I Had a Lovely Vacation!

I was on vacation last week and had a wonderful time. I was very lazy and didn't crochet as much as I had planned. I spent most of my time fall cleaning my apartment.

I did finish the Cafe squares. The skein did have 16 in it. I've also made 8 Grey Heather squares. Next, I'm going to make about 8 Black squares.

I haven't started any other projects. Sometimes I'm very focused on one project and I think this is one of those times.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

A Slight Hiatus

I haven't been in much of a crocheting mood for most of this week. I've made a few Cafe squares...still hoping to get 16 out of the skein.

On Saturday (or was it Sunday?), I started the baby afghan I told you about last week. I've decided to try something different than my usual 81 three-round granny squares sewn together in 9 x 9 rows and columns. I found a few patterns last week that I thought I'd try. The first one was Baby Granny Three Ways from Red Heart Yarn. I think I worked it up to 10 or 12 rounds. I'm just not liking it. I pulled a few more patterns off the web today. This time they're from Lionbrand. I'll let you know how I progress.

There won't be a weekly update next week. I'm on vacation. It's more of a stay-cation so I can fall clean my apartment, but I am going craft shopping with my best friend. I'm going to put my Sunday afternoon to good use looking over the sale papers and printing off the stores' coupons. I want to make the most of this trip. It will probably be November before I get to go again.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Squares and More Squares

I'm still on that roll I talked about last week making squares for the brother-in-law's Christmas afghan. The Gold did make ten squares. I've also made 4 Warm Brown Squares and I'm working on some Cafe ones. I'm hoping to squeeze 16 out of the skein.

In the meantime, I've planned another baby afghan. For a baby boy who's not due until December. I'll be using what I have: Williamsburg Print and Coral. If you're familiar with these colors, you'll know this is going to be a nontraditional baby afghan.

In other news, I bought the September/October issue of Crochet Today for the scarf pattern using the new Team Spirit yarn. I'm making new Gryffindor scarves for my best friend and me. Hers is for Christmas. Mine needs to be done by early December. I'm hosting a Harry Potter Party and need it for my costume.

Red Heart has some new colors in its Super Saver line. My local Wal-mart has a few. As you can see by this picture, I was very tempted. However, I stayed firm. I'm only buying yarn I absolutely need (like Real Teal for the brother-in-law's afghan) until I've used up some of my stash. I love purple (Grape Fizz), but I really like the red multi (Chili). My sister likes the one at the bottom of the picture (Heartfelt) and is already trying to think of something I can make for her out of it.

Summer Reading ended this week. I'm "in" my office all next week getting ready for the fall story times and events. The next week, I'm on vacation. It's mostly going to be a stay-cation, but I am going craft shopping. I'm going to hit A.C. Moore, JoAnn's, Michael's, and Hobby Lobby. I already have quite a list going of the stuff I want/need or just want to look for. I'm really excited. Felt, yarn, scrapbook stuff. It will be wonderful.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

On a Roll...with Squares

Here's a picture of the Safari Stripes baby afghan. The mom loved it. She said it matched the nursery perfectly. I'm glad that I'm done with baby afghans for a while.

I've been on a roll with squares for the brother-in-law's Christmas afghan. So far this week, I've made 14 Carrot and 4 Linen. Gold is the next color. I'm hoping I can get 10 squares out of the skein I have. The layout is slowly but surely getting colored in.

I may intersperse the square making with other small projects (i.e., Christmas gifts) to keep myself from getting burnt out.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

More Progress!

I apologize for not posting an update last week. My dog Chester had some health problems and I wasn't near a computer. He's fine now and I'm back to blogging.

In the past 2 weeks, I've worked on the Safari Stripes baby afghan and made 2 baby bootie ornaments for a shower gift.

The baby afghan will be completed tonight and then I'll turn my focus and energy to my Christmas list. My brother-in-law's afghan is top of the list. I'll post a picture of the baby afghan as soon as it's received by mom and baby.

Summer Reading is also winding down. This means I'll have more energy for crocheting in the near future.

Christmas in July

This is the time of year that I like to drag out my Christmas movies and music and really get going on Christmas presents. Since I started working full time, it isn't as feasible as it once was.

I did make a little progress this week. I've ran the ends in on the Buff squares and plan to get to the Pumpkin ones this weekend. After I get the Safari Stripes baby afghan done, it will be Christmas presents all the time. And luckily, there's nothing wrong with that. The first order of business will be the afghan I owe my brother-in-law from last year, of course.

I also made 3 bookworms this week to give to a delightful nine year old girl who has been assisting me with preschool story time. As I rushed to make them, I remembered my Gold Festival days when because I was prepared for the festival, I always had a stash of things to give as gifts if needed. After Christmas, I plan to start working on building up a gift stash. Bookworms, dishcloths, apple coasters, and baby bootie ornaments all seem like grand items to include.

Speaking of babies, I need to make 2 baby ornaments soon (i.e., before July 21) to give as a gift at a baby shower.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

A Wee Bit of Progress

This week I managed to finish up the last few Buff squares for the Safari Stripes baby afghan. I haven't yet found the time to run in ends and start sewing them together. I hope to work on that some this weekend. I also need to make two baby bootie Christmas tree ornaments for a baby shower gift in the near future (i.e., before July 22).

Until next time, happy crocheting!