THETINCAT

Monday, April 1, 2013

There are clocks. And then.....there are clocks. There are clocks that tick and tock and ring and jingle and tell time underwater and sound an alarm. And then there are clocks made from a bicycle wheel with yardstick ruler hands perched on a chalkboard surrounded by roman numerals above a table strategically styled with a bicycle seat. That is one fine clock. And the best part?

How to Found hERE

SpRinG

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Crochet Pencil Clown Holder

This cute little vintage clown hangs on the wall and holds a ruler, crayons, and pencils. Handy and decorative. The little ones will love him.

Approximate Time:

Supplies:

crochet Hook Size G
plastic doll face (see below)
crayons, ruler and pencils

pom poms (or make your own)

4 ply yarn (scraps will do)
paper punch
hot glue gun
white spray paint
red and black Sharpies

Notes:

This is a good way to use leftovers in mix and match colors in any order that is pleasing to the eye. You will also need a 1/4 inch paper punch, and a hot glue gun.

You may prefer to use the cool melt glue sticks for this project.

Instructions

Clown Face

Concerning the plastic faces: this is a vintage pattern and, in the original version, you could buy the clown faces as well as the doll faces. The clown faces are no longer available, but you can still find the doll faces at Hobby Lobby and other craft stores. So you may either use the doll face or you may do as I have done and paint the doll face.

In the photo, you see the doll faces that are available, and the ones that I have painted. The painting is very simple. Spray the face first with white paint. Let dry and using red and black sharpies and redraw the new features on. The outlines of the face will make this easy to do. Punch a hole on each side of the face at the neck to attach the ruffled collar. and one hole on each side of the face at eye level to attach the hat and pom-poms.

Crochet

Ruler Cover: (Arms) Use your choice of color (blue in photo)

Row 1: ch 35, 1 sc in 2nd chain from hook, 1 sc in each st of ch across, ch 1, turn,. (34 sts)

Rows 2-12: 1 sc in each sc across, ch1, turn. (34 sts.) (no ch on row 12) Tie off leaving 18 inch yarn end. Sew piece together lengthwise, leaving ends open to hold the ruler.

Pants Back: Yellow in photo

Row 1: Hold ruler Cover flat and sl st, ch 1 between 12th and 13th sts of seam to attach yarn, 1 sc in same st, 1 sc between each of next 11 sts, ch 1, turn (12sts)

Rows 2, 4, 6, 8: (every other row) 2sc in first st. 1sc in each of next 10 (12) (14) (16) sts, 2 sc in last st. ch 1, turn (14) (16) (18) (20) sts.

Rows 3, 5, 7, 9: (every other row) 1 sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (14) (16) (18) (20) sts.

Rows 10-12;: 2 sc in first st, 1 sc in each of next 18 (20) (22) sts, 2 sc in last st, ch 1 turn. (22) (24) (26) sts.

Rows 13-18: 1 sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (26) sts,

Rows 19-27: In first 2 sts work 2 sc together as 1, 1 sc in each of next 22 (20) (18) (16) (14) (12) (10) (8) (6) sts, in next 2 sts work 2sc together as 1ch 1, turn. (24) (22) (20) (18) (16) (14) (12) (10) (8)sts,

Rows 28-31: 1 sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (8 sts) (No ch on Row 31). Tie off.

Pants Front: Orange in photo.

Row 1: Ch 17, 2sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in eah of next 14 sts, 2 sc in last st, ch 1, turn. (18 sts)

Row 2-26: Repeat Rows 7-31 of Pants back. Row 2 for front will be same as Row 7 for back. Row 3 for front will be same asRow 8 for back, etc.) Tie off at end of Row 26. Pockets (make 2) Yellow in photo.

Row 1: ch 10, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and each st of ch across, ch, turn (9 sts)

Rows 2-8: 1 sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. (9 sts) (No ch on Row 8.) Tie off. Sew pockets on top of front piece, referring to photo for placement, leaving opening on top to insert crayons. Place front piece on top of back piece of pants and sl st or sew together, matching pieces at the "feet" and leaving opening on top to insert pencils.

