2017 Easter Bunnies Have Been Born!

Hello dear friends.  Sorry that I haven't written lately; I just returned last night from a fun trip with my family.  Hopefully next week, I will share some of the photos from this get away.

Can you believe that Easter is just around the corner?  Time goes by so fast these days.  As you may know, I have two little grandchildren now and it's been my custom to make an Easter bunny for them  each year.

   

Presenting Flora and Flopsy . . . Flora is made out of a chunky acrylic yarn and Flopsy is made out of  pure wool worsted yarn held double. 

I found the pattern for the bunny here on Ravelry. 

 

I made matching Easter baskets for the bunnies.  These baskets were crocheted without any pattern.  The insert inside is a clear deli container.  You can be creative and use whatever yarn or shape you wish to make your basket.  They take little time to make.

 

I think Flora and Flopsy are excited to arrive at their new home in a few days. . .

 

They wanted me to show you their cotton tails!  Aren't they the cutest?

And, you can't forget the chocolate chicks!

This pattern is free on Ravelry and you can use whatever type of yarn you may have leftover in your stash.  It's a fun, quick project that lets you create something for your little ones.

My best to each of you,

Pat

 

Simple Crocheted Easter Baskets

The glorious celebration of Easter will soon be here.  There's still time to do some crafting if you wish.  I wanted to share with you an easy idea for crocheted Easter baskets.

Here are the two baskets I made for my little grandson and little granddaughter.  I crocheted a bow for one of them and a carrot for the other as embellishment.

You can use any type of yarn you wish; I had a large skein of Red Heart acrylic.  I used a size H hook.  You'll also need some type of plastic container which the basket will be crocheted around.  These clear plastic containers originally came with dried dates in them. 

I started at the bottom with single crochet in the round.  I increased the stitches as needed, measuring my work against the bottom of the plastic bin that I was using as the liner.

I then switched to double crochet for the edges, again crocheting in the round.  I inserted the liner into the crochet before starting the cluster stitch row.  To finish the top, I did a row of triple crochet cluster stitch.  The handles are single crochet and I crocheted some ears in double crochet. 

As mentioned above, I used Red Heart acrylic.  It was a large skein and you can see in the first picture how much I had left.  (I sometimes forget how crochet loves to eat yarn vs knitting :)

 

Here's the baskets all filled with their bunnies and Easter goodies ready for the grandchildren for Sunday Easter dinner.

I wish all of you a joyous holiday and I send you my best wishes, too.  Feel free to write and let me know what fun projects you may be creating.  I love hearing from you!

Blessings,

Pat

Linking with:

The Pin Junkie . . .  

Rocking Your World Friday ... 

Meet Monsieur Pierre and Mademoiselle Pasclina - Knitted Easter Bunnies

I told you I'd share with you a crafty post this week.  The taxes have been delivered to the accountant; thank goodness!  The craziness of business papers is still swirling around but I'm going to ignore it for a couple of days and close my "office"!  So here goes...

On Tuesday I told you about my yarn club box I received.   Here is what was inside.  Three skeins of a marvelous 100% cotton yarn from South Africa, two tea bags, novelty buttons, washi tape and some pattern ideas.  I was thrilled, to say the least.  I signed up for a three month subscription so I'm expecting two more boxes in the months to come.  I wasn't disappointed.  Fun times ahead ...

It was delightful to receive my yarn club box from Little Woollie in Australia ...

Now, I'd like to introduce you to Monsieur Pierre and Mademoiselle Pasclina.  They are the official Lilly My Cat bunnies for 2016.  I've made a bunny each year for my little grandson.  Since this is the first Easter for my little granddaughter, she has a bunny, too!

I made little "bunny tails" for them, too.  It was so much fun creating these little creatures from my leftover yarn stash.  Pierre's eyes are the buttons I received in my yarn club box.

 

 I got around to decorating my little Easter tree. It's actually a goose feather tree made from real goose feathers and made in America.  I bought it a few years ago from a little gift shop in Tacoma, Washington.  The large eggs are wooden eggs from Russia. 

Before I sign off, I will tell you how I made the bunnies above.  I found the original pattern here. But, when it came time to make them, I realized that the pattern was knitted flat and you had to sew up all these seams.  What a pain :(  I took out my trusted DPNs and altered the pattern to be knit in the round.  I made the arms on DPNs too and added them to the neckline.  I did knit the head separate from the body.  It was fun to see them take shape.  I would have embellished Pasclina's dress a bit more but since it's for a baby, I thought I had better keep it baby safe.

