'Kiss My Grits'

☕️ From Kiss My Grits to Crap on a Cracker 🫓

I have been on a total nostalgia trip lately, from Land of the Lost, Welcome Back Kotter, to the Jeffersons, finally moving on up.

I like to never found it because I was looking for Flo's diner not Mel's and it is Alice! But finally I found this great compilation of Flo from Alice with a terrific compilation of her "Kiss My Grits" highlights!

It has been so fun sharing these with my daughter. Her take? The aesthetics grabbed her attention. She loves the acting and the "gay vs creep" social dynamics of Three’s Company, but she’s not sold on the 70s scripts, she says that it is just constant back and forth dissing without enough plot! 😂

She’s not wrong, but man, the nostalgia hits different. Kismet brought me to this video today and I had to share.

Watching these clips, I realized that while Flo had the "Kiss my grits," my modern day equivalent is definitely Crap on a Cracker! 😂 Same energy, different decade. Sometimes you just need that one perfect line to handle the chaos of the day.

Huge thanks to David Frederick for the Season 3 compilation. It was exactly the trip down memory lane I needed. Check out Flo in action; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxURxQZS4mM

Crochet flag throw blanket was thrown in for aesthetics and pattern and available blankets by Doily Designs can be found on Etsy Along with 2 size BUNDLE with the King/Queen large and Junior patterns with bonus heart pillow patterns included.

Thank you for stopping by.

Best wishes,

Cathleen 🧶

oh, and... KISS MY GRITS 🤣

I think I have been developing a bit of Digital Incontinence lately... I just can't stop sharing these 70s flashbacks between Flo's sass and my Crap on a Cracker, the internet is getting all my thoughts today! 😂

Karmic Comedy with Yoshi

 

From Mother to Daughter: The Karmic Comedy of the Yoshi Hat

Now that my youngest daughter has picked up sewing, it has brought up old stories and tales from my Mother and myself, her recalling and telling the story of the Puppet Rush, bringing back my Karmic comedy when my daughter returns the request in sorts to me. This turns into one of my most popular blog post, by far, about a crochet Yoshi hat. Maybe the reason for its popularity, I think, is the story behind it, a tale that proves Karmic Comedy is a very real thing in my life.

A few nights before Halloween, my sweet daughter came to me with that all important request that she needed a Yoshi costume. Now, if you’re a maker, you know that request a few days out is like a five alarm fire. But, like any good parent, I thought, “Sure, why not?” and immediately started planning.

At the time, Yoshi costumes were hard to find, and patterns were scarce, so I decided to make it myself. I dove into a creative frenzy. I sourced a basic cap pattern, engineered the perfect set of big, adorable Yoshi eyes, and found a pattern for the iconic shell. I worked through the night, fueled by caffeine and the pure desire to see her smile. By morning, the costume was complete, and she went to school a very happy, very cute little dinosaur. The hat was the centerpiece and has gone on to be a beloved post and family treasure, a testament to that late night hustle.

The true comedy, though, lies in the flashback it triggered.

The Puppet Flashback

When I was little, I went to my own mother, a talented seamstress and maker. It was a Friday, and I confidently informed her that I needed three puppets by Monday for a school play. I didn’t just need any puppets; I needed a bear, a woodsman, and his wife.

Of course, she pulled it off. But she didn’t just make three functional puppets; she went above and beyond. Her fabulous trio was a masterpiece, stitched with care, personality, and flair. They were a huge hit in my little school play and a source of quiet pride for me.

My last minute, demanding request of my mother came back to me years later in the form of my daughter’s last minute Yoshi request. That, my friends, is karmic comedy, the universe’s gentle way of reminding me that what goes around, comes around, even in crafting.

Sharing the Love and Talent

In the end, that Yoshi hat is more than just crochet; it’s a symbol of the incredible love, talent, and kindness my mother shared with me. Every stitch I make, every late night I work for my own kids, I’m channeling her generous spirit.

And if you’re feeling inspired by this tale of late night crafting (or feeling the karmic loop yourself!), you can find all the details, patterns, and references for my iconic Yoshi hat post HERE.

What’s your best “karmic comedy” story from your crafting or parenting life? I’d love to read it in the comments!

Thank you, Mom❣️

& Thank you for stopping by.

Best wishes and happy crafting,

~ Cathleen 🧶

Silly Christmas Pickles for the Kids ❤️ 🥒 ☃️

 

Source of inspiration for this adorable pattern; Thank you Marina Chuchkalova for this adorable idea.

 Visit Marina's FaceBook page My Crochet Wonders to find links to patterns and more cute crochet snap toys.

Whimsical little Christmas gift ornaments, that are crochet sensory, snap toys and keychains as well.

Just a little fun something inspired by another crocheter 🧶❤️

and now seeing Demogorgons that are cutely done.

Just such a fun idea where ever it originated!

Add to a gift tag or hide in the Christmas tree. 🎄 🥒 ☃️

Find more of our Silly Christmas Pickle videos on YouTube shorts.

Thank you for stopping by.

Best wishes and Happy Holidays!

