Friday, December 19, 2008

New Project

I'm working on a Santa hat for Baby E, but can't post pictures. My computer has conked out, and while a friend of my sister's attempts to revive it, I'm completely pictureless. What a bummer.

I'll post pictures as soon as I can, but there is no telling when that will be.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Lovely Linen

I finished the linen brick stitch, and absolutely love it! It's new owner picked it up yesterday. It was custom made for her, and is approximately 60"x65". It is the perfect complement to the burgundy afghan I made her a couple years ago. Here it is.



I like this afghan so much, if I had the time, I'd make one for our bed! Right now, my big UFO (unfinished object) is the braided afghan for our bed. I need to just crack down and finish it. There are so many other projects that catch my eye, and attention though.
I found another UFO in my yarn stash, and it's the perfect afghan for a friend who is expecting a baby. I started the afghan just because I thought it would be cute, so I've been working on finishing that. I'll have pictures soon. I also will be making a lavender afghan for my husbands new niece. She's my new niece too, but I didn't want to cause any confusion, or possibly imply anything about my sister :) It's been a really long time since I've made a solid lavender (if ever?), so I'm really excited about making it.
I also am working on repairing my neighbor's spread for her bed. Her great-great grandmother (I think) made it, and over the years, some of the thread has torn. She has given me the honor of repairing it. It is absolutely beautiful, and I'm working on finding the perfect thread to repair it with. I'll post pictures next time.
I'll also be making Baby E a Santa hat in a week and a half. I have to wait until the 16th to start it. You'll see why soon. I also need to make her some mittens, so her little fingers stay warm.
It's a busy busy time!

Friday, November 28, 2008

Making progress

I've been working on the Linen Brick stitch afghan lately, but in my little bit of free time, when I haven't had the afghan with me, I've accomplished this...
2 more pages in the 'pre-made' scrapbook,
I've cut the pieces for Baby E's black and pink polka dot dress. A sample of the fabric is under the ribbon...Now what? I don't know. Guess I'll call mom and ask...

Lastly, I took about 10 minutes and converted my previous centerpiece to a wreath for the inside of my front door.
I'm still not happy with the wreath, so who knows what it will become next. Plus, it fell off its makeshift hangar, and it no longer a circle. Oh well, so much for that. I'll stick with crocheting.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Turkey Day!

Just wanted to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy the day, and the family, friends, food and fun!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Random-ness

I've not had many creations to show you lately, but I have made 4 scrapbook pages. I'm trying to actually crop some things, to help shrink the hopeless pile of stuff in my craft room. the pages are quite simple, but who cares? They're done!


I'm still working on the linen color brick stitch afghan, and am making a lot of progress on it! I think it is coming out nicely, and the color is a nice neutral that goes with match most any room in the house.
I also am working on a tiny blanket for the hospital babies. I also found a pattern and will be making Baby E some mittens, now that it has gotten cold.
I've also been contemplating what our Christmas cards will be this year. I need to stop thinking and start stamping...

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Thank You

A big and sincere THANK YOU to our troops - those who have served in any way shape or form in the past, to those currently serving, and to those who will serve in years to come. Thank you for protecting us, and allowing us to sleep at night.

Some guys my dad does some work with made this video. Their company (BP) sent care packages to the troops. Please be aware that this video includes real images from war.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Holidays

Mom and I made Baby E's pumpkin costume this year, and I really enjoyed the sewing project! I can't wait to make the dress I've bought fabric for. I'll need mom's help with that too :) Here is her pumpkin, hat, and candy corn bag.

Thanks to Krissa for the encouragement, and the pointers on the pumpkin.

I have begun the beige ripple afghan, and as usual, love this pattern. Tonight, I also made a wreath centerpiece for Christmas, for our kitchen table. Here it is, sans bow. I'll post another pic once that is added. I may need to reposition some of the poinsettias once I see the bow. I thought it looked plain, and didn't realize I had forgotten the bow until I sat down to post the pic! Oh well, no big deal.
I don't have any crafts for Thanksgiving planned, but am looking for ideas!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

A Few Hats

I've completed three little hats for charity in the past two days. I found the quick and easy pattern here. It's so super quick, and has gotten me in the mode to crochet for the babies. There is such a huge need, so if you have 15 or so minutes, and can crochet, please make a little hat. If you have yarn laying around, and don't know what to do with it, this is perfect! If the yarn is just taking up space at your house, and you're tired of it, send it to me - I'll make stuff for babies!

