Well, Hello Summer!

Faithful readers...I haven't deserted you. My work life has been incredibly busy as it always in the summer. I only have one more week of events and then just a few special events for teens and older kids while I recoup from the madness that is summer reading at a public library.


I did go through a huge crocheting slump since my last update in late May. Not sure why...tiredness, lack of interest.


I've picked up my hook again and I'm working on squares for a pastel baby afghan. I've also made a few bookworms and dishcloths. I also have some coasters I was commissioned to make, but they aren't really striking my fancy at the moment.


Yarn is on clearance at Wal-Mart. Although the term clearance is debatable as the price per skein of Red Heart Super Saver is at a record high of $2.88. I bought a few skeins the other day on clearance: Cornmeal, Plum Pudding, and Shaded Browns. Red Heart Super Saver has 6 new colors. I'm impatiently waiting for them to make an appearance at my store. Three solid colors: Flame, Jade, & Rogue. Three Variegated Colors: Icelandic, Bright Mix, & Mulberry Mix.


Interestingly, Bright Mix reminds me of Anna from Frozen and Icelandic reminds me of Elsa. Coincidence? I don't know, but Frozen is extremely popular.


Until next time, happy crocheting!

Happy Three Day Weekend

Not much to report. I finished the squares for the Sully baby afghan. Didn't feel like sewing them together so I started on squares for another. This time it's pastels (Lemon, Pale Plum, Honeydew, Light Coral, Aruba Sea). Haven't crocheted much this week, but I'm hoping to make up for that over the holiday weekend.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

May...

Sorry for the lapse in posts. As it's May and summer is looming, my work life is about to get very busy...summer reading program for 8 weeks!

I finished the last baby afghan by the skin of my teeth on the day of the baby shower. Yes, I took it to the shower and got to see the mom-to-be's reaction. It was wonderful. Here's a picture:

I really like how the color scheme and layout worked out. 

In the meantime, I've made a couple of dishcloths and started another baby afghan. This one's not for anyone. I just like making baby afghans. I'll attempt to sell it when it's done. The colors are inspired by Sully from Monsters Inc: Turqua, Orchid, & Dove. I wanted to use Pale Grey, but I was out and I'm trying not to buy any more yarn if I can help it.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Happy Easter!

Since I last updated, I've been hard at work on squares for the latest baby afghan. The shower is this Saturday and I was hoping to have the baby afghan done so I could take it as my gift.

I've had a bit of a set back. Last Friday, my Boston Terrier Chester was viciously attacked by a pit bull. His wounds were severe and I had to have him put down. Needless to say, I wasn't crocheting much for a few days. I'm still very sad and mourning him, but keeping busy helps and one of the ways I keep busy is to crochet.

All the squares are done as of yesterday and 51 of them have ends ran in. I only have to to the last 31 and then I can start sewing it together. I'm still confident I can get it done for the shower.

I also have a household shower to attend this weekend for my cousin and his wife. I wanted to make them something, but my attention has been focused on the baby afghan. I think I'll buy them a gift and give them an IOU for a handmade gift (likely dishcloths).

Going home to TN for the holiday weekend. Looking forward to visiting Mckay's Bookstore and all the craft stores. I need to inventory my felt and see if I need any colors. Wal-mart over here only carries about 6 colors.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

National Craft Month 2014 Wrapup

Well, I wasn't near as productive in March as I'd hoped to be, but what I did accomplish is nothing to sneeze at. I crocheted 16 out of 31 days and did the following:

• Finished a baby afghan
• Finished an infinity scarf
• Made 34 granny squares for my brother's afghan
• Made 19 baby afghan granny squares for my current baby afghan in progress

Part of the reason behind me not crocheting more was that I worked 3 out of 4 Saturdays in March. I have tomorrow off and I'm looking forward to crocheting while watching season 2 of Beauty and the Beast from 1987.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

almost at the end...

March is almost gone and I have to report I haven't been as diligent with my observation of National Craft Month. I've been quite busy at work and some days I just don't feel like picking up my hook.

I'm back to making baby afghan squares (three-round granny squares). The family finally picked out a nursery set and so I could plan the afghan. I'm using blues, browns, and greens with a hint of coral thrown in (Country Blue, Soft Navy, Coffee, Cafe, Tealeaf, Hunter Green, and Coral). The layout is one I found on Pinterest. It only called for three colors, but I liked the idea of doing lights and darks with a contrasting color.

