Rhoda's Scarf

I've been receiving quite a few requests for the crochet pattern I used for Rhoda's pink scarf. People from across the country and across the Pond have asked about this pattern. How in the world they were directed to my blog is a mystery to me...maybe thru the ever-popular Crazy Aunt Purl or the Granny-Along Blog?

Anyway, here's the pattern. It's just a simple combination of double crochet stitches and shells. You can use any size hook, any size yarn. You can add or subtract stitches to make the scarf wider or more narrow.

For Rhoda's scarf, I used some mystery pink acrylic from my stash, worsted weight and a size "H" crochet hook. I've also crocheted this same pattern using sock yarn and a size "E" hook.

Chain 21 stitches.

Row 1: Sc in second stitch from hook. sc across the row. Turn. You should have 19 sc stitches.

Row 2: Chain 4, skip 2 stitches, dc 5 in next stitch for SHELL, ch 2, skip 2 sts, dc, ch 2, skip 2 sts, SHELL, ch 2, skip 2 sts, dc, ch 2, skip 2 sts, SHELL, ch 2, skip 2 sts, dc in last stitch.

Repeat this row until you have the desired length for your scarf. Do one row of single crochet to finish the edge.

You may add any type of crocheted flowers as a sort of fringe at the bottom. Here's a basic flower pattern. You can use any sort of flower pattern, or just add short fringe to this scarf, or add some pom-poms, or just crochet a few more single crochet rows for a border. I sewed 3 flowers under each shell at each end of the piece for Rhoda's Scarf.

Let me know if you crochet this scarf. I'd love to see your photos of the completed project.

Kwik-E-Mart

We really enjoyed "The Simpsons Movie" this weekend. If you've been watching the show for the past 18 years like we have, there are plenty of laughs. It really is a like a long TV episode, with lots of added fun. To our surprise, Baby Maggie speaks at the end of the movie. I won't spoil the surprise, but Maggie is a very smart baby!

Kwik-E-Mart, Burbank

Animator-Generated Graffiti

on the Burbank Kwik-E-Mart.

The WLA Mart was graffiti-less.

We cruised over to the WLA Kwik-E-Mart / 7-11 on Sunday morning. There was a line down the block for Simpson's doughnuts, dolls, Pez dispensers, Squishees, etc. Later in the day, Larry zoomed over to the Burbank branch and snapped some great pix.

Larry just had to have a Krusty The Clown Doll and one doughnut. We are children of the TV generation.

Opening Today

Wooo Hoooo! "The Simpsons Movie" is opening today. I'm a long-time fan. I was working at 20th Century Fox when The Tracey Ullman Show featured short snippets of the Simpson clan. I see creator, Matt Groening around town all the time....at last year's Felt Club, at music events, at art shows, etc. We're about the same age and have similar cultural references. Mr. Larry and I never miss "The Simpsons" TV show on Sunday nights.

The movie has been reviewed...favorably and not so much. I DON'T CARE! I can't wait to see it this weekend!

I was thrilled when this site was circulated to create your own Simpsons Avatar. I've created Ellen and Larry "Simpson". Have a great weekend!

Ellen "Simpson"

Larry "Simpson"

Grannies & Zucchini

Last Sunday a few of my BFFs helped me crochet some squares to add to the baby blanket that I am donating to Stitches From The Heart. I've been crocheting off-white borders on all of their squares, making them larger, as necessary, so they will all be similar in size. I've put together a few squares. I think this will be a very colorful baby blanket! Thanks to everyone and their faboo crochet expertise!

That same day, Miss Laurie brought over a b-day gift, along with some zucchini from her garden. I had professional photographer, Larry Underhill, place said zucchini under studio lights with a 12-inch ruler and record them for posterity. They are the hugest zucchini I have ever seen! We will be washing, slicing, dicing, steaming, buttering and spicing up a small portion of the monster Z tonight to see how it tastes. "The Super Zucchini that Invaded Wilshire Vista" ... News at 11.

Super Size that Zucchini!!

Yarn-tastic!

Thanks again to everyone who gave me such creative and faboo gifts for my b-day! I thought I'd share some yarn-porn with y'all. Do you see a hot color theme here? I'm known as "Agent Orange" among my painterly friends. I think this nickname has transferred over to my yarny friends too. LOVE IT!

