I've learned over the years to stop, take apart and do it correctly. I removed 2 squares from the top area and I am working on closing the seam and trying on for size before I start the rows below. I think I took out at least 18 rows. I know once this if finished, I will be happy.

I am really pushing my baseball and softball stuff via social media. If you see my posts, please share... I appreciate it! Looking forward to another great baseball and softball flower season! click on the cap photo above or click here to go to my store! If I see you share on my Facebook, Twitter or Instagram posts... I will put you into a drawing for something in my online store California Stitches! You can also pin from my Pinterest! Well, this afternoon is dragging... I need to get home to relax and crochet on my poncho! 

Simple Saturday - Granny Square Poncho!

It's a lazy simple Sunday. I started this Granny Square Poncho last night. The hardest part is picking the colors. I'm about 1/3 of the way through... I am hoping to finish tomorrow and wear on Monday! Soon this will be available in my store!

I made this crochet cell phone holder a few nights ago. I love my new iPhone 6 Plus but I don't like the lint from my sweatshirt pocket that gets on the screen. So, I thought I would crochet something simple. Turns out I needed a cotton lining since the cotton crochet thread is a little fuzzy.

This little holder well its actually kind of long is perfect! I will decorate with a cut crochet flower. Oh well maybe a few flowers and some leaves. We'll see.

So it's that time of year again... baseball and softball flip flop flowers! I sold over 1300 last year... lets see how many are shipped out this year! Add these to your flip flops. Clips on backside make them easy to swap out! 

Courtney made some Nestle Toll House cookie bars today. As you can see, this is all that is left. They were delicious! Baked potatoes in the oven for a simple and easy dinner. Everyone can pick their own toppings!  Well that's it for now... I need to get back to my crochet!

Granny Square Project Bag

I love when I complete a project. I love this Granny Square Project Bag! It took me a while to figure out what colors I wanted to use and what style of squares to make. Once I figured that out I started making squares like crazy. Once I made all of the squares and joined them together, I then stopped for a few days. Not sure I like what I had put together. 

 

I then started a sweater. I finished the back of the sweater and then realized I had used a hook that was one size too large. So I took the back of the sweater apart and then went back to working on my bag. I figured I better finish the bag. I had already purchased the really cool fabric for the lining.

I like things that a little bit different so I thought I would make the two straps different colors. Why not. Let's be colorful! 

I did make a nice neat pile of the pieces of yarn that I snipped off after cleaning up all of the squares. Even the pile looks kind of pretty! I was doing all of this last night while watching The Bachelor on TV with my kids. Then I started to measure and cut the lining to make it all fit neatly. I sat at my sewing machine and put it all together. I think it came out nicely. I really love the lining. And by putting the interfacing, my bag is able to stand up alone. That is a fantastic plus!

Perfect size, not to big, just right. I am really happy with final results of my project bag! I will use today at the soccer game tonight so I can start my sweater again using the correct size hook. And of course this bag will be great at the baseball games which will start next month. I have a baseball square that I will be adding to the bag. Actually, a square for every holiday and every season. Maybe even one with an initial. That accessory square will be added tonight. I will update this post with a new pic!

Well, now on to the sweater! And I am thinking this pattern will be available in my store and maybe the finished version!

Relaxing at home...

Over the last 3 years I always buy a regular over the counter planner. And then I end up buying an Erin Condren Planner. The photo above is the planner I think I will order with my name on it of course! I love the colors on each page of the planner. So cheery! Regular planners are colorful too but you cannot write in pen because it will show up on the backside which messes up the next day. Ugh! So I will be ordering this planner tomorrow. I have looked over the cover choices and this is my decision... well, as of today. I may change it tomorrow when I place my order!

If you have an Erin Condren planner, I am sure you love it. I know they are not cheap but they are well worth it! If you think you may want to order one of these planners... click on the Erin Condren link to the right of my page. That is my referral link. Once you click the link you will be asked to create an account. Then you can shop and enjoy looking through all of her totally colorful items! It's crazy!

