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!