These hats are tiny - this is a spool of thread beside it.


I've purchased the yarn to make a custom ordered afghan, so pics will be coming soon. It will be a brick stitch, and will complement an afghan I made the same client several years ago. She was one of my first clients! Thanks to her (and her daughter's) encouragement and spreading the word, she's gotten me lots of sales! By the way, her daughter is my best friend - so this isn't just a random someone! :)

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Completed!

I've completed two more projects!

Here are two candy corn bags I made this week. These are for my nephew and niece. I shortened the handles, so the bags won't drag the ground during Trick or Treating.
I started this afghan a while ago, just to use this color - I love it! It's a darker blue. Definitely appropriate for a baby boy, while not being the baby blue that everything else is. The yarn has a shimmery thread in it, which adds a little extra sparkle. I finally washed the afghan, stamped the tag, and took the picture. This afghan is for sale and measures 25 in x 28 in. Let me know if you're interested.
I also made two little hats for babies at the hospital today. I didn't take pictures, but will as soon as I have the chance. If you're interested in crocheting for charity and don't know where to donate, or what needs are, please let me know, and I'll see what I can help with.

Monday, October 20, 2008

My Little Punkin

I loom knitted Baby E a pumpkin hat for Halloween. I'm also sewing her costume. I took time off from it to make the pink and white ripple afghan shown below. I'm going to now begin candy corns bags for my nephew and niece for Halloween. They saw Baby E's and loved it. Shh, their bags are a surprise!

Here is my punkin's hat:

Here is the pink and white ripple. I really like it!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Please Pray

Please pray for Nate, Tricia, and little Gwyneth over at Confessions of a CF Husband. Tricia received discouraging news this week. To sum things up, she has CF and had a double lung transplant 6 months ago (soon after giving birth incredibly early to Gwyneth). She now has post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder. What is this, you ask... cancer.

We serve a wonderful God of miracles. He is the ultimate healer. He CAN heal Tricia. Matthew 9:35 says "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness." The Bible doesn't say He only healed certain diseases - He healed every one of them. Every single one! Isn't that amazing! What a mighty God we serve! I understand healing comes in a variety of forms, but He has us all in the palm of His hand, and He loves us. I love knowing He's holding me close. There is no doubt in my mind that He's also holding Nate, Tricia, Gwyneth, their family and friends, and Tricia's medical team there too.

My prayers are with this precious family. I hope that you'll take a moment (or many) to pray for them too.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Another One Bites the Dust!

Another project is completed!

I chose not to felt the bag. I may make another, and felt it. I need to get to work on an afghan that has been requested. It's a pink and white Ripple.




Success!

This has been quite a productive week, which makes me very happy!

I completed the repairs on the peach brick stitch. It's not the best repair jobs ever, which disappointed me, but it's done, and is out of my sewing basket. Here are the results.


Speaking of my sewing basket, I've decided it's really time to crack down and finish this quilt. I pulled out my sewing machine, and got it all set up and ready to sew my quilt back together. My to my surprise, when I unfolded the fabric to iron it, it was already done! Either the quilt fairies took care of that for me, or it has just been so long since I worked on it, I forgot I had made it to that point. I think the latter is correct.

While my machine was all set up and ready to go, I decided to mend some clothes. I was so proud that I got it threaded all by myself, then as I began to mend my first shirt, my needle got stuck in the down position - through my shirt. It would not budge. On top of that, thread was all over the place when I removed the bobbin to check things out. After working on it for quite a while, I got it taken care of and figured out I had not popped the bobbin all the way in. Oh well. After that disaster, I successfully mended two shirts, and hemmed two pairs of pants! Woohoo!

I was 'sew' inspired, Mom and I went to the craft store yesterday and came home with fabric for my daughter's Halloween costume, and a little dress for her too. Pics will be up later tracking my progress.

I also made Baby E's candy corn treat bag for Halloween. Not that she'll be able to carry it, but it will be cute while she chews on it! This picture is before it is felted, and before the handles are sewn on. That's the big question of the day - to felt, or not to felt?


Also, check out Limelight Papercrafts today - Mandy's got some really fun stuff going on for world card making day! I'll be posting my pictures for her scavenger hunt on Flickr - user ID Yamma1212, if you want to keep up.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Love Hate Relationship

I now have a love hate relationship with wire and beads.

