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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.