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.