All there is to know about me.......

It's difficult to summarize almost 40 years of life in one paragraph. So I'll just try to hit hit the basics.
In 1999 I was widowed after almost 11 years. He was the father of my first four children. They were ages 11, 8, 6 and 2 when he passed. He was a diabetic with a genetic type of diabetes called MODY "Maturity Onset Diabetes in Youth" He did not take care of his diabetes and ended up on kidney dialysis and died on his 35th birthday. I had my four children tested for MODY in 2001 and my second son (who is now 14) tested positive for it. This means that he will not start showing symptoms of it until about the age 16. I have a link on my page about MODY if you are interested in reading more.
After my husband passed away, my girlfriend hooked me onto the internet. I decided to look up an old crush of mine from high school, and I e-mailed him. He e-mailed me back and we exchanged a couple of e-mails. I learned that he had been divorced, he had an 8 year old son and he was living in NJ. Then 4 months later I got a phone call out of the blue that he was flying to California on vacation and he asked if I wanted to get together. We ended up meeting at an old pizza hang out and taking the kids to his Dad's house to swim. Well...it was just like the movies when we laid eyes on one another...and after a long distance courtship we were married exactly one year to the day, later! God Blessed me and the kids mightily with him. He is an exceptional man and has been a great support to me and the kids.
In 2002 we brought our daughter into the world and she has been a delight to everyone!
My oldest daughter moved to California a couple of years ago and I have just recently learned that November of 2007 I am going to be a first time Grandma!! I am very very excited about this and cannot wait to crochet everything under the sun for my daughter and the baby!
My oldest son will be graduating high school this year and attending NJIT. He is studying architecture.
My step son will also be attending college this year and he is studying accounting.
My son that was diagnosed with MODY is currently 14 and a freshmen in a vocational trade high school. He is in the automotive academy. His father in heaven must be very proud (that was his industry!) Currently he is not showing any signs of diabetes. I pray it never rears its ugly head.
My youngest son is in 4th grade and is a video game and skateboard fanatic. And finally the youngest is 4 and she will be entering Kindergarten in Sept. 2007. I don't know what I am going to do with myself once she enters school. This will be the first time in 20 years that I will be at home without a kid(s) in the house.
okay...thats a lie. I do know what I will do with myself...I'll crochet till my fingers fall off!!

My Productive day!

Yesterday was a semi-productive crochet day for me. I had a few projects started that I wanted to finish and so I did. First I finished the fringe on the blue wrap, then I finished the edging on the purple shawl, and then I completed the poncho (I still need to add the red/pink fringe) and finally I completed a blanket/pillow set that has been waiting for more of the right color yarn. (which I happened to find at Michael's the other night when I went shopping for more ribbon yarn). My favorite of these is the blue wrap....what a beautiful color and versatile...I personally love it.

Leading a "Crochet Along" (CAL) for CGOA

In the next couple of months I will be leading members of CGOA (Crochet Guild of America) in a Crochet Along. This should prove to be a great experience and a lot of fun! I have enjoyed reading other crocheters blogs and seeing pictures of their beautiful creations! It is so fun to be part of such a talented group.
We will be working on one of my favorite Poncho designs. (pictured on the right). It is made with a J hook and 5-6 balls of "Lion Brand Incredible" ribbon yarn. The drape on this poncho is fabulous!

Camo Cami

When I purchased this awesome (and stretchy) yarn, my 10 year old son, Collin, Picked it up and said, "Camouflage yarn Mom??"
He has been into military stuff and camouflage and weapons since he was 4.
So thanks to his observation of this yarn resembling camouflage, I have titled this camisole "Camo Cami". It can be seen and purchased on my website.

www.pontepretties.etsy.com

I LOVE the $uperbowl!!

My girlfriend and I, another avid crocheter (and knitter) have ordered from Smiley's yarn shop or E bay every week for the past...Ummm...maybe 3 or 4 weeks. Our husbands are none to happy about that, but WOW! What great prices!! WOW! What great yarn! I have so much yarn, but I eagerly want MORE!!
Last night my husband and I threw a super bowl party. We had so much fun. We had about 20-30 people and of course we had 2 annual Super bowl money pools. Can you believe that me and my yarn hoarding friend won for the 1st and 2nd quarters!! Then I won for the 3rd quarter and game!! (which is the biggest amount of money!) SO of course today, we can browse and shop for more yarn with our super bowl winnings....isn't that awesome!!!

Hand Crocheted Dress

This is the same dress in two different photos. When I first made this dress I could not decide what color lining to use. I took a photo with a nude slip under it to show the detail, but I ended up sewing a black "flexees" slip inside. I thought this dress was going to be a really big deal and take me months and months to make. It ended up taking me about a week (maybe two). It was made with size 10 cotton thread using the spider web pattern. I switched hook sizes here and there to get a couture look. (I did not follow a pattern, this was my own design)

Handbag Slide Show

These are another popular item of mine. This is just a small sample of some of the handbags that I have made. These are a lot of fun to make, I love playing with the many textures and of course the colors! Each bag is lined (I hand sew the lining in) and each bag has a magnetic gold clasp. Enjoy the show!

Turquoise Tunic for Isabelle

This was my most recent project (last week). It is a 100% cotton tunic for my 4 year old. I also made her a matching head band, but she is not wearing it in this photo. (Thank you captain obvious, I know) This was very simple to make. I made it in about 4 hours with 5 skeins of Bernat handicrafter cotton. The beauty of that tunic is that the more it gets washed, the softer and nicer it will feel. I love cotton!
FYI. for those of you who won't be able to sleep tonight until you know what that power cord is connected to, it is our elliptical machine. On which my husband and I use on a regular basis. (I'm not bragging, I just don't want you to think that we pile our clothes or store my yarn on it or anything.)

Really BAD picture

Okay, so it's a lousy picture of my top and of me and my son....For some reason I thought I had a better picture. Oh well...what a great way to introduce my kids...all 5 of them! This one is Lance. Lance is currently 14 years old and he doesn't normally look this miserable. In fact.... he looks like he's ready to vomit. I'm having second thoughts about putting this in my blog.......

MY MOST FAVORITE CROCHETED TOP!

Okay, this is my favorite favorite crocheted top of all time! It is my own orginal design, cute, cool, fun to wear and I get compliments every time I wear it. (my next photo will be of me wearing it at my son's 8th grade graduation. (In 98 degree weather with sweltering humidity!)
I love the color of this. I have now made about 7 of these tops in various sizes that I hope to sell on my craft site. Keep in mind...special orders are my specialty!!

Poncho Slide Show

Okay....I have been a total blog tramp. I must have created 7 or 8 blogs that I have been unfaithful too because I'm really not to sure what to write about. But I have been inspired! There are so many beautiful wonderful women out there who crochet (like myself) and keep organized, beautiful fun to read Blogs, so why can't I?! Here it is! My Blog all about Crochet. I have already posted my first slide show. The ponchos that you see in the appropriately named "Poncho Slide Show" are just a small representation of the many many ponchos that I have crocheted. Now that Ponchos are phasing out (and I say that in the nicest way) I have been busy crocheting Tunics and summer tops. I will post photos in the very near future.