Back about a year and a half ago I was at the craft store, and thought it was suddenly a good idea to buy beads and make a bracelet and earrings. The earrings were a breeze, at the beads were super easy to string, but I've been putting off trying to figure out the clasps, with no success. I finally figured out (thanks to Google, and YouTube) the supplies I needed to finally complete it. I made a trip to the craft store again, and collected the three things, and have been looking at the stuff since this past weekend. I decided today that it had been long enough. I worked for 1 hour tonight trying to get the crimping beads on, and after giving myself a headache, I finally finished it. Here it is.



I am happy with the finished product, but needless to say, I will not be going into the jewelry making business. At least not for now.

I decided to finally collect all of Baby E's afghans in one place, and take a picture of them.

From bottom left corner, clockwise, here they are: pink brick stitch - made by my grandmother, a white one - made by my friend, another pink brick fuzzy monster that is kinda icky - made by me, a white Exquisite - made by me, a purple don't remember the pattern name - made by me, a yellow brick made by me, (in her lap) a peach brick - made by my mom, and last, a lavender can't remember the pattern - made by me. Think she has enough? Yeah, me neither!

Friday, September 26, 2008

Repair services needed!

Baby E and I went on a walk one brisk morning this week. To keep her little toes warm, I grabbed an afghan my mom made for her. I hooked it to the stroller, so she couldn't kick it on the ground - or so I though. Halfway through our walk, the stroller wheel locked up. I stopped walking right away, and realized I had run over the corner of the afghan, and had managed to scuff it up, and rip one stitch. Here is the damage. Doesn't look too bad, right?

Wrong! Once I began ripping the stitches out in order to repair it, I ended up having to take out three rows. Here is the beginning of the repair work. Please keep in mind, one row had already been repaired in this picture! Oh no! What a mess.

I've abandoned the repairs until today. My goal is to have them finished tonight. I'll post pictures of the results.

Coincidentally, my neighbor asked if I repair afghans. She has a crocheted bedspread her great grandmother made years ago. I took a look at it, and really feel that I can fix it for her. If I do, I'll post pictures. It is beautiful.

The pink and green afghan now has a new home. It has been delivered, and will be given as a gift. I loved this afghan, especially when it was completed. I more than likely wouldn't ever have made a ripple of this color combo, but I think it is so cute! These are the colors that mom-to-be is using in the nursery. I think it will be adorable, and will definitely revisit this combo!

I include a tag with washing instructions, and another with my contact information, in case repairs are ever needed. :) I like to use matching ribbon to tie the tags on with, and also wash the finished product in baby friendly detergent, so it is literally ready for use!

Here's the finished product.


If you need repairs for any reason, whether or not I'm the one who originally crocheted the product, please let me know. I'll be happy to take a look, and see if I can help out. We've had a variety of reasons for needed repairs in our family - a rambunctious puppy, rogue scissors, a hungry washing machine, and a mommy who can't drive a stroller. Email me at Yamma1212@gmail.com.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Baby it's cool outside

We woke up to a chilly day yesterday, which prompted me to dig though my daughter's closet for a non-summer like church dress. I saw a sweater I'd crocheted for her while I was still pregnant, and decided that yesterday was the day to attempt it again.

While I was making it, I thought it would be the appropriate size for a newborn. Boy was I wrong! This is why you're supposed to make the swatch to check your gauge. Oh yeah! Oops. I put the sweater on her back when she was a tiny little thing, and the sleeves were about 2 inches too long, so back in the closet it went.

Yesterday, though, brought different results. The sweater fit perfectly, and she is precious in it! There is also a matching hat that fits perfectly as well.




I love love love this sweater. It is made of Bernat Cashmere - my child dresses nicer than me!

I can't find the yarn on Bernat's site any more, or else I'd provide you with more detail. I have a little of it left over, so Baby E may get some matching mittens this winter!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Card and Preview

Mandy over at Limelight Papercrafts posts sketch challenges, and tonight, after seeing one of her sample cards, I've accepted the challenge. This card is very similar to a card she posted today, but her card made me think of the pink and green ripple afghan I'm working on. The afghan is almost complete, I've just got to find out if I've made it large enough. Anyway, the afghan is the background for the photo.

The first version of the card uses ribbon.


This card uses yarn, in place of the ribbon. I thought it would be interesting to see what the yarn looked like, since I would give this card with either a matching afghan, or wash cloth set. I don't like this card as much though.


Here is Baby E with the pink and green ripple. Of course, this afghan can be made as a solid color, or with any combination of either two or three colors.

