Where I've Been...

Well, I can't believe a whole month has almost passed since my last update. My apologies. I was sick for three weeks. First, a cold. Then, a sinus infection and finally, bronchitis. Needless to say, I didn't crochet much when I was sick. The only thing I made was 5 cupcake magnets for story time props. I used this pattern. I tweaked the icing part a bit and didn't make the cherry. I'll post a picture soon.

The three baby afghans are still in the works: Pigeon, baby girl flower garden, and baby boy cowboy. The colorful squares for the baby girl afghan (Marrakesh & Melonberry) are done. I've made a half dozen of the Buff squares and find the color just blah. A baby shower has been scheduled for the baby boy afghan (March 27), so I'll be putting all my energy into it and a new commission.

Luckily (or unfortunately), my sister has given me another project. She has to attend a joint baby shower on March 12 (about 3 weeks from now) and wants me to make afghans for them. They're both having girls. Both afghans will have Light Raspberry and Orchid. One will have Aruba Sea and the other will have Cornmeal. They're going to be very bright colorful afghans.

I have quite a few story time props to make in the next few weeks. Teeth, cats, raindrops, frogs, and flowers. My themes are, if you haven't already guessed, teeth, Dr. Seuss, rain, frogs, and flowers. I'm hoping to be more faithful in my updates in the coming weeks. Next Tuesday marks the 1st day of National Craft Month. I don't have anything special planned. This is a good thing as I have 5 (yes, that says five) baby afghans in various states of completion.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Three, Count Them, Three Baby Afghans

That's right! Since I last updated I've added a third baby afghan to my list. It's for a friend from grade school. This is her 3rd little girl. I either wasn't around for the 1st two or wasn't making baby afghans. That being said, I'll also be making the 2 big sisters purses. The colors for this one are Marrakesh, Melonberry, and Buff. I'm using what I have, but I think it will turn out quite nice.

All the squares for the Pigeon afghan are done. I didn't have quite enough Seagrass, so I made do with Spa Blue for 4 squares.

I'll be making some bookworms for Valentine's Day soon. I'm working on the cotton dishcloths at work. So far I've made 4.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Happy Belated New Year!

2011 is well underway and I have not been idle. I was snowed in during the past week and crocheted quite a lot. I've finished my sister's Christmas afghan. Pictures to come. I've also made the pieces for 7 snowman ormanents. I owe a friend 5 as a gift and 2 were ordered.

My plans for crocheting at work (on my lunch hour) include lots of dishcloths. I need 20+ for my 2011 Christmas list. I like to make them when the weather's still cool. The cotton tends to leave a lot of lint on your hands if the temperatures are warmer.

Oh, I also made another sweater for my family's Boston Terrier Chester. The first one was a trial run and didn't turn out so well, if you remember. This one turned out pretty well if I do say so myself. I only need to add the buttons. Weather permitting, I'll get to try it on him this weekend and get some pictures.

I haven't started my new tree decor yet. I've been debating the colors. I still like the coral and lavender, but I think the green (Honeydew) is too light to match the others. I may go with a Sage or Thyme instead.

At home, I'm working on the plans and squares for 2 baby afghans. One will be a Pigeon color scheme (from Mo Willems' picture books). I'm using Seagrass, Cornmeal, & Warm Brown. It's for an either/or baby, as in the parents don't plan on finding out, so it has to work for a boy or a girl. The other afghan has to match a farm/rodeo nursery bedding set. The colors I've picked are Ranch Red, Windsor Blue, and Warm Brown. That's 192 three-round granny squares I'll be making. Whew!

Well, that's all for this update. Until next time, happy crocheting!

Christmas 2010 Project Pictures Take 2

The afghan for my lovely cousin Kyla, the lion ornament for my niece Abby, and the heap of squares that will be my sister's afghan by no later than her birthday (January 20)

Christmas 2010 Project Pictures Take 1

The owl for my cousin who likes the series by Kathryn Lasky, the chicken for my mom, cats for my littlest cousins, a fish for my other cousin because she asked for it, & my sister's his & hers ornaments. Allow me to introduce Stephen & Betsy Claus.

And, yes, I know I have a lot of cousins.

Tis the Season...to Disappear!

I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last update. Let me assure you that I have not been idle. I am slowly finishing the Christmas gifts. The only one that won't be done by Christmas is my sister's annual afghan. She's getting a picture of a heap of squares and an IOU. Hoping to have it completed by her birthday (January 20). It should be doable. The majority of the squares are made. I just need to run in ends and sew them together.

The trend this year has been buying more and making less. This was not my choice, but entirely my fault. I'm determined that next year will go much smoother. I'm finally settled in a position and town that I love. Next year, I'd like to set some goals to keep myself on track.

I'm retiring my crocheted purple tree decorations after this year. After I finish my sister's afghan, I plan to make brand new decorations for my little tree. I have both a color scheme and a theme. The Colors (all Red Heart Super Saver): Light Coral, Honeydew, and Lavender. The Theme: Candy Confection. I've located many interesting patterns for candy, cupcakes, and even fruit. I'll keep you posted.

I purchased a new camera after Thanksgiving. Expect project pictures soon.

I probably won't post again until after Christmas. Here's wishing you and yours the joy of Christmas. Merry Christmas! Until next time, happy crocheting!

Where Have I Been?

How is it that 2 weeks have passed and I haven't updated this blog? Well, devoted readers, I have been busy with a capital "B." On the 20th, I moved into a lovely apartment. My commute is now no longer than 10 minutes. I have been enjoying the extra leisure time, but I haven't been spending much of it with a crochet hook in hand. Moving always means much unpacking, sorting, and straightening.

I've finally started back to crocheting. Christmas is upon me (25 days as of tomorrow, folks!) and I'm still not anywhere near done with my gifts. This week, I'm concentrating on those gifts I haven't started yet. Today, I finished up 5 snowball fridgies (story time props). They only need eyes, noses, & mouths. I've been making squares like crazy. The afghan for my cousin has to be done by December 19. We're having Christmas a little early with that set of relations. Hoping I'll manage to get my sister's at least partially done.

This is very unusual for me. Normally, I'm already done by this time and working on next year's. I'm enjoying the rush just a little, but really hoping next year's gift making goes much smoother.

Until next time, happy crocheting!