Sunday, February 9, 2014

Yarn, Olympics & Movies

Good Sunday morning to you!  We were going to go to the mountains this weekend, but decided last minute to stay home.  I was anxious to watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics on Friday night, and all weekend!  I LOVE the Olympics!  All of the athletes back stories, the trials that they go through to get to where they are.  The interesting facts and history of the location the Olympics are held.  I think Russia is so beautiful.  We both thought the opening ceremonies were really great!  I am always amazed at all of the countries I have never even heard of!!! 
It has been cold and rainy here this weekend.  I pulled out my hot water bottle to warm my feet.  I made this cozy last winter, while we were in Big Bear.  I always intended to add a few more flowers, and finally did.  I think it is perfect now!
I put three buttons on the bottom to make it easy to insert, and remove the cozy. 
Do you like to use a hot water bottle when it gets cold?
Recently I mentioned about a great tutorial on winding your leftover yarn, using a toilet paper tube as your bobbin.  This works so great!!!  You simply drop the end of the yarn down into the tube.
Then with one hand, hold onto the bottom of the yarn, inside bottom of tube, and with other hand, begin to wind the yarn onto the top of the tube, doing quarter turns every few rotations.
Keep winding, and turning, until all of the yarn is wound.  Then gently slide the yarn ball off of the top of the tube.
You end up with a perfectly wound yarn cake, with the yarn pulling from the center so that it doesn't walk and wobble all over the place as you are knitting or crocheting.
Don't mind the green beach towel by the door there.  It was raining this weekend, and I put it there to catch some of the muddy paws that come through the door.
Now, let's talk movies!!
I will try to remember all of the ones we have seen in the past few weeks.  Starting with last night.  We went to see American Hustle with our friends Tom and Jae.
1. American Hustle-  Loved it!  A
2. All Is Lost- with my Robert Redford!!  C+
3. The Book Theif- A+
4. Captain Philips-A+
5. Lost Vegas-A+
6. Walking With Dinosaurs-A'
7. Saving Mr. Banks- A++
8.  Gravity-C-

I still need to see: Philamena, August Osage County, Nebraska, Twelve Years A Slave.  Today we are going to see Nut Job!!
See you at the movies!
XO  Kris

28 comments:

Jeanna said...

I love your hot water bottle cozy...very elegant.

Thanks for sharing the yarn winder tutorial...as you may know, I wasn't happy with my granny stripe afghan so I unraveled every bit of it. All of the yarn was gently placed in plastic bags until I could wind it. I considered purchasing a yarn winder but now I don't I'll have to.

Thanks for the movie ratings, enjoy Nut Job!

Teresa Kasner said...

That is a gorgeous cozy! I've never used hot water bottles but if I did I'd want to make one like yours! I'm jealous that you've seen all those movies! The only one I have seen is Philomena! I roll my balls with my hands but I hold the end out so I can pull it out of the center to work with. But that's a neat idea! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Anonymous said...

Am loving your hot water bottle cover. Don't worry about towels by the door...many of us are living that right now. We still have snow on the ground so towels in the entry way are a norm and it has been that kind of winter to be sure. We have been sitting, bundled up under blankets, watching the Olympics and loving it. Normally, we would not have time, but our sweet cheer girl has a torn MCL and is out for the season. ~Kelly

unDeniably Domestic

Betsy said...

Love, love your hot water bottle cover although I don't use a hot water bottle often. It's gorgeous. I haven't seen any of the Olympics. It's not high on my daughter & son-in-laws list of shows to watch. I'm hoping it "On Demand" on cable so I can watch and catch up when I get home. The Winter Olympics are my very favorite.
I'm hoping to go home on Wednesday if the weather cooperates.
Blessings,
Betsy

Amy at love made my home said...

Your hottie cover is so pretty, and the flowers make a lovely addition. Great tip for making the yarn cakes, I will have to try that one, I just need to stop the next cardboard tube before it hits the recycling bin!! Hope that you have a fun time watching the Olympics and going your various films. xx

Gracie Saylor said...

If I had a hot water bottle I would want it to be beautifully covered like yours, Kris! I am watching the Olympics, too. Last night just as one of the US skaters was skating her short program our power went off....sigh. The snow and ice has been crackling and thumping from the big cherry tree outside my window this morning as the temperature starts to rise. I am interested in your movie reviews...poor RR :) and will be looking for your future grades. xx

NanaNor's said...

Hi Kris, I smiled when you mentioned your hot water bottle-my youngest girl has hers in her bed at night. I thought the opening ceremony was really good too; such incredible costumes and show. It is freezing here today-I have a quilt on and Hunter is one my lap-keeping me warm. Hope you had a great weekend.
Hugs, Noreen

Pammy Sue said...

Your water bottle is adorable! Love all the pretty flowers. I laughed when I looked at the first picture of your tutorial and I saw Duke sitting in the background watching you. Ha-ha! So cute. What a sad face. I haven't been to the movies in ages! I do want to see American Hustle, but will probably wait until it comes out on Netflicks. How are you? Send me an email and give me an update or call me! I hate to call you because you are so busy, but I've been thinking about y'all!

