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!

Not much to report...

The Summer Reading Program and crocheting really don't mix. I've got more done this week than last, but that's not a lot. I only need to make 8 more Buff squares for the Safari Stripes baby afghan. Hoping sewing it together will go more quickly than the making of the squares.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Summer Reading Program = Not Much Time for Crocheting

The Summer Reading Program at my library started this week. As I'm the youth services librarian for 4 branch libraries, my life gets very busy during those 8 weeks. This first week is no exception. I presented 17 programs with a total attendance of 358. Do you even have to ask if I've picked up my crochet hook this week? The answer is a resounding no. (Well, now that I think on it, I may have crocheted a little on Saturday, but that's all!)

I'm going to do some R & R this weekend. Crocheting, reading, and baking are all on my agenda. I'm thinking Saturdays will be my crocheting days at least while summer reading is going on.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Ides of June Update

Happy Ides of June, readers! I've never forgotten the "Ides of March" from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. A Portent of bad luck, but I don't believe that. Sorry for the break in my weekly updates. I was on vacation last week and far away from a computer.

I did get some crocheting done while I was off, but not as much as I'd hoped. I also made 5 felt sets for my flannel board while I was off. And I went craft store shopping with my best friend. I can home with lots of felt, some tie-dye spray, a skein of Teal yarn (for the brother-in-law's afghan), 2 small cross-stitch kits, and a new rubber stamp.

This week, I haven't been able to crochet much. At work, I'm getting ready for the summer reading program that starts next week. And at home, I'm still trying to get used to working again.

In addition to a few Buff squares, I've also made 4 apple coasters this week for a co-worker who was going to another position.

I don't think I'm going to meet my June 23 deadline for the Safari stripes afghan, but with any luck I'll have it done by June 30.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

The Pigeon

The picture above is of the baby afghan I made for my friend Liz. She's a children's librarian like me and a HUGE fan of Mo Willems' Pigeon books. This afghan (which I call "The Pigeon") was inspired by the colors Mo used in his illustrations. This is the second book inspired baby afghan I've done. The first was for a Peter Rabbit nursery. The colors I used in The Pigeon are Red Heart Super Savers Seagrass, Spa Blue, Cornmeal, and Warm Brown.

I'm a little behind on my daily quota for the Safari Stripes afghan, but I plan to catch up next week while I'm off work. I'll also be working on felt pieces for my flannel board. And maybe making some apple coasters for a teacher friend.

I'm thinking about taking up cross-stitch again. I've found a cute owl pattern. Don't know when I might start it, but I'll keep you informed.

Until next time, happy crocheting!