Neck Ruffle: Orange in photo.

Row 1: ch 13. 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and each st of ch across. ch 2, turn (12 sts)

Row 2: 3 sc in each sc across. ch 3, turn (33 sts)

Row 3: 3 trc (wrap yarn twice around hook and work off 2 wraps at a time) in each sc across. Ch 3, sl st. to base at beginning of previous row. Tie off leaving a few inches.

Straighten center of base of ruffle and squeeze a little of the cool melt glue onto the center. Attach it at this point to the center of the neck on the face piece. Tie a piece of yarn through the ruffle base near the holes in the neck and gently thread through the holes and tie, being careful not to break the plastic hole. Center the collar over the ruler cover (arms) and secure collar to arms by hot gluing or sewing.

Straps: Variegated pink, white, blue in photo (Make 2) ch 19, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each st of ch across. Sew or glue to pants referring to photo for placement.

Cap: Yellow in Photo

1st Row: ch 13. sc in 2nd ch from hook and each st of ch across. ch 1, turn (12sts)

2nd Row: In first 2 sc work together as 1 st (decrease), 1 sc in each st across to last 2 sts. Work last 2 sc together as 1 st (decrease). (10 sts)

Remaining rows: Continue to decrease 1st and last st in each row until only one st remains.

Assembly:Tie off. Position hat across forehead of clown, and tie the sides into the holes at eye level. Pull cap up on forehead, and tack to the top of the face with cool melt glue. (If using hot melt glue, squeeze a little onto the hat, wait a few moments before applying to the face. Refer to photo for position of cap.

Tie pom-poms in place as shown in photo. leave the ties on the tip of the hat a little long and tie again at the end for a hanger to hang your clown. You may need to add a touch of glue to the sides of the face.

By Harlean from Hot Springs, Arkansas

By Harlean from Arkansas

Monday, March 25, 2013

Easy Apple Cake mix Cake Recipe

Prep Time 30 mins Cool Time 2 Hours

1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix no pudding in mix
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup vegetable oil
6 apples - peeled, cored and sliced
1/2 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan.
In a large bowl, stir together the cake mix and instant pudding mix. Add the eggs, sour cream and oil, mix until well blended. In a small bowl combine the sugar, cinnamon and walnuts.
Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan, then place a layer of sliced apples over the batter and sprinkle with half of the cinnamon walnut mixture. Pour the remaining batter over the top and repeat with the remaining apples and cinnamon walnut mixture.
Bake for 60 to 70 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool for 1/2 hour before removing from pan to cool completely.

Chocolate Easter Eggs Recipe

Prep: 25 min. + chilling

Yield: 24 Servings

2525

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup chunky peanut butter
1-1/2 to 2 cups confectioners' sugar, divided
1 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening

Directions

In a large bowl, cream the butter and peanut butter until fluffy. Gradually add 1 cup confectioners' sugar and mix well. Stir in coconut and nuts.
Turn peanut butter mixture onto a surface lightly dusted with some of the remaining confectioners' sugar; knead in enough of the remaining confectioners' sugar until mixture holds its shape when formed. Shape into small egg-shaped pieces. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip eggs; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set. Chill. Yield: 2 dozen.

Nutritional Facts1 serving (1 each) equals 204 calories, 14 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 5 mg cholesterol, 70 mg sodium, 20 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 3 g protein.

Originally published as Chocolate Easter Eggs in Taste of Home February/March 1996, p35

Freisian Horse Video

These horses were originally bred as "war horses" in the days of knights and armor. As armor got heavier, bigger horses were needed and the Freisian almost became extinct. They are back and are one of the prettiest horses in stature as well as gait.

What gorgeous animals!!
Just watching them becomes an emotional experience. Can you imagine what it would be like to ride one?
Their manes and tails are the longest that I have seen and I noticed that when performing on grass, their hoofs do not kick up a divot (they land flat footed).

Creatures such as these are what makes this world so special. These horses are native to the Netherlands . Have your audio on.