You can also click this link here:

https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/cherierocamora0611

I love fresh squeezed orange juice! We have two orange trees and they are producing oranges right now! I'm getting my kids into drinking orange juice every morning. I bought a juicer last year which is so easy to use! This weekend I will be making orange flavored recipes. I am even thinking of making some orange marmalade. 

I did make some french toast last weekend with orange juice added to it. Yummy! I thinking I need to make this tomorrow morning as well! Maybe for dinner tonight! I spoke with my friend this morning and she was telling me about a new pub! I'm in! After the soccer game tonight... maybe! 

I started a new crochet project. I am making a sweater for myself. I am so far happy with the results of 30 rows. I am looking forward to wearing this sweater because the yarn is very soft so I know it will be comfortable to wear! 

I'm getting ready for the baseball season since it is right around the corner. My son has school workouts right now at the high school and he will be playing in a tournament this coming weekend at Twin Creeks! It's been a little over a month since I have seen a baseball game. Can't wait. I am also stocking my online store California Stitches with plenty of baseball accessories for all sports moms! Stop on by and check it out! I'm currently offering a pre season sale on baseball and softball fan items!

Christmas is over!

Christmas is finally over. I felt it went by too quickly. I didn't get to enjoy it! My son made this gingerbread house. Looks great! I think we will start to eat this tomorrow. Why not!

 Two days before Christmas I decided that I would take Chase and Courtney to Penn Valley, California on Christmas Eve. I got off work early so we officially left Fresno around 1:47pm. We arrived at Tio Albert and Tia Virginia's house about 5:25pm. Pretty good driving if I say so myself! Not a lot of traffic but it did rain a few times during our travel. Especially in Auburn. It's kind of hard to drive through stormy weather if you really don't know the area. So the photo about is a screen shot of all of us talking to our cousins in Australia. My cousin Gina is there with her family and my Nina is visiting. It's warm over there... they are on holiday! We had a great time at my Tio and Tia's. We then spent the night at my parents in Roseville and then headed home early in the morning so I could have enough time to get the tamales started for Christmas dinner at my house that evening.

I have been relaxing Friday, Saturday and today... crocheting. I totally needed those days to myself. I've just been so busy. I made these beanies and these had a pom pom. I bought a new gadget to make pom poms... why didn't I purchased one of these 20 years ago? 

It is now Sunday and I am already thinking about work. On Christmas Eve during my long drive to Penn Valley, I was getting calls from customers and the major home improvement store we work with. Craziness is all I can say. Some of they guys who work for us just don't get how important it is to follow through and communicate. so when they don't, I have to deal with it.  My job is stressful. Oh well. 

I am looking forward to 2015. I am making some changes... a lot of changes. I think it's going to be a good year.

Chow

Fall Holiday is coming...

Homemade peach pancakes with pecans for breakfast. Delicious! I have finally realized that it takes until Sunday later afternoon for me to be relaxed and rested from work. Too much stress during the week. I feel great right now! Relaxed today watching Food Network and making homemade potato soup for dinner. Of course it's a Pioneer Woman Potato Soup recipe. I always turn to her recipes because I know they will be delicious and easy. And yes, it was easy and delicious! 

I've been trying to figure out what planner to purchase. For the last few years I have used an Erin Condren Lifetime Planner. I love these planners! If you are interested in one, click the planner pic or click here. You will be asked to created an account then you need to click the Lifetime Planner tab. Believe me... it will take you awhile to figure out which one you like. And then, you will have to figure out what personalization you want. I haven't been able to choose my design yet so it's iCloud calendar for now. At least it will sink to my iPad, macbook and my iPhone. That will work for now. If you do decide to get a fabulous Erin Condren planner... please note it will take 3-4 weeks to arrive. 

