Back in the Saddle...

I've found myself wanting to crochet more this week and even planning projects in my head. The purse and matching bookworms went over well with my five-year-old cousin. Her response, "I love it! I love it!" Well, to be honest, this is the way she responded to all her gifts.

The baby bootie ornament was also a hit. I had to explain it to the mom-to-be so I think next time I'll include a Christmas card that explains that this is the baby's first Christmas ornament. I want to adjust the pattern a bit--sometimes the bootie just doesn't look like a bootie.

After confirmation from Em, the second Heroes hat is under way. This one needs to be a bit bigger so I've added 4 stitches to the last increase round.

I've decided to put my sister's afghan on hold for the moment. I'm just tired of working with those colors. So now I'm planning the afghan for my cousin. Lots of pinks and purples.

Until next time...happy crocheting!

Christmas is Coming,

The goose is getting fat,
Please put a penny
In the old man's hat
~Traditional Nursery Rhyme

Ack! Only 217 days until Christmas and I've barely made a dent in my list. As you know I've got about 6 afghans on my list this year. To be perfectly honest, I'll be amazed if I get 2 of the 6 done. Ornaments are also popular on my list this year. I've had several requests for my crocheted ornaments (bells, stockings, wreaths, and gingerbread houses).

I do have several dilemmas on my list this year. What to make for a 10 year old girl who loves to read? (She already has plenty of my bookworms.) What to make for a 12 year old boy who only likes video games? My mom has decided she wants a hat with earflaps and tassels. That should be fun to make. I haven't found a pattern I like yet. I've also decided to make my niece a new ornament every year. By the time she's 18, she'll have 19--enough to fill a small tree. The problem is deciding what to make.

In other news, I've been a bit more productive this week. I've made several bookworms, 5 for a birthday gift and some to sell. I've also made a baby bootie ornament. My cousin's wife is expecting a little boy this Summer. The shower is this weekend. I used to make hats for showers, but babies don't need hats in the summer. And a baby bootie ornament (Baby's 1st Christmas) is a better keepsake. The Heroes hat is the next item on my agenda. Then it's full steam ahead with my Christmas list.

Super Secret Birthday Present

Here it is, the super secret birthday present revealed. It's a kokeshi doll. Many thanks to Michelle McLaughlin at Suncatcher Eyes for the pattern. It didn't turn out quite like I'd hoped, but it's still pretty darn cute.

I may experiment a little bit and make myself one. The reason I made it for my friend is that she lived in Japan for a couple of years while her dad was in the Navy. And then we both took Japanese history in college.

What I learned from this endeavor: my embroidery skills need serious work. That's a butterfly in her hair and flowers on her dress. Yes, if I hadn't told you, you never would have guessed. They just look like a bad attempt at embroidery.

Slowing down...

I don't know why, but my crocheting has slowed down considerably this week. I've stopped crocheting at work. I hadn't in awhile and I've taken up another endeavour on my lunch hour--walking.

I finished the 4 bookworms for my friend at church and the ones that I'll be selling at a local location.

I've been working a little on the purse. I think granny squares have ruined me for large projects. The purse isn't exactly huge, but it is a lot of solid row crocheting. I think I like the smaller, instant gratification projects. Could this be a sign of my generation?

Hoping to finish the purse and the matching bookworms this weekend. And then get started on the 2nd Heroes hat. Not sure what I'll do then.

All quiet on the crochet front...

Now that the Peter Rabbit baby afghan is finally done, I'm finding myself at something of a loose end crochet-wise. The super secret birthday present/belated Christmas gift was completed in record time. I mailed it off yesterday to VA. It didn't turn out quite like I'd hoped, but I was pleased nonetheless. More about that later (when my friend has received it).

I'm working on the purse for my five year old cousin. I'm using Red Heart's Orchid (a nice light purple.) I'm making 5 bookworms in matching colors to go inside.

I also have an order for 4 bookworms for stocking stuffers. Two are already done (leftover from the ones I made for work). And I'm thinking of making some to sell at a local location.

Just remembered that I promised to make another Heroes' Hat for my friend Em's friend. This is a paying gig so as soon as I've got the birthday presents completed, it's on to the hat.

Crocheting at work (on my lunch break) has slowed down considerably. I find myself surfing the net or reading instead of crocheting. Primarily because I can't drum up much interest in the squares for my sister's Christmas afghan. I usually have a hiatus midway through. What can you expect with 100+ squares?

Speaking of my sister, my weekly update is a little early because I'm taking tomorrow off to attend her college graduation. In a few days, we'll have a registered dental hygienist in the family. I'm so proud of her.

Peter Rabbit Afghan: Done!

The Peter Rabbit afghan is done and on its way to VA. The other baby afghan pictured above is one I made for a friend at church recently.