Adventures in Coffee Dying

So I decide yesterday that I wanted a darker yarn for a bear I am making. I decided that coffee was my best bet. Ok... I've never done this before, so I am hoping that the coffee will remain stained on the yarn.

Last night I brewed a VERY strong 8 cup pot of coffee, Caramel Delight to be exact. Even though it was strong, it smelled really good! While it brewed I began pulling my yarn from the center, letting it fall into a large pot. I filled the entire pot, pushing it down slightly to get just a bit more. I am hoping it was enough, so I have enough yarn for my bear!

After the coffee was brewed, I poured it over my yarn and made sure it was covering every bit of yarn possible. Oh! I forgot to mention... I did wrap the end around the pot handle.

I covered the pot loosely.The yarn and coffee sat overnight. This morning I went and looked at it, gave it a tilt back and forth to cover more here and there. Then I went to work.

When I came home, I began to pull the yarn from the pan. Well after trying to do it on my own, I decided I needed my son's help.

I passed over the yarn to him and he held it while I wrapped. WHAT A MESS!! There was coffee everywhere! All over the stove, the floor and our clothes! At least we learn something everyday, right? I will be more prepared next time (if I do it a next time).

Well here is the result of my coffee dying adventure:


The picture is of what the original color (right) of the yarn looked like and the result from the coffee. I really love the new color and I hope it doesn't fade!

The yarn used for this adventure: Patons Lacette - Cream Caress

Paper Bag Mini-Books

Summer has definitely arrived! Kids are out of school and it is HOT!! Need a project to keep your kids busy that doesn't involve going out in the heat? Well the YCMT site just put up their first "Kids Can Make This, Too!" project. It is free and it sounds like a ton of fun!

Just click on the banner below and get to crafting with your kids :)


Each week YCMT will have a new project to do with your kids. So be sure to check back and see what the new project is!

EEG & Anniversary

Maleigha had an EEG appointment up in Denver yesterday. Denver is about a 4 hour drive. And with the gas prices now... ouch! Good thing my brother was willing to take us up in his van (he gets better gas mileage). I had 4 of the kids with me. Natalie stayed back and played at my brother's house.

The trip wasn't too exciting. I tried to get the kids to play some car games to keep them occupied and well... they just did not want to participate. Levi kept asking if we were there yet. Don't all kids ask that? LOL!

Oakley was wonderful at showing how big her lungs were and loved throwing her toys out of reach. :(

Maleigha was to be sleep deprived. The whole way up there (practically), she kept asking if she could go to sleep. You know all the kids were asking that, but on the way back, do you think they slept? You guessed it! Nope! Not a wink.

The EEG appointment went smoothly. Even though when we got there Maleigha said she wasn't tired... she did eventually fall asleep. I laid next to her during the EEG, which was different for me. This was her 3rd one and the 1st time they said for me to lay next to her.

Before Maleigha went to sleep, they ran a bunch of tests. She blew on a pinwheel and was subjected to a bunch of different flashing lights. She told the tech (Nancy Weston, who was super nice!) that she could see colors and at times even shapes. I found that interesting.

After the EEG was over, Nancy took her over to a cabinet to get a toy. She even let two of my other kids get one. They really enjoyed that. I went into the waiting room, only to find a very anxious baby wanting mommy. My brother showed me a spoon that the kids got with their ice cream. It looked like he was stealing! Ha Ha!! It was a plastic spoon, but looked like a real silver spoon.

We decided to go eat at the Chipotle Mexican Grill. Which if you haven't tried one. Definitely find one in your area. The burritos are huge and so good! I'm not sure how many there are or if it is even a franchise.

Here are a couple of pictures:

Maleigha was interested in what she looked like and I only had my phone. But I took these pictures of her and then showed her.

Maleigha has some of the readers on her already.



Her "Princess Hat". They put this on, so if the child moves then the readers don't fall off.



Then Maleigha wanted to see what the wires looked like in her hair. She is always so curious when it comes to medical stuff. She even likes seeing her blood get drawn!



And the last... this is a picture of some flowers outside Chipotle Mexican Grill.



Yesterday was our 7th anniversary. We didn't really get to spend it together. My husband works overnights, so he didn't go up to Denver with us. So I seen him a short bit before going and then when I got back, he was headed to work :(. I do hope that we'll get to go out to eat and maybe watch a movie together in the next couple of days. It was really sad not being able to be with him. But he just started his job and didn't want to risk the chance of not having it.

All in all a very exhausting day!

Do this again? Probably not.

I got the kiddos settled down for lunch. I made them dinosaur chicken nuggets, French fries and grapes. Well as I added ketchup to one of the plates, this was created:



And trust me, the title says it all. I did try it again and succeed I did not!

What is it like to be a Crocheter?

By Sarah Jones

Symbols, abbreviations, patterns and math
Why would I want to learn all that!!
Getting the kids ready for bed, giving them a bath
I just might as well toss in my hat!

When do I have time? Will I be up all night?
I usually have time for just a quick bite
Running, running, I’m always on the go!
So why do I do this? Why you must know?

Well warmth and comfort under a nice afghan
That is definitely a nice plan!
Dresses, purses, and bonnets I make,
Baby dedication… that takes the cake!

Gifts to charity always a must
Nothing is left to sit and collect dust.
Therapy, break, and calming I say
All wonderful to me at the end of my day!

It doesn’t stop there, there’s so much more!
But I am off… headed out the door.
I grab my purse and my keys.
I look down and what do I see?

Tangled yarn, lost hooks and my cat.
I will still put myself through all that!
Wouldn’t you do the same?
Come along and play the crochet game!

© 2008 Sarah Jones