Until I decide which color and design I want, I loaded all of my work appointments into the calendar on iCloud. This works good right now because again I am having a hard time deciding! Oh and the new planners allow for additional covers to be purchased. That is awesome! I am a gemini and tend to change my mind frequently. Well a few times a day. It's just so hard to made a decision!

I love colorful bracelets! I added these friendship bracelets to my shop today. I just think it so neat to be able to add a little color to our daily wear. I like these because they don't have any time of glass or stone so they don't make noise when I am working at my desk at work. I can stack these with different color tones. 

So simple. Well, now off to my yarn stash. I need to start making some Christmas presents! I am thinking caps/beanies or scarves. Not sure yet. That's my problem... I cannot make up my mind!

Well... tomorrow is Monday, another day at work. It will be a short week so I am really relieved and excited! I'm looking forward to Wednesday when my Nina arrives for a short visit then Thanksgiving. I will be cooking again and then relaxing Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I sure hope I get Friday off. I think after working full time for years... I might just get it off. Fantastic! I am hoping to post every 2 or 3 days on my blog so stay tuned!

It's only Tuesday?

Over the weekend I was a few hours away from home at a baseball showcase. Perfect atmosphere for catching up on some crocheting. This was the last baseball event of the season until January so I will be crocheting and knitting at home. I have to admit, it was beautiful weather on Saturday but very cold on Sunday morning. I did finish this piece over the weekend but was not happy with the outcome. I will remake the piece a little longer. Darn I hate when that happens.

These seem like interesting colors. I've used the top left and the bottom left before for beanies. I might have to give another try at some different style of beanies. Some sort of slouch. Since the colors are already there... no need to add cables or anything. Something new will be added to my shop this week... stop by and check it out. Click on the Shop link above.

Doesn't this bread look delicious. It is and it is really easy to make. I am thinking this cold weather is soup weather. I made chicken lime soup the other night and albondigas soup last week... so maybe a potato soup next. Yes, potato soup it is. Yummy! Well, I better get on my Thanksgiving meal shopping list. This year I will try a new side dish. I am thinking brussel sprouts with bacon or something like that. Well... now back to work. Ugh!

Monday...

I have a new favorite beverage. It's not cheap so I buy it only to treat myself every once in awhile. So delicious! I usually buy on my shopping trips to Whole Foods. I usually head over to Whole Foods when I am looking for an unusual ingredient for a recipe.

This past weekend we were in Santa Clara for the Fall State Nationals with the Marlin's U16 team.  Our team won the championship game! My son Chase pitched 6 innings in the semifinal game helping to get the team to the championship game! The guys seemed to have fun during the weekend. We won all of our games! So, more baseball this weekend but I'm happy to say it's in town. I can do some gardening in between games. Maybe some pizza and beer too with new friends! The photo above is my son getting his trophy and his championship t-shirt. It's been awhile since he's received a trophy! 

This is another new favorite that I picked up at Bevmo on Friday after work. Fireside Chat Winter Spiced Ale. It has 7.9% alcohol. I love it, it taste great and enough alcohol so I don't have to drink a lot of beers to relax. One actually did the trick! You've gotta try it.

My youngest daughter is my model. Here she is modeling my slouch camo beanie. I think it's because I love her black and green glasses. She's perfect to model my handmade beanies and hats. She may not be a fan of all the styles but no complaints from her putting them on. Oh and I am very proud of my model... she has a 4.0 on her progress report! Way to go Courtney! Woot Whoot!

I love to knit too. This is a knit slouch beanie with a tribal pattern. I love patterns in my handmade items. Takes a little more time but it's worth the look! This one is available on my bigcartel site. You can also click the shop button here on my blog to start shopping! I am knitting every night to add new and exciting styles to my knit and crochet line on my websites. Well that's it for now... make it a great week!

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Shop Online!

Lots of fun winter accessories! I've sold many beard beanies over the past few years. They are a great present to give to men during the holiday's! I'm adding new types of beanies and caps for women and teens. Fun designs with nice textures... some chunky. I love crocheting and knitting during the cooler months. I have no desire to knit or crochet with yarn laying on my lap during 100+ weather!