Mereknits said...

I have never used a hot water bottle but suddenly have the urge to make three or four of these cozies. Haven't been to the movies in ages, I should get my act together and go.
Hugs to you Kris,
Meredith

Patty Antle said...

You are so good at making those flowers. Your hot water cozy is so pretty. I don't use one. I even walk barefoot around the house all the time even in this below zero weather. I know that's crazy but I get hot. My husband is always telling me to put on slippers. LOL I love how you show us little things like rolling the yarn. I have been crafting with the Olympics on in the background. I need to have sound when I am at work! Happy Valentine's Day!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Love the yarn trick!

Wow! That is a lot of movies, Kris! We never seem to find the time to go to the theater on the weekend--but I'll try to catch them on Netflix or cable TV or borrow the DVD from the library --keep the list coming!

I am also enjoying the Olympics! GO USA!!

Poppy said...

Kris,

What an absolutely darling cozy! Just looking at it makes me feel warm and cozy! I have been using a space heater to keep my feet warm, as we have only turned on the heating 3 or 4 times all winter since petrol is extremely expensive in Greece this winter. The whole country has been lighting fires to stay warm and this has created an air pollution problem.

Wow! Appreciate your reviews of the latest movies. I have been wanting to see August: Osage County for the longest time! Let me know what you think!:-D

xo
Poppy

Dawn said...

The water bottle cover is perfect with all the flowers. I have never seen the tp method for creating a yarn ball. they will look great on display now until you use them. I have only seen small bits of the olympics hubby doesn't like to watch so I have to get peeks when he's not home.

Home Meadows said...

Your hot water bottle is really pretty and I like the flowers you have added to it. We haven't watched any of the Olympics so far. I usually enjoy watching them, especially the skiing and ice skating (figure and racing). Most of the movies we see out are of the animated variety for the little one; one of these days hubby and I will get out and see an adult movie. :-) Take care, Heather

Debbie said...

Good morning! First, I LOVE your hot water bottle cozy. Soo pretty. I have never used one since I was a little girl. I remember having frequent ear infections and my mom bringing one in for me. Enjoyed the opening ceremonies too, though haven't caught as much of the olympics as we usually do yet. As for those movies, some of those we have seen too. And like you we LOVED Captain Phillips, Book Thief, and Saving Mr. Banks. I have seen Philamena and loved it and Osage County which was good, and 12 years a slave which was fantastic...It was intense, but I cried and laughed and loved the movie. We are wanting to see Nebraska. My favorite was Book Thief but I will be surprised if it gets a single thing. I thought the acting was soo good in it. OK, enough critiquing by me, lol. Enjoy your day Kris!

Sunny Simple Life said...

I never see any movies that are nominated, I am freak and hate the theater. I always am wondering what germs I am touching in there. Quinn wants to see the Lego movie so I will have to steel myself to take her. Will have to take my wipes to wipe down the seats. Lol.

podso said...

Interesting technique with your yarn balls. I'll have to try it. Your cozy looks so cute. Did you like Book Thief? I want to see that. Have a good week!

Unknown said...

Neat hot water bottle cover! I haven't seen a movie in ages... Love the yarn winder...really looks like it works great!

Unknown said...

P S Hens not laying....darn.

Beca said...

Love love love that water bottle cozy. I just pinned one the other day thinking I might make it one day but yours is so much prettier. I've enjoyed your blog and it seems we have a few things in common. Glad to have a new blogging friend.
Hugs,
Beca

Astri said...

Great idea on the yarn! I have a lot of yarn I could wind. Your water bottle is adorable. Oh we must see Saving Banks. Thanks for the reviews!

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Kris, I love your list of movies. I have wanted to see all of them and haven't seen any of them. Unless they are out to purchase we don't really see them. We have started On demand but haven't seen the most recent to watch. We also enjoy watching the Olympics, one of the downhill skiers is from our town Hannah Kearney! She got a bronze so far : )
Love your crocheting and yarn roller tip! thanks for sharing, xoRobin

Pam said...

I've never used a hot water bottle. I do love the cover you made for yours! I can't believe how many movies you have seen. I need to get to the theater.

Linda said...

I really must hone my crochet skills....
Those flowers are adorable....
We have a heating pad for our sore backs!
Enjoy your week.....
Cheers!
Linda :o)

Linda said...

What a pretty hot bottle cozy! You make such awesome things! I have only seen one of the movies...Saving Mr. Banks and I loved it! Happy Valentine's Day!!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Your hot water bottle cozy is very pretty! I do use a hot water bottle...I was lucky enough to win one all cozied up, in a giveaway! I love to curl up in a chair with it against my lower back...kind of like heated seats in the car lol!

kathy b said...

Have you watched the Crash Reel about the snowboarder who suffered a Traum Brain Injury?

Rosita Vargas said...

OMG mi pasiòn es tejer y cocinar tiene hermosos tejidos la felicito,la abrazos desde el sur de Chile y la invito a mi blog,abrazos