I'll be writing a summary post next week detailing what I did accomplish during National Craft Month 2014. 

Until next time, happy crocheting!

The Ides of National Craft Month

Tomorrow marks the middle of the month and I'm pleased to say that I've crocheted 11 out of 13 days thus far. I finished the infinity scarf and then started back on squares for my brother's afghan. I should finish them soon, but I don't know that I want to sew them together right away. I've been wanting to make some bookworms so I may do that after I finish the squares. I also need to start working on Christmas presents.

Until next time, happy crocheting and crafting!

Happy National Craft Month 2014!

National Craft Month is here again. I don't have any special plans for this year...just to finish up projects I've been working on. Namely, the infinity scarf and my brother's afghan. If I get all that done then I'll probably start in on my Christmas list.

I finished the last baby afghan I was working on. I still don't have colors for the next baby afghan, but I've picked out the layout. It's something different so I look forward to working on it.

Here's a picture of the baby afghan. It's laid out like a log cabin quilt square. I like how it turned out and I'll probably use the layout again.

Back in high school, my best friend and I used to celebrate National Craft Month by setting aside a day for crocheting. Usually we'd pick a new pattern to try. These days I just try to crochet as much as I can during March.

Until next time, happy crocheting~

Finally Going to Meet a Deadline!

I gave myself a deadline for the three baby afghans I'm currently working on. I wanted to get them done by the end of February. Thanks to snow days and a bout of shingles (I know...surprised me, too!), I've had plenty of time for crocheting. Two of the three are done and I should have the third finished by Friday. I also made a dishcloth as a gift. Still waiting to hear about colors for the next baby afghan. In the meantime, I guess I'll finish that infinity scarf.

  Navy, Petal Pink, & White

 Perfect Pink, Green Tones, & Buff

And here's that pixie hat I mentioned in my last post. 

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sorry it's been so long since my last update. We've had two bouts of bad weather and I've been busy with getting caught up at work and crocheting at home.

I've finished the baby afghan I was commissioned to make (White, Soft Navy, & Petal Pink). Picture to come. I should be finishing up the baby afghan for my sister's friend (Perfect Pink, Green Tones, & Buff) tomorrow. I've started the afghan for my niece (Grape Fizz, Charcoal, Orchid, Light Grey, and Shocking Pink), but have several more squares to make.

I've also made a dishcloth, a baby bootie ornament, a pixie hat for a baby, and started an infinity scarf. When you're stuck at home in the cold and snow, you get lots done!

Until next time, happy crocheting!

The end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014

Sorry it's been so long since my last update. I was busy with work, Christmas crocheting, and family. I managed to finish more handmade gifts than I expected. I'm hoping to be able to do better this year in getting an earlier start.

I'm currently working on squares for baby afghans. I have three to finish by the end of February: one for my sister's friend (Perfect Pink, Green Tones, & Buff), one for my new niece Cadence (Grape Fizz, Charcoal, Orchid, Light Gray, and Shocking Pink), and one for a friend's great granddaughter (Petal Pink, White, and Soft Navy). I also have another baby afghan pending, but the due date isn't until July.

Hopefully when I get all these baby afghans done, I can commence on Christmas.

Here are a few pictures of my Christmas projects:

 Mice for two great girls who spend their summers in NC.

 Cats for the kids who are celebrating their second Christmases.

 

Baby bootie ornaments for the babies celebrating their first Christmases. 

 A Downton Abbey inspired gift for my friend Laura (modeled by coworker)...a cloche hat and an infinity scarf. This was the first infinity scarf I ever made. I modified a pattern I already had.

 Heart ornaments for my sister.

Snowflake ornaments for my sister.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

22 Days Til Christmas!!!

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. I went to TN as planned, but didn't get any crocheting done. Too much shopping and visiting.

I'm not feeling so well this week. The up & down temps are playing heck with my sinuses Plus it's a busy week at work. I have a Harry Potter Yule Ball and a Fancy Nancy Christmas Party in addition to my regular preschool storytimes.

My goal for the week is to finish up those presents that will be mailed (run in ends, sew pieces together, add eyes, etc.)

And them I'll carry on with my lists. At this point with Christmas 3 weeks away I'll be prioritizing those lists in the order I'll be seeing people.

I've been commissioned by a friend to make a baby afghan for her first great-granddaughter. The mother-to-be chose the colors and I think it's an interesting combination: White, Soft Navy, and Petal Pink. I won't be starting it until after the New Year.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Time Flies...When You're Crocheting!