I hope you have enjoyed this post.  I'd love to hear what you have been up to so feel free to share your ideas in the comment section.  I read each and every one and so appreciate your friendship. And, please try and stop by for a visit for this week's link parties listed at the bottom of the post.

My best to each of you,

Pat

Linking to the following parties:

Amy's Five on Friday ... 

Yarn Along . . . 

A Stitch in Time...

Handmade Monday...

Roses of Inspiration ...

Celebrating Easter Long Ago

Spring is such a joyful time of year when everything renews itself around us.  Lilly My Cat tries to "renew" itself with varied posts.  I have tried to make my blog a bit diversified (like a stock portfolio, haha).  I know there's lot of people who don't knit or crochet but maybe they like history, travel, cats, or whatever.  I collect lots of things, I like to make a lot of things and I like to decorate in my own style.  (shhh don't tell me daughter and she thinks my style is crazy eclectic!) 

 So, on a fun, lighter note, I hope you will enjoy this little look back into what I think was a delightful period of time...

The other night I was trying to go to sleep and thinking to myself what can I write a post about.  Easter was popping into my mind .....

A few years ago my dear daughter gave me these lovely antique postcards.  They are from France and date from 1907 & 1914. 

 I think this is such a unique design with the saying of  " My Heart Opens to you".....

The card is written to Mademoiselle Elise Cheyroux, Collanges, near Meyssac, Correze (the town is now called Collanges-Meyssac, in the Limousin Region of France)

She writes....

My Dear Elise,

I see you're still enjoying yourself and you're quite right, because good times can be followed by bad times.  I received a letter from Edouard, but I'll think he'll be coming at Pentecost*. I often think it will soon be time to go spend a few days with you others - that will lift my spirits. I'm not like you, I don't have a lot of things to amuse me. You must have heard that Cecile is getting married on May 4th.  Elie and Jeanne will probably both go to the wedding.  Do tell me if you've bought something nice to wear. I send you all love and kisses.  A comfort, waiting til I can see you all.  Be sure to give your fat Papa a kiss from me!

Marie

*Note:  Pentecost falls 50 days after Easter.  In 1907, it was on May 19th.

I wish you could see this card pictured below in person as I believe it's been hand colored.  Don't you just love the dress she's wearing?

This Happy Easter card reads as follows:
My dear Suzanne,
I received your kind card yesterday.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  It really made me happy, and as I don't want to take too long to reply, I'm writing back straight away tonight.  My parents are in good health; they're asking me to say hello to you.  You said that you went to the airfield (?) last Sunday.  Lucky you to be able to go on a jaunt so far away!  As for me, I'm finding this place more and more annoying - oh well, too bad.  I saw your grey suit, it's very pretty and very well made.  I can't think of anything new to tell you for the time being, so I'll leave off here my dear Suzanne, sending you lots of hugs and kisses.  Your friend, who's thinking of you,
Augustine
Write back soon, will you?

I believe this one too has been hand colored.  Doesn't the model have beautiful, long hair? 

I wish to thank my dear friend, Christine at Writing from Scotland who was kind enough to translate these cards for me.  If you have a chance please visit her wonderful blog. 

As for my memories of Easter long ago, I remember a particular Easter Sunday when I was about 6 years old.  We lived in a small town in Idaho in a very modern ranch style home (I think they now call these homes by the fancy name of "mid century").  My mother had grown up during the depression and she did not like anyone old or antique.  Well, back then it was the fad to buy a live pastel colored baby chick for Easter.  Yes!  a real live baby chick ( I know it's totally improper now).  I received mine that year - it was in a shoe box.  I remember being on the front doorstep playing with it when I turned around for just a minute.  I looked back down and it was gone.  Disappeared...no where in sight.  Oh, I was so upset.  I'm sure I cried.  My Mom thinks it was the neighbor's Siamese cat who grabbed it.  I'll never know.  But on a bright note; my two cousins also received baby chicks.  They lived out in the country and their baby chicks grew into healthy chickens who loved to run after you and nip you on the leg!

I also received a new Easter dress and shoes each year.  My Mom was fond of that voile flocked fabric that had puffy like designs on it.  I can't remember the name.  And, I must have liked yellow because I never recall having a pink or blue dress.  A lovely pale shade of yellow....with black patent shoes.  My Mom loved black patent.  She always wore black patent high heels.  To this date, I'm not fond of black patent....I don't know why as my dear Mom was a wonderful person.

Here's a look back at some of my Easter photos of long ago....