Want an afghan? Email me!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Scrub-a-dub-dub

In addition to working on the pink and green ripple, I've made several wash cloths this week as small gifts to two of my friends. Here they are.

Tied up as a set:






Wash cloths can be made is numerous patterns, and in any color, or colors. Want one? Want a set? Email me! These make such cute gifts, and I love them!

I'm still not sure about the pink and green ripple. I started it, and wasn't sure about the shades of pink and green, so I started another, with a pastel pink and green. I'll let the requester choose which one she likes better (hopefully tomorrow), and finish that one.

I'm tossing around the idea of opening an Etsy shop. I'll let you know what happens with that.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Prototype

I finished the cocoon!

This one is tiny, and will eventually be donated to a baby who needs it. I now have a great plan for making larger ones! There is not really a pattern for these - I reverse engineered it. A big one has been requested, so I'll reveal more details as they come...

Here is the cocoon. This is a Beanie Baby inside it, in order to show the size.


I've started the pink and green ripple. I'll post pictures as the pattern and the colors show up, and as the requester gives me to go-ahead with the afghan. I like to make sure 'clients' (whom I consider to be more friends than clients) get exactly what they want.

I really look forward to these upcoming projects. After these two, I'll be working on Baby E's candy corn Trick or Treat bag! It is such a cute pattern.

Friday, August 29, 2008

2 more completed!

Yeah! I completed two more projects today!

I decided I needed a sunflower wreath for my front door, and bought the stuff about almost two weeks ago. After staring at the stuff for that long, I decided to put it together today. It is my first wreath ever, and I'm happy with the results. Mom made the bow, and provided the floral wire. I'm still a little bow challenged, so thanks mom! It's not perfectly fluffed here, but looks great on our door. I'm currently looking for a black door hangar, because the silver doesn't quite match.

I also finished the granny square baby afghan. The photos are from far away, a mid distance, then close up.





I am really happy with it, and will be making more of these, experimenting with color, and yarn. I'll also be making a tag for it (with washing instructions) and a card, so I'll post the completed set, when that happens.

Next in line to be finished is the tiny baby cocoon, and then a pink and green 'custom' afghan. I'm thinking it may be a ripple, but am keeping an open mind. I will also be completing some washcloths for my college roommate, and her little girl, as well as my mother-in-law.

Want an afghan? Want something else you've seen on this blog? Email me! You pick the color(s), and the pattern!

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

My First Granny

Caroline, over at labpugglechi, is working on her first granny squares afghan, and is brought back lots of memories...

Back when I first started to crochet, I got a granny squares pattern from a co-worker. I thought it looked 'fun.' Great! Another project! Woohoo! I promptly went yarn shopping, and came home with between 6 and 8 skeins of yarn. Do you realize that's over one and a half MILES of yarn? Yes, miles. Like the same distance the grocery store is from my house. I was in heaven in all that yarn.

In the meantime, I started a new job. I had to study for 1 month to get a securities license at this job, before I actually started working. In between practice tests, reading, etc, I would crochet granny squares. I crocheted, and crocheted and crocheted. I didn't think I'd ever get enough squares made. I needed something like 360. Keep in mind these are about 3 inches by 3 inches. Of course, I got tired of that afghan and stopped working on it. A couple years later, I resumed work, and realized I'd learned a lot about crochet while I was away. I realized every single square I'd completed to date was going to come unraveled because I hadn't tied them correctly. Eventually I got the squares made, and sewn together.

Into the washer the afghan went, and out of the dryer it came -with lots of holes. My squares had started to unravel , and my strips separated from one another. After numerous repairs, here we are today. I drug the afghan out of a box this week to display it with my others. Of course, I found 4 holes. I repaired them last night, and took a picture of it this morning, so I could show it to you, and lo and behold, while folding it to put on my quilt rack, I found another hole. So, as soon as I post this, another hole is getting repaired.

Whatever, at least it's done, and here it is!


Caroline has posted several of her squares, and I think her afghan will be very pretty!

Here is a peek of my Unfinished Object, the braided afghan:


I've been busy working on a baby gift, which is why there's been a lack of posting. I'm also working on the baby cocoon, and have had another request for an afghan. The gift afghan is a giant granny square, and just needs a border on two sides, which I hope to complete tomorrow. I'll post a picture when it's completed!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Past projects

Hello to all! I've been busy busy working on some projects. Here they are:
A pink brick stitch:

Baby E can finally fit into her ballet slippers. Not that she'll keep them on, but they're cute while they last!