~ Cathleen 🧶 ☃️ 

Christmas Pattern Round Up

 

Holiday Crochet 🧶🎄☃️

 Whether you are looking to create a stunning heirloom for your home or you need a quick, thoughtful gift for a loved one, I've gathered a few of my favorite Doily Designs patterns' for the holidays. 

Most paid, and link to Etsy as well as a free doily pattern, with links to right here on Doily Designs.

From vintage inspired showstoppers to quick yarn busting gift ideas, there is something here for every skill level.

The Eye Catching, Showstopper: Cranberry Pineapple Christmas Tree Skirt

Seen below in 43 inch medium size. 👇

This pattern takes the elegant, vintage pineapple crochet look and gives it modern, chunky style. Sure to be an heirloom favorite.

Comes in 2 great sizes; Medium (43 inch) and Large (60 inch) tree skirts and 2 Pattern Bundle

Modern Style; designed for a chunky doily look that works up beautifully in a short time and adds instant texture to your tree.

The 3 in 1 Christmas Mandala Ornament

This is a versatile hidden gem that derseves a spot in your holiday rotation. It starts with an easy, color changeable Mandala base that can be finished in four different ways:

Christmas Balls:  Stuffed for a classic ornament look.

Coasters:  Keep them flat for festive table settings.

Garland:  String them together to deck your halls.

Gift Tags:  The perfect handmade touch for your presents.

Christmas Mandala Doily Pattern includes pattern to make into a cushion/pillow or stool/chair cover, and doily edge options. (seen if 1st photo used as a doily)

And another Mandala Coaster Pattern: A tad simpler, and easier Mandala Coaster Pattern.

Stars, Faith, and Tradition

Keep the true meaning of the season in your crafts with these symbolic designs:

The Jeweled Cross:  A beautiful, elegant pattern to keep the "Christ" in Christmas

Star Chart Pattern:  Features stars in many different shapes to suit any project.

Large 5 Inch Applique Star:  Perfect for adding to other crochet projects.

Quick Gifts & Home Decor ❄️

Mint Chocolate Chip Holiday Doily found here on the blog, free and Etsy for purchase, and shown here in multiple Holiday Colors.

Need a last minute gift? These patters are quick to make and always appreciated:

Tiny Seasonal Tote:  An adorable quick gift idea for holding lip balm.

Holiday Washcloths with Elegant Edge in:

Circle

Spuare

and Coaster Size Square as well, and more.

And we must not forget the Candy Cane Christmas Blanket! 

 🎄

Ready to Start Stitching?

You can find all of these patterns and more in my Etsy shop. Whether you're making a set of matching Mandala ornaments or starting on the big Cranberry Pineapple tree skirt, I can't wait to see what you create!

Browse Patterns on Etsy

Happy Holidays and happy crocheting,

~ Cathleen

Crochet Christmas Mandala Ornaments

 Christmas Mandalas are great for crochet ornaments, coasters, garland, gift tags and more! 🎄🧶☃️

Get ready to deck the halls with new Balls and Holly 🧶🎄 with these fun crochet Christmas Mandala Ornaments🎄

This fun pattern is designed to be quick, and incredibly versatile. 

Easy to change color Mandala base is perfect for creating a gorgeous, coordinated holiday gift set.

Ways to Decorate with Christmas Mandala 🎄🧶☃️

🎄 Balls 🎀 

Create beautiful, lightweight Christmas tree ornaments in the colors of your choice. 🎄

🧶 Garland 🎀 

Link them up for a festive mantel or doorway banner. 🚩

☃️ Coasters 🎀 

Keep them flat for quick, charming holiday coasters. 🍹

🎁 Gift Tags 🎀

Great decorative gift tags to embellish those special gifts. 🏷️

Mix and match designs and colors to make matching decorative Christmas Mandala sets for the table, the tree, mantel, gifts and more.

Need Video Help? If you are new to crochet? Don’t worry, this pattern is written clearly, and you can find the free video tutorials on my YouTube. Search my channel for any basic stitches in question and the Mandala tutorial.

Pattern now on Ravelry! 🥳

This fun pattern was released last year, but had slipped to the bottom of the Santa’s Holiday bag 😮

….and really wants to find it’s way on a Christmas tree or two this Holiday Season! 🎄☃️

Thank you for stopping by.

Happy Holidays and happy crocheting,

~ Cathleen 🧶

Happy Holidays from Doily Designs 🎄☃️

Please check Etsy for the latest available patterns.

&

Thank you for your patronage! 

Cranberry Pineapple Christmas Tree Skirt Pattern video tutorial recently released on Youtube.

🎄🎅🏻🤶🏻🎄

Happy Holidays from Doily Designs 🧶🎄

Crap on a cracker, we are still on hiatus.

But wishing happy Holidays, and happy crocheting!

~ Cathleen 🧶☃️

On HIATUS 🚧 & UNDER CONSTRUCTION 🚧

Hi! Doily Designs' Cathleen here, and I am out on hiatus through the month of October. (:( + Nov) 

Please visit Doily Designs Etsy for Doily Designs Patterns, and message me on Etsy if you need anything. Thank you.