More fabulous eye-candy to behold.

You will see this yarn and buttons popping up in my various projects over the next year or so. My friend, Faith, gave me a bumper sticker a few years ago, saying "She who dies with the most yarn, wins." I win.

More About Rhoda

Rhoda @ Sur Restaurant, West Hollywood

OK, OK, I know I'm celebrating a little too much....how can I refuse when people want to take me out to fancy places for dinner and lunch? This is really not a restaurant review, it's a b-day review. Last night my BFF, Rhoda took me out to dinner. She is a total DOLL!!!! We went to Sur Restaurant on No. Robertson in trendy West Hollywood. This is a very elegant place with outdoor seating areas, Hollywood Regency / Asian decor, excellent service and good food.

Elegant Decor

We ordered a salad to start. Rhoda had the Blackened Chicken Breast and I had the Milanesa Napolitana. Both were generously served with vegies. We topped off dinner by sharing blueberry cobbler a'la mode.

Salad with chopped arugula,

buffalo mozarella, avocado,

olives, tomatoes, roasted pecans

& creamy balsamic dressing

Blackened Chicken, Spinach, Yams
Veal, Roasted Potatoes, Asparagus

Blueberry Cobbler A' la Mode

OK, one more dinner to go and one more lunch, THEN that's it! No more rich food for awhile.

Sur Restaurant

606 No. Robertson Blvd.

West Hollywood, CA

310/289-2824

Me, Me, Me, Me

Yup! It's all about ME. Welcome to the "MiMi" Show!!! My b-day celebrations over the weekend were wonderful. The party continues this week with a few lunches and dinners. Woo Hooo!

Squares for Baby Blankie

A few of the knitster goils came over on Sunday for a little lunch, etc. I was so happy and surprised to see the knitsters actually CROCHETING squares for our group baby blanket for Stitches From the Heart.

Tower O' Squares

Thanks to everyone for participating. I'll be crocheting edges on the squares and tying them together thematically with little white crocheted daisies sprinkled about on the blankie.

More photos of festivities to come.

More Celebrations

Yes, I do have some incredible friends. Hugs to Natalie for bringing the most gorgeous and delicious chocolate birthday cake to the WeHo SnB on Thursday night. Also, thanks to all my sisters in crochet and knit for their good wishes and gifties! I'm so lucky to have so many thoughtful people in my life.

Natalie "Pom-Pom" Yamashita

On Friday, the actual day of my b-day, I started out early on my adventures. I headed toward Culver City....time to explore all the new shops and restaurants in the downtown area.

Culver Hotel, Downtown Culver City

I had a pedicure at a nail salon on the edge of the area, near the old Ivy SubStation. Then, I started walking around the downtown area. There are so many new shops, galleries and restaurants that you don't see when you are driving through the area.

I went to the early show at the Pacific Theater to see the new movie version of the stageplay, "Hairspray." I am a huge John Waters fan and really love the original movie. I saw the stageplay about 3 years ago at the Pantages. It was good, but I still liked the movie better with all the original music from the late '50's and early '60's. HOWEVER, this current movie is really fun. Marc Shaiman's mock-50's music comes off much better here than in the stageplay. The actors are great...John Travolta (in Divine's part); Christopher Walken (in Jerry Stiller's part), Michelle Pfeiffer (in Deborah Harry's part), Queen Latifah (in Ruth Brown's part), etc. It's a very enjoyable, old-fashioned musical.

After the show, I walked down the block, across from the Culver City City Hall to a newish restaurant called Meltdown.

I'd heard that they specialized in all sorts of grilled cheese sandwiches. It was yummy. I had a Market Melt, which is herbed goat cheese, fontina cheese, grilled vegies, carmelized onions and walnut pesto on ciabatta bread. Delish.

I did a little more shopping in the area, then I drove home. I rested up and later that evening Mr. Larry took me to dinner at Chichen Itza. I've written about this restaurant previously. It was good. There was a trio singing romantic Spanish songs.

Shrimp Ceviche

Puerco Pipian

Cochinita Pibil

Platanos Fritos

We topped off the evening by going to my favorite Pinkberry in Larchmont Village.