Sorry it's been so long since my last update. I've been deep in my Christmas crocheting. I've mainly been working off my kids list, but today I realized I need to be focusing on gifts that need to be mailed. There are several on the kids list and one on the adult list.

I'm working on a couple of mice right now and will then move on to some baby bootie ornaments and probably a hat and scarf.

I'm woefully behind in my Christmas preparations. I haven't wrote my annual letter or taken Chester's holiday pictures. I'm hoping to get a start on this before I travel to TN for the Thanksgiving holiday. While I'm gone, I plan to crochet granny squares for 2 baby afghans. One for my new niece and the other is for my sister's friend.

Until next time, happy crocheting and Happy Thanksgiving!

November

That's right. Today is the first day of November. That means we're about 53 days away from Christmas. I hope I can keep up this industrious streak I'm having. I'm almost finished with the last scarf on my list. From there I have several options: purses, hats, mice, and baby bootie ornaments.

My second annual Christmas Tea Party & Craft Session with my best friend is coming up on Veterans' Day. Which means I'll be up to my eyes in cleaning, decorating, and cooking. On the bright side, my decorations will be up by November 11 and I won't have to worry with it later.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Scarves!

Since my last weekly update, I have been attempting to do better with my New Year's resolution to crochet every day. Especially since Christmas is coming quickly.

I've made two scarves and started a third. Pictures will be forthcoming.

Here's a blast from the past. This afghan (a big granny square pattern) has been hanging out in my cedar chest since I made it 10-11 years ago. I've been purging a lot of stuff and decided to gift it to my sister's mother-in-law.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Only 10 Weeks Til Christmas!

Sorry it's been awhile since I've posted an update. Work has been hectic to the nth degree and isn't letting up. I've been crocheting some: squares, a cotton Swiffer cover, and I've started the first of many Christmas gifts.

I made a new list that only has kids under 18 on it. My goal is to get something made for them and then tackle the rest of my list as time permits. I'm going to be making quite a few scarves.

Went to the craft festival my family used to set up at years ago this week. Lost of crocheted stuff being sold. One of these days, I'll set up again and just sell crocheted Christmas tree ornaments. I'll need a few years to prepare.

Here's a picture of the Swiffer cover. It works great. I plan on making 3 more so I'll have 2 for dry and 2 for wet. I modified a pattern I found online. I'll link to it when I can recall the site.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

October

October is one of my favorite months. Temperatures are getting cooler. The leaves are changing colors. I have been crocheting some. I finished all the Blue squares for my brother's afghan and have started on the Soft Navy squares. I have enough Blue left to make Chester's pirate hat.

Last week, I received an unexpected package in the mail. Yarn from my friend Laura. She thought I would get some use out of it. Indeed I will! I did share some with my cousin who is just starting to get into crochet.

I've also been working on several felt sets for my library events.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Fall, Synonymous with Sinuses

Nothing at all to report. I haven't crocheted in almost 2 weeks. I ended up at the doctor on Saturday and found out I wasn't suffering from allergies. I was fighting off a sinus infection. Needless to say, I haven't felt like crocheting much.

I'm hoping to get back to my crocheting this weekend. I'm planning to make Chester (my dog) a pirate hat for Halloween. We're going out with some friends that night and I already have sort of a costume from the pirate parties I've been hosting at the branch libraries this month.

I still have several felt sets in the works including a new set of owls. I'll probably work some on felt stuff this weekend, too.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Ready for temperatures to drop and leaves to fall!

Just a quick update. I've not been crocheting much lately. My allergies have been acting up so I just crash most days when I get home. I'm still working on squares for my brother's afghan. And I'm still planning to make that Swiffer cover and about a hundred Christmas gifts...wind and weather permitting!

Until next time, happy crocheting!

A Belated Update

I meant to post an update last week, but time got away from me. I've been working away on squares for my brother's afghan. I finished the Stars & Stripes squares and have been using up odds and ends (Shaded Blues, Royal, Blue, Soft Navy) before I start in on the skeins of Blue and Soft Navy.

My sister wants me to make a baby afghan for one of her friends, but we have decided on colors yet. The girl isn't finding out the sex of the baby so we're planning on going green and neutral.

As soon as I get bored with squares, I plan to crochet some reusable/washable covers for my Swiffer.  I'm trying to be more green in my daily life.

Until next time, happy crocheting!