Sewing More Than Crocheting

This week I've been sewing more than I've been crocheting. I'm making good progress on the afghan for the couple from church. The baby shower is Saturday. I can't make it because I have to work, but I'm hoping to give it to them on Sunday.

While I was sewing away the other night, I realized I can't count. I'm short two Coffee squares. I've looked high and low, so I didn't make them. Ergo, I can't count because my layout clearly tells me I need 8 not 6.

After I wrap this one up, I'll start on the one I've been commissioned to do. I've added another color to the lineup, Coffee.

I need to get started on my Cheshire Cat costume for the Mad Hatter Tea Party in June. I'm going to use Pink Tones, Purple Tones, and a ripple pattern to make myself a scarf. I also plan to make fingerless gloves. I'm going to try my hand at sewing and make a set of cat ears on a headband.

I also found the cutest tea cozy pattern via Pinterest. I might make it to cover my teapot for the Tea Party.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Where Is My Motivation?

Sad to say, but I haven't been very motivated this week to crochet or craft much. I don't know if it's the weather (Spring is finally here with a vengeance!) or the remnants of my sinus infection.

I did finish 2 felt sets this week. They are both nursery rhymes. One is Baa, Baa, Black Sheep. The other is Chook, Chook, Chook, Chook, Chook. I have several more sets in the works. Several are for this year's summer reading program theme, "Dig Into Reading."

I finished running in the ends on the squares for the baby afghan that's for the couple at church. I started sewing the squares together last night. I think it's going to look good. I'm never sure just looking at my layout on graph paper. I color it in with colored pencils, but the colors never match especially for the variegated colors.

A friend has commissioned me to make a baby afghan for her stepdaughter. It's a boy, and I've been given complete autonomy. I do love plotting a new afghan. The colors I'll use are Williamsburg Print, Carrot, Gold, Claret, Hunter Green, Bay Print, and maybe Coral.

I plan to spend part of my weekend sewing on the baby afghan and working on felt sets. Let's hope my industriousness comes back.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

NCM 2013 Wrap Up & Craft Shopping Expedition

I'm sorry my National Craft Month Wrap Up post is a little late. Last Friday was a work holiday and I've been on vacation this week.

I crocheted/sewed 22 of 31 days in March. I made 87 baby afghan squares. I sewed together and edged 1 baby afghan. I made 2 dishcloths.

Here are pictures of the coasters, dishcloths, and baby afghan. The afghan is the super secret one for my friend Anna. I've given it to her so now I can share about it here. I used Paddy Green, Lavender, Wildflower, and Shaded Purples. The coasters and dishcloths were a wedding/housewarming gift for my friend Laura.

Last Saturday, my sister and I made a trip to Knoxville. The plan was to visit all four craft stores in town, but we only made it to A. C. Moore and Michael's. A. C. Moore had all their yarn on sale. I bought 6 skeins of Red Heart Super Saver (in colors that I cannot get at my local Wal-mart). I also got 4 skeins of cotton yarn. In Red Heart, I got Pale Plum, Light Sage, Light Periwinkle, Medium Purple, Melonberry, and Country Blue. I can't recall the names of the cotton. The Red Heart yarn was on sale for $2.17 per skein. That's 62 cents less than my Wal-mart. The cotton was on sale for $1.25. It's usually $1.89.

At Michael's, I bought 9 new rubber stamps. These come in handy for card making and teen projects at the library.

I thought I'd mentioned this earlier, but one day I took inventory of all the Red Heart Super Saver colors at my local Wal-mart. I then made a list if colors they don't have so I know I have to get those elsewhere. That day, I discovered 2 colors I didn't have. I couldn't resist buying them: Charcoal & Lemon.

I haven't been doing much crocheting on my vacation. I've been working on new felt sets for my flannel board. By the end of the month, I plan to finish the afghan for the couple at church.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

NCM Week 3 Update

Finally finished the gift for my newly married friend Laura. I just need to get it in the mil. As soon as she receives it, I'll post pictures.

I've been running in ends on squares for the past few days. It's been a busy week. I have had 3 special events this week. Next week, I have one plus a school visit. I'll also be preparing for being off for a week after Easter.

I'm going home to TN for Easter weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing friends and family and getting to go craft store shopping in Knoxville. I plan to hit them all--A. C. Moore, JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, and Michael's.

The Ides of National Craft Month

I've been quite productive in the past week. I finished the squares for my friend Anna's super secret baby afghan. I'll probably start running in ends and sewing them together tonight. It only took me 9 days to make the 81 squares.

I've also been working a little (like yesterday) on my friend Laura's wedding gift. Hoping to have it done soon.

My co-worker who retired loved her dishcloth. She said and I quote, "I love that thing!" Music to my ears. I may have to make her a few more. I like people who appreciate my ability.

Easter bookworms are probably not going to happen, but I do need to stamp my Easter cards this weekend.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

National Craft Month Week 2

My industrious mood continues. I've made lots of squares in the colors that I can't reveal. I've also been working on the gift for my friend. Her wedding was yesterday. I hope to have it finished and mailed so she can open when she returns next week.

Nothing much more to report. The weather is starting to fair up. I'm ready for spring!

Until next time, happy crocheting.

Industrious

That's what I've been this week--industrious. I only have 6 more squares to make for the blue/green/brown afghan. In the past week I've made lots of squares, a dishcloth, and finished part of the gift for my friend getting married.

I seem to crochet more on the weekends when I can crochet for a while, do something else, and then crochet again. This past Saturday, I made 10 squares and started a dishcloth. I seem to have found my groove with making squares so when I finish the ones for the current afghan, I'm going to start on the ones for my friend Anna's afghan. No color reveal. This afghan will be super secret until Anna receives it.

Happy National Craft Month! I don't have any special plans this year, just the usual daily crocheting. I may make bookworms for all my coworkers for Easter. Eventually, I'd like to have a stock of about 100 bookworms on hand. They make such good gifts.

I've created a new board on Pinterest called Baby Afghan Color Inspiration. In my caption I list the colors (Red Heart Super Saver, of course!) that the picture reminds me of. I'll add to it as I run across inspiring pictures.

Until next time, happy crocheting and crafting!