Crocheting Is My Life!

Crocheting, to me, is the thread of remembrance. It is the means of joining me to my late mother, who taught me so much. I hold her old doilies and remember watching her make endless, perfect tiny stitches.

I leaf through her pattern books and remember her many gifts of love to family and friends - intricately edged pillowcases and starched doilies made. It makes me proud that I do the same as an adult. It is the primary way in which I can hope to emulate her.

It is "my thing," a talent that others in my family do not share nor have patience for but admire. It is so exciting to see them open gifts knowing they will be thrilled with whatever little treasure they have come up with. It is that excitement, the joy of sharing with others, that inspires me to keep creating.

But the biggest thing crocheting means to me in this part of my life is the ability to accomplish tangible creations, despite disabilities that have taken away my career and many things I formerly enjoyed in life. Somehow, miraculously, I can still crochet and I have taken an unbelievable measure of comfort in it! It relaxes me no matter how tense I am and gives me an unlimited source of things to continue accomplishing in the future!

Crochet thread is the ink with which I will sign my life.

Before becoming disabled years ago I spent part of my career as a graphic designer. I love to make designs relating to crochet and I put them on the many items available at CafePress. They have everything from sweatshirts and t-shirts to license plate holders, calendars and mousepads.

The link to my store there is http://www.cafepress.com/Schnauzies

I am always adding new designs so stop by often and check to see what's new!

Here 'tis, whatever it is I've been working on recently. It's my own little "Show & Tell!"

This is my newest scarf design. It is made out of Paton's "Carmen." It has to be the most delicious yarn I have EVER worked with.

This scarf solves the problem of scarf ends flapping in the breeze being annoying! It is joined on the front and has separate pockets for your hands, and there is a button further up I also plan to make a hooded version in another color of Carmen.

This pattern will be available for sale very soon at my pattern site, http://hometown.aol.com/sheilaschnauzies/SheilaPats.html

I have been rescuing miniature schnauzers since 2000. Right now there are eight little mouths to feed here:) My three kids are Sparky, Scrappy Jack and SueSu (a former rescue). The rescue kids are Bailey, Koby, Whizzer, Monty and Harry.

Our dream is to raise funds to build an outdoor kennel building so that we can expand our rescue efforts and to put a new liner in the above ground pool that was here when we bought the place, since water therapy and exercise are fabulous for dogs!

On a much smaller scale, sales of my patterns and finished objects help support the ongoing expenses of food, veterinary care, and the occasional new toy.

Moving to a place in the country 500 miles away has given me a WHOLE lot of free time to crochet! I have completed several "lifetime dream" projects - a thread filet shawl that took two months, doggie theme filet curtain valances for several windows took up the summer... then I worked on some really fun designs in thread for Christmas in a poinsettia theme. Right now I'm working on a new set of doggie sweaters shown here. The sweaters will be for sale to people who want to spoil their furkids soon!

Sparky Lynn was Sheina's best friend and our heart dog. We bought him as a 4-month old pup in the days before we knew about rescue. He was our "Pookie" and was a quiet, trusting soul. He was my daughter's constant best friend, they grew up together. Sparky got sick in January and we started treatment for Cushing's disease. At the end of February he started losing his eyesight, and was totally blind within a week. Strong of heart, he adjusted and kept fighting. On March 14, he became suddenly very ill and I took him to the vet. He had developed severe diabetes and some type of infection. He was hospitalized and after rallying for two days, he passed away after a sudden downturn on March 17, 2008. Sparky will have a memorial page soon on the web adjacent to his friend Sheina's. She died in 2005 of cancer.