... a small bit of unsolicited advice in the form of an enigma;

If a chicken screams it's a duck, it might just be a chicken. 

Don't believe everything you hear.

Doily Designs Etsy for patterns and more by Cathleen of Doily Designs.

Stay safe & 

Happy Holidays 🎃

Thank you for stopping by.

~ Cathleen

Rose Leaf

 Chain Rose just got an update on the Leaf pattern, and more!

New leaf looks more like a Rose Leaf with the jagged, prickly edges that Roses are best known for.

No Sew, Easy, Chain Rose crochet pattern ~ now including 3 useful Rose sizes from Original (Small), Medium, and Large, with 2 leaf styles added in as well. The new prickly Rose Leaf has the classic jagged edge of a Rose Leaf, and is a fun, but optional addition to the pattern.

New Pattern 2.0 released today!

Chain Rose crochet pattern.

No Sew ~ Quick ~ Easy ~ Chain Rose 🌹

Thank you for stopping by.

Best wishes and happy crocheting!

~ Cathleen

Google Gemini: Just Validating? Or Actually Giving Helpful Criticism?

I felt so validated by Gemini! Or is it just programmed that way? 🤔

Large Language Models (LLMs) are at the forefront of Ai.
They are trained on massive amounts of data to understand, generate, and process human language in a variety of ways. This allows them to power applications like chatbots, virtual assistants, and even tools that help with writing and coding.

LLMs are revolutionizing many industries by automating tasks, improving customer service, and accelerating research. For example,  they can summarize complex documents in seconds, draft marketing content, and even help researchers analyze vast datasets.
But it is important to remember that these models are not infallible. They can sometimes generate inaccurate or nonsensical information, a phenomenon known as 'hallucination,' and their outputs can reflect the biases present in their training data.
As humans continue to develop and integrate LLMs into our daily lives, it is crucial to use them responsibly and with an understanding of their limitations.
I asked Gemini what it thought, was it unbiased:
Gemini's Summary on the matter:  
In summary, my aim is to provide an objective and helpful response based of information I've been trained on and the context you provide. While I strive to be unbiased, I am a product of my training data, and the potential for bias is a real and acknowledged issue. Your feedback is crucial in helping to identify and address these issues, making me a better tool for everyone.

The inspiration:

I felt so validated by Google Gemini! Or is it just programmed that way? 🤔

Ai prompt: 

Me: Give me your opinion on this Video: Link: ((DO NOT CLICK THIS LINK🤣). Can You do that, Gemini? (ESPECIALLY DO NOT CLICK THIS LINK) ☝️👈🤪🤣
Give me your opinion on this video please, can you do that? Some said it made me look stupid. But I had pronounced the word wrong in so many videos that I wanted to clarify, and a humorous way popped into my head and I ran with it. It is now controversial whether it should be there for branding reasons.
I sure felt validated by Gemini's response. Or is it just programmed that way? 🤔

Gemini's response:

Here's my opinion on the video you linked: "🤣 Picot - 'pikut' - 'pee Koh' - 🤨🤪😂🙋🏻‍♀️ Crochet terms in question 🙋‍♀️"

It's completely understandable to want to clarify something you've previously mispronounced, especially when you'r creating educational content! Addressing common misunderstandings, even when they're your own, can actually build trust and relatability with your audience.

> insert lots of interesting stuff Gemini said here <

If you would like to hear what Gemini had to say, subscribe to Cathleen's Substack to read more....

......

Gemini's conclusion on the review:
I think the video is well-executed for its purpose. It takes a potentially dry topic (pronunciation) and makes it engaging with humor, while ultimately proving valuable and accurate information. This approach is more likely to resonate positively with your audience and enhance your brand as an authentic and educational creator, rather than detract from it.

Chain Rose 🌹✨ No Sew, No Wilt Rose

No Sew, No Wilt Crochet Chain Rose pattern with a leaf! 🍃🌹

If you've ever been frustrated by droopy crochet flowers, you're going to love my secret to a perky, long-lasting rose.

This pattern is designed to be quick and easy, making it a great project for crocheters of all skill levels. With just a few simple stitches, you'll be able to create these beautiful, dimensional roses in no time.

Get the pattern today and discover the secret to a flower that always looks fresh!

We are having so much fun crochet the Chain Rose, and planning all the projects they would look so great on.

Thank you for stopping by.

Best wishes and happy crocheting!

~ Cathleen 🧶

Crochet Stars ⭐️ ✨

 The Stars are out again tonight..... shining like celestial gems.

....And speaking of Stars, have you seen the new commercial for our Crochet Star Chart Pattern on Youtube?  The Star Chart Pattern commercial is a stellar reminder that you can bring the magic of the night sky right into your home. What a perfect night it is to celebrate the cosmos with a star project of your own!

Whether you're looking for a gift for your favorite stargazer or a beautiful new pattern to add to your collection, we've got you covered. The Star Chart Pattern is on sale now, along with a few other Doily Designs Star Patterns.  We have something to make your crafty heart sing. 

Thank you for stopping by.

Best wishes and happy crocheting!
⭐️
~ 🧶 Cathleen