 Photo above is from 1956 - we still lived on the farm in Washington

 Photo above is from 1958 taken in my grandparents backyard in Idaho

This is a photo of my Mom and I taken in 1960 (the same year I lost my baby chick)

This is me in 1961....see the ranch style homes of the 60's in the background

I had to rummage through the boxes in the garage to find these photos.

I hope wherever you are that you have a Blessed Easter and peace.  I'll be taking a little break from this blog for a few days but will be back soon with some new posts that I hope you will enjoy.

Happy Easter,

Pat 

I'm joining the following link parties:
Happy Friday at Planet Penny
Share Your Cup Thursday...

The Art of Homemaking Mondays....

Handmade Monday
Create With Joy....
Ivy and Elephants...
Home and Garden Thursday.....

♫ ♪ ♬ ...here comes Peter Cottontail with a Knit Rabbit Pattern Link

Easter is just around the corner.  For the past two years, I have knitted a bunny rabbit for my little grandson, Oliver.  Here's a link to last year's bunny.  This year, I wanted to do something a little different.

Meet Mr. Bunny.........

 He insisted to sit at the table.  I'm having a dinner party this weekend and I had so much fun setting up the table.

Mr. Bunny was made from some leftover worsted weight yarn.  

 This is such an easy pattern to knit.  You will need the following:

  

* leftover worsted weight yarn in color of your choice
* size 4 DPN

 * stuffing for his body

  * large tapestry needle and small scraps of yarn for face

Now for the pattern, it can be found  here on Ravelry.  It's knit in the round on double pointed needles.  You can knit it in any color you wish. Note: I knit his ears in two separate pieces since I wanted a contrasting color for the inside.

I love his little cottontail!

I'm afraid he thinks he's the guest of honor.....

He's getting hungry....so I had better go and fix his dinner.

It's not too late to knit this for someone's Easter basket.  

As for dinner, here's a peek at my menu:

You may like a little explanation of the menu:
Sanbusak is a meat filled pastry.  It's popular in the middle east.  I used to make the dough but now I buy it ready made.  I saute ground beef with onion and season with salt, pepper, allspice and pine nuts.

My recipe for kabob hala can be found here on my blog.

My recipe for vegetarian mousakka can be found here on my blog.

I'm excited to make this recipe for Magic Cake as I just found it this week!

For my fruit salad, I'm using strawberries, banana, mango, oranges, pear, and grapes and I add a little bit of orange blossom water (middle east specialty) along with some coconut.
*******************************
It's always a joy to hear from you.  Feel free to comment if you wish.  Until next time, happy crafting everyone!

my best to you,

Pat (& Lilly, too!)

(I just couldn't resist this picture of Lilly sleeping with her head on the pillow!)

I'm linking to the following:
Handmade Monday.... 

The Art of Homemaking Mondays....

Wordless Wednesday..
Crafting On...
Between Naps on the Porch
Yarn Along with Ginny....
Planet Penny's Happy Friday
Share Your Cup Thursday.... 

Meet Peter and Pauline Bunny

It's been a fun week here at Lilly My Cat.  Peter and Pauline Bunny have come over to say "hello" since it's that time of year again when they make their annual appearance.

Peter is on the left with his sporty striped sweater.  Little Pauline is on the right decked out in a spring green dress with flowers.

Bunnies wouldn't be bunnies without their fluffy white tails:

Pauline's dress was so much fun to make.  I knitted her dress without a pattern, making up the shape as I went along.  I crocheted some tiny flowers for embellishment:

Here they are decked out in their finest Easter outfits in their respective Easter baskets:

I had such a fun time making these little knitted bunnies.  When I was in London last fall I picked up this book from Hatchards bookship in Piccadilly.  It's filled with these bunnies and wonderful Easter eggs you can knit.

I bought one skein of Dale of Norway yarn for Peter but I used some leftover DK weight yarn for Pauline and it worked great.  Their ears are lined with pink, fuzzy angora wool and their tales are white angora.  Who knows, maybe they will make another apperance next year dressed in a different outfit!

On another note, yesterday my mailman delivered my colorful yarn for the stripey blanket I am going to make.  

I received 17 100 gram skeins at less than $2.50 each.  And, the shipping from the UK to California was just over $6.00!  I can't believe the bargain I found.

For those of you in the UK, I wish you a Happy Mother's Day.  Please try to stop by Handmade Harbour

where you will find lots of creative ideas.