Two website so shop... the one above and the one linked to my blog here. Plenty of choices at both online shops! Let me make something for you!

The days are getting shorter...

 I'm back in the crochet groove. Oh hooks, it's been awhile. I'm starting to make some beanies to get ready for the cold weather gift giving selling season. I can't wait to see how this online selling season is going to be. I know every year I get so busy that I have a hard time enjoying the holidays. This year I'm getting ready early and getting some items made to stock my online store. I have a lot of yarn at home so it's beanie time! I've set up a new store on Ebay for my crochet and knit winter accessories. I am hoping it does well this selling season.

I'm sitting here thinking about my homemade biscotti. Should I make some now? They sure look delicious! No, I'm tired from work so no baking tonight. Too much good TV tonight. I'm really liking that show How to get away with murder and Scandal. Since it's getting darker earlier, there is more tv watching and crocheting. Love it.

I'm ready to tackle all of the bearded beanie orders from my online store. I'm going to start making a bunch to get ahead this year. After Christmas, my fingers just about fall off. I'm serious.

Anyways, I promise to post at least once per week.  I will be posting a delicious recipe, a free DIY craft, and a collection on photos from the week.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend... it's homecoming week so football game tomorrow night! Both my kids are in skits for their classes.

Old Desk Studios

It's Friday!

I'm liking the way this is turning out! Size 17 knitting needles. Great texture! It's going to be a knitted cowl. Yeah.. I'm knitting again. I had to give the crochet hooks a rest!

A hat ready for shipping!

Pilaf... Thanks to my friend Cheryl for the recipe!

20% Off

20% off In my Etsy Shop. Use coupon code HOLIDAYSALE 

http://www.dishandstitch.etsy.com

Saturday...

Thinking about what I am going to crochet or knit this morning. Most importantly, my coffee starts the day. It's been a long stressful week. I am now working 4 hours per day at my job. The reduction in hours is not my idea. This is something that I have to adjust to and I'm not liking it financially. I am sending out resumes to find something to fill in the afternoon hours or maybe something to take the place of that job. I say that job because it's been a long year at that job. So,with that being said... I am looking maybe for new beginnings? 

I have been trying to focus on my Etsy Shop this week. I've been busy making cowls and infinity scarves. It's getting cold out so these are perfect for the season! 

Of course the bearded beanies have been big sellers the past few years. I sell the pattern or I make them. I'm hoping to sell a lot of these again this year. So comfy and warm! 

Of course I will use one of these for the upcoming soccer games! I'm excited, my daughter Courtney made Varsity! She's worked really hard and it's paid off. I know last year it was freezing out at the games!

We'll... Time to get busy!  Happy Saturday everyone!

Relaxing but handmade busy weekend ...

So this weekend I was busy making beard beanies. These are camo beanies which have been a big seller so far this year.Yesterday after the soccer game I came home and crocheted all day while watching SOA season one on Netflix. I took a break so I could watch Revenge on ABC. Then back to Netflix. Now on to season 2. I am beginning to understand this show now.  

Individually packages and ready for large envelopes. 

Don't these look delicious! I dropped Couetney off at practice on Saturday morning and had to stop by Vallarta market to pick up some sweet breads. Oh yes, they were yummy!

I can remember when I was young... My mom would often buy some of these candies. Nope, didn't buy any. Too sweet!

I love being able to stay home on the weekends. I love to cook. I made albondigas soup and homemade tortillas. Delicious!

Went to Courtney's soccer game on Sundy morning... Great job Fusion!

Of course I had my crochet with me. I don't leave my house without my work in progress basket!

Of course another stop by Vallarta market to get some more sweet breads. I ate one while watching the game. So this week should be busy at work. The shop is getting items completed this week for a trade show in Florida. 

Make it a great week! I'm busy with orders fromy Etsy Shop! It's the holiday shopping season!

 

Cherie