Now, a look back at my crochet past. I used to work in a call center, and to help pass the time, I would crochet. My boss didn't mind, and it took off from there. Work is where I actually sold my first afghan. I had never really thought about trying to sell anything before, then one day, a security guard asked if I sold the things I made. She would see me carrying in different projects, and loved to look at my work. She asked if I'd make a pink afghan (like the one above) for her little girl, so I did. Afterward, she wanted one for her son too. Her husband said no, fearing it would look to babyish. She told me her son was a huge Carolina Panthers fan, so off I went to Michael's. I created him an afghan, and they loved it, dad and all. I liked it so much, I made my then-boyfriend one. I never actually gave it to him though, but I figured it was ok, because we got married, and he got it anyway :) Here is 'our' Panthers afghan.
While buying yarn for another project one time, I found this yarn - I believe it's Red Heart plush, and I don't even know if it is sold any more. I started crocheting, and didn't realize how big the afghan was. It is big enough to cover a queen size bed.
I also found this pattern in one of mom's pattern books, and thought I've give it a try. Love it too!
I'm now off to work on a white granny square afghan I've been working on this week. It's to give to a baby boy. I've also been looking around to see if I can find a cute pattern for a pink and green afghan someone has requested. I'll let you know what I find!

Monday, August 11, 2008

Business card anyone?

I found this cute business card holder online, so of course, I had to try it. I plan to stamp my own cards, that way, they're personal, and don't all have to be the same! I'll show you some when I get around to that...

Here's the holder, with my own adjustments. The pattern works well, but I tweaked it to suit my needs.



I've had a request to try and figure out a baby cocoon. I'm well on my way to completing my first one on the Knifty Knitter. I'm making up the pattern based on pictures I've found. It's a tiny one, which will eventually be donated to a local hospital for a little baby. Sadly enough, it's a need far too often.

If you like to crochet or knit, please consider doing it for a hospital. There are tons of free patterns online for hats, booties, blankets, socks, layettes etc. Baby items in all sizes are needed - just contact your local hospital to find out what they need most. The items are so tiny they don't seem to take much time, or yarn, at all.

Happily enough, the cocoons are easily made in different sizes, whether they're for a tiny preemie, or a newborn's first photo. I'll be posting pictures as soon as I finish it.

I also need to get a pink brick stick afghan made ASAP, so I'm dropping everything to work on that. It goes very quickly when I sit down as work on it. I got quite a bit done while watching the Olympics last night.

Happy Monday to you!

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Ready for Fall?

I know it's still quite warm these days, but it's never too soon to think about fall, winter and Christmas! Check out the scarves below. They are all for sale - $15 each (plus shipping of your choice.) The dimensions of each scarf follow the pictures, as does a general yarn description.


From left to right:
1) 64" x 4"- Lion Brand Homespun yarn - Williamsburg
2) 54" x 4 1/2" - Not sure of yarn brand, but it is thick, variegated, with a little shimmer to it
3) 61" x 4 1/2" - Not sure of yarn brand, but it is super soft. It's navy blue with a variegated eyelash of pinks and yellows.
4) 73" x 5" - I believe it is Lion Brand Homespun - Baroque
5) 53" x 3 1/2" - Eggplant yarn with a variegated eyelash.
6) 79" x 3 1/2" - Lion Brand Homespun - Gothic

From left to right:
1) 73" x 2 1/2" - Royal Blue background with variegated Fun Fur eyelash. Fiji, I believe.
2) 76 1/2" x 3 1/2" - Bernat Denim Style - Jordache - Black and White
3) 70" x 3" - Purple Background with variegated Moda Dea eyelash yarn - Rainbow, I'm pretty sure.
4) 50" x 4" - Yarn Bee, Baby Bee Pink
5) 58" x 2 1/2" - Purple Background with Moda Dea - Also Rainbow.
6) 70" x 4 1/2" - Lion Brand Homespun - Edwardian
7) 69" x 2 1/2" - Purple background with variegated Fun Fur eyelash. Also Fiji.
8) 73 1/2" x 4 1/2" - Red Heart Holiday yarn. White with a silver shimmer.

Email me if you're interested in one of these scarves, or in having one custom made. Scarves can be made with any type of yarn, in any color, and any width and length. Prices may vary for custom made scarves, depending on the yarn chosen.

Scarves are machine washable, and dryable.