My best to each of you until next time,

Pat

Crochet Easter Basket

Hello.  I've been absent from this post for a couple of weeks and I have missed everyone.  I thought I would be able to share with you my new afghan I have been crocheting.  But, unfortunately, I ran out of yarn and had to buy more :(

So, instead, here's what I created this week out of leftover yarns.  It's an Easter basket.  I used worsted weight yarn and made up (most) of the pattern myself.  I used a plastic container I found in my kitchen as the basket liner.

 I started crocheting a pinwheel doily pattern for the bottom.  You can find the pattern here.
**Note** I crocheted a "two chain" space instead of "four chain" in pinwheel pattern.

I followed the doily pattern through round 7 and then did a row of single crochet all around.  I then began building the basket using double crochet stitches.

 

After doing a few rows around, I put in the plastic container to make sure it will fit snug.  I decreased a few stitches so that it would fit properly.  

I finished off the edge with a popcorn stitch which made as follows: 1) work 4 double crochets in same stitch. 2) drop current stitch from hook. 3) insert hook into 1st double crochet you made. 4) put dropped stitch back onto needle and pull through double crochet stitch you have on needle.  I did a single crochet between each popcorn stitch.

I've had so much fun knitting bunnies and eggs so this basket will be filled with lots of goodies.

As usual, I'm a little behind times but recently I discovered this wonderful pattern for a beautiful crocheted blanket.  It originally was a "crochet along" and I discovered the idea over at  Love, Lucie.

It was the brainchild of Hannah Davis over at Not Your Average Crochet.  Here's a photo of her blanket:

 

 

Doesn't it look like a fun project?  Every row is a different pattern.  Thank you Hannah for sharing this fun, exciting pattern.  

And for the yarn selection, the yarns are already pre-packaged  at Deramores.  The pattern calls for 11 skeins but you can use more depending upon the size you want.  This pre-pack at Deramores consists of 17 skeins of yarn and it's a great bargain.  (Search for coupon codes and it will discount your order so that it's an even better bargain!)

I can hardly wait until my yarn arrives from the UK!  Talking about yarn, the afghan I ran out of yarn on, is crocheted with Red Heart Super Saver Yarn.  This was the yarn that my Grandma always used and it's still a standard out there.  I haven't knitted or crocheted with this yarn for many, many years.  I know my local craft stores carry it but they don't have the full range of colors that are available.  When I ran out this week I went to my local craft store thinking I could easily pick up one skein and guess what?  None in that color was available!  So, I turned to my other favorite site, Amazon and found what I needed there.  I love Amazon.  They have great prices, too!

That's about all I have to share this week.  I'm excited to hear what each of you have been up to.  Please feel free to say "hello".  I love hearing from you guys!

take care,

Pat

 P.S.  Lilly sends her greetings! And, says" don't forget to stop by Handmade Monday to see some great craft ideas"!

Easter Appears Again

Hello everyone.  I wasn't going to write a post today but I thought I should check in and say "hello".  I have been busy baking and getting ready for Pascha (Easter) which falls on May 5th this year for Orthodox Christians.  I wanted to send an "Easter Basket" to my husband's family back east.  So I made petit fours and kaak filed with sesame seeds and honey.  I went to my local post office and brought home one of their flat rate boxes:

I really packed this box with all kinds of goodies besides the cookies.  When I took it to the post office it weighted almost 7 pounds but I only paid the flat rate of $12.35.  The post lady told me it would have been $26.00 otherwise.  What a great deal!  I am old fashioned and I love my local post office.

We have  had nice warm weather the past few days and it's suppose to really get warm the next couple of days.  Here's a picture of my jasmine from last  year:

I have always lived in a cold climate before moving here to southern California so it's so much fun to be able to grow these plants outside all year long.  I have a succulent garden in pots but some of them are growing so much that they need to be planted in the ground.

Lilly is doing well.  She's going to the vet on Saturday for her annual check up.  I kind of dread it since the doctor will weigh her and tell me again how "fat" she is.  She's really not fat - she's just a large, large kitty.  My beloved Pumpkin was  Norwegian Forest cat and she weighed 15 pounds.  Lilly is a Maine Coon and she was this size when we adopted her so it's not because I feed her too much.  And, she has been eating reduced calorie cat food!!

As you can see, she ate a little lunch, took a stroll out in the back yard and now she's taking the first of her afternoon naps!

But, needless to say, she is my darling baby and I love her dearly.  She is really a joy to me and my husband as she keeps us company each and every day.

Please stop by Handmade Harbour and see all the wonderful ideas for Handmade Monday.  Until next time, have a blessed week!

P.S.  I had hoped to finish my knitted baby sweater, but I still have one sleeve to complete.  So, hopefully I will have a photo of the completed sweater to share with you next week.