A busy non-crocheting week...

Well, folks, I've been busy this week, but not with crocheting. I seem to have had places to go and people to see almost everyday. I've been to the chiropractor and the dentist. I spent most of the day with my sister yesterday. She's not feeling well.

I had crochet goals for the week that I didn't meet, but I've still got the rest of the day. I wanted to finish the Ravenclaw scarf and get it and the Gryffindor scarf in the mail. This past Wednesday (August 25) marked the 4 month mark until Christmas. That's roughly 120 days to get all my gifts made. I'm hoping I can do it, but I'm more behind than I've ever been. However, I do like a challenge.

This morning I did manage to run in ends on all those bookworms and get wiggle eyes glued on. I only sustained one small burn from my hot glue gun.

Yesterday, I received the DVDs I ordered in the mail: Masterpiece Theatre's Jane Erye, the 1949 Little Women, and Lost in Austen. I've also recently purchased Darby O'Gill and the Little People, Summer Magic, and In Search of the Castaways. I do like to have good movies to crochet along with.

By next Friday, I plan to have the scarves mailed and the Christmas gifts underway. Until then, happy crocheting.

Progress at Last!

My bruises are fading and I found a little more time to crochet this week.

The Gryffindor scarf is done. All it needs is the ends run in and fringe. I have started the Ravenclaw scarf. It's very small right now. I like the pattern I came up with, but I will be modifying it when I make Gryffindor scarves for my best friend and me. We like skinnier scarves. The ones I'm making right now are about 5.5 inches wide.

This week I've also make a set of six star coasters for a housewarming party. I already had some cotton dishcloths made. I used Red Heart Super Saver's Shaded Browns. Julie is doing her house in neutrals, so I thought that color would be perfect.

I made 31 bookworms over the past week. I concentrated on variegated yarn and fall colors. They still need eyes, but I know they'll soon be given away or sold.

Christmas is still looming. I've decided to concentrate on 2 areas for starters:

-My immediate family (mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, brother, brother's girlfriend, and niece)
-The kids (I have lots of younger cousins in my extended family.)

I'm trying to devise a gift giving list for age 0-18. The first Christmas gift I give to a new baby is a baby bootie ornament. I'm trying to get set gifts for each age (boy and girl) so it will be easier on me in the long term. I'll let you know how it turns out.

This week I crocheted while watch Masterpiece Theatre's production of Charles Dickens' Little Dorrit. I loved it. Austen, Alcott, and Masterpiece are always great crocheting films.

In the coming week, I plan to finish both the Hogwarts House scarves and start on my Christmas gifts. My digital camera died this week so project pictures may be a little delayed.

Until next week, happy crocheting!

Life Happens...

Well, folks, I started this week with great intentions and then life happened. On Monday, my best friend's grandfather passed away. On Tuesday, my parents and I took some food to her house. Her parents have recently moved into a home they have built. They don't have real steps yet, just cinder blocks laid out in the shape of steps. As I was coming down them, one of the blocks gave way and I went with them. I fell mostly on the back side of my right hip. I was very dizzy for about an hour and almost passed out. My mom and friend took me to the ER. Not breaks, just bad bruising. Needless to say this has killed many of my crochet plans.

I'm still working on the Gryffindor scarf. it's almost finished. I might even finish it this weekend. Then on to Ravenclaw. My bookworms are selling well, but a little slower. I checked my inventory and I only have solid colored ones. So, I pulled out all the variegated yarn from my scrap box. The plan is to make 3 bookworms from each color.

Only 134 days until Christmas and I have zilch done. My very next project (after the Hogwarts House scarves) is Christmas gifts. Luckily, the majority on my list is small things. They shouldn't take too long.

Until next week, happy crocheting!

Hello Hogwarts!

Now that all those baby afghans and baby hats are done, I've started serious work on the Hogwarts House scarves (Prisoner of Azkaban/Goblet of Fire style). I'm working on the Gryffindor one now. It's going rather well. I'm using a half double crochet stitch. I thought single was too tight and double too loose.

After Gryffindor comes Ravenclaw. I'm very interested to see how the colors work (Royal and Warm Brown). And once the scarves are done, (that is, if I don't get any more commissions) I'll begin again on my Christmas list. My sister's afghan is a top priority as are all the other small things on the list. Currently, I have 44 people on my Christmas list. It's possible that it will get larger. It usually does.

Until next week, happy crocheting!

Baby Afghan Pictures!

Finally, some pictures for my dedicated readers! The first is of the "Baby Butterfly" afghan. I think it turned out rather well. I love the nine patch block layout. I'll definitely be using it again. The second if the "Noah's Ark" afghan. I've also finished the baby hats. Now onto the Hogwarts House scarves.