Thanks so much to everyone for the e-cards, b-day blog wishes, etc. I do appreciate it. More birthday news to follow.

B-Day Blues

Sigh. Tomorrow is my b-day and I've got the B-Day Blues. Yeah, it's one of those milestone b-days...ugh...I'd rather not think about it. HOWEVER, I do have lots and lots of lovely friends who insist on reminding me about the day. The reminders have already begun.

On Saturday at my art opening, Rob brought a beautiful, huge cake for everyone at the reception to share.

Robbie's Cake

Last night at the Farmer's Market, the enchanting Nancy brought a faboo doughnut cake from Bob's, festooned with candles, along with some divine gifties and a hilarious card.

Bob's Doughnut Cake, Courtesy of Nancy
Nancy's Strikingly Familiar Card

Much like last year, I'm taking the day off from work tomorrow to galivant around the City, get a pedicure, buy myself stuff and generally goof off. Mr. Larry is taking me to dinner tomorrow night.

Saturday, we're having dinner with Mom and my Step-Dad in Playa del Rey. Sunday I'm hosting a small get-together at our house with some of my knitastic friends for an ol' lady knit/crochet bee. We're going to work on a group baby blanket to donate to Stitches From The Heart.

Monday, Miss Rhoda is taking me out to dinner. Tuesday Joan W. is taking me to dinner. I've worked it out so I don't actually have to cook anything for almost two weeks. That's the kind of celebration I enjoy the most....shirking all cooking and cleaning duties.

Have a marvelous weekend, everyone....thanks for all the b-day wishes...I'm trying to forget! Oy!

So Many Squares...

Daisy Granny

...So Little Time. Yup! I'm hooked on variations of granny squares. I've been catching up on the Granny-Along blog and have found more squares that I want to crochet. I was particularly attracted to the Daisy Granny. I just finished one. This square would make a darling purse or blanket....part of a sweater....hat decoration...the possibilities are endless!

I've also been working on another bag with the Larger Than Life Granny Square...this one in Tapa-Cloth colors. I've finished the outside of the bag, now I'm working on the crocheted lining. I added a bottom section to this bag, instead of making it a knife-edge like my previous bag. I'm always up for a new purse!

Skooby's

Today's post is here. Want a quick, delicious meal on the way to a screening at the Egyptian Theater? Try Skooby's.

Success

Larry and Ellen @ Future Studio

My art opening at Future Studio on Saturday was a success. Thanks to all who attended. I so appreciated seeing everyone's happy faces. I've uploaded a ton o' photos at my Photobucket album. Check it out here.
There were 14 paintings in the show....13 were for sale. I sold 8. Woo Hoo! I also sold many prints (Giclees) of my pieces. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!

It was so nice to meet a few fellow Bloggers in person. More details to come. Again, thanks for showing up!

Red Dots!

"Exotic L.A.", Mixed Media on Canvas, 12" x 12"

When you see a red dot next to painting, that means that it has sold.

I can't believe it!!! I pre-sold a painting for my art show opening! Last night at the WeHo SnB, I was sitting next to Brit. I gave her the flyer with my Angelino Heights painting on it. She wanted to know if that painting was available. Yes...it is still available. She bought it on the spot!!! Wow! Suddenly, I'm popular. Thanks so much, Brit for becoming my art patron!

Brit and Hank...Happy Art Patrons

My art show opening is FINALLY here! Hope to see many of you tomorrow night at Future Studio, 5558 No. Figueroa St., Highland Park (North East L.A.) between 6 and 10pm. This event is part of the NELA Second Saturday Gallery Night that occurs every month in the Arroyo Arts District. There are many galleries to visit. A must-see (besides Future Studio, of course) is Mor York Gallery on York @ Avenue 50. Tour the entire place...you won't be disappointed. Another two galleries that are right next door to each other are: Avenue 50 Studio and Acorn Gallery.

I've added a few new pieces to this show. You can see them listed under L.A. Landscapes at my art website, or you can come by and visit me on Saturday! I'll have prints for sale. There will be munchies too! Bring your camera along with the rest of the papparazzi!

"L.A. is a Tourist Destination" - Mixed Media on Canvas, 12" x 12"