National Craft Month 2014 Wrapup

Well, I wasn't near as productive in March as I'd hoped to be, but what I did accomplish is nothing to sneeze at. I crocheted 16 out of 31 days and did the following:

• Finished a baby afghan
• Finished an infinity scarf
• Made 34 granny squares for my brother's afghan
• Made 19 baby afghan granny squares for my current baby afghan in progress

Part of the reason behind me not crocheting more was that I worked 3 out of 4 Saturdays in March. I have tomorrow off and I'm looking forward to crocheting while watching season 2 of Beauty and the Beast from 1987.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

almost at the end...

March is almost gone and I have to report I haven't been as diligent with my observation of National Craft Month. I've been quite busy at work and some days I just don't feel like picking up my hook.

I'm back to making baby afghan squares (three-round granny squares). The family finally picked out a nursery set and so I could plan the afghan. I'm using blues, browns, and greens with a hint of coral thrown in (Country Blue, Soft Navy, Coffee, Cafe, Tealeaf, Hunter Green, and Coral). The layout is one I found on Pinterest. It only called for three colors, but I liked the idea of doing lights and darks with a contrasting color.

I'll be writing a summary post next week detailing what I did accomplish during National Craft Month 2014. 

Until next time, happy crocheting!

The Ides of National Craft Month

Tomorrow marks the middle of the month and I'm pleased to say that I've crocheted 11 out of 13 days thus far. I finished the infinity scarf and then started back on squares for my brother's afghan. I should finish them soon, but I don't know that I want to sew them together right away. I've been wanting to make some bookworms so I may do that after I finish the squares. I also need to start working on Christmas presents.

Until next time, happy crocheting and crafting!

Happy National Craft Month 2014!

National Craft Month is here again. I don't have any special plans for this year...just to finish up projects I've been working on. Namely, the infinity scarf and my brother's afghan. If I get all that done then I'll probably start in on my Christmas list.

I finished the last baby afghan I was working on. I still don't have colors for the next baby afghan, but I've picked out the layout. It's something different so I look forward to working on it.

Here's a picture of the baby afghan. It's laid out like a log cabin quilt square. I like how it turned out and I'll probably use the layout again.

Back in high school, my best friend and I used to celebrate National Craft Month by setting aside a day for crocheting. Usually we'd pick a new pattern to try. These days I just try to crochet as much as I can during March.

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!

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!

The End of NCM 2011

Well, National Craft Month 2011 wasn't very spectacular in terms of my celebration. I hurriedly made 2 afghans for my sister to give as shower gifts. And then I worked on squares for another afghan. I’m about squared out. But I have several more baby afghans to get finished. Spring is here and Easter isn't far behind. I plan to make some bookworms for the holiday--I always do. I may crochet some rabbits for rabbit story time at the end of April. Until next time, happy crocheting!

Up to my ears...

...not in crochet, but in summer reading plans. I'm still a little crocheted out from the rush job on those two baby afghans. I'm slowly making the squares for another baby afghan. I haven't celebrated National Craft Month as lavishly as I normally do, but this is the first time I've had a full-time job at the same time.



Hope everyone is enjoying the crafty month. Until next time, happy crocheting!

Happy National Craft Month!

Hello, folks! It's March and that means one thing for us crafty people...it's National Craft Month. This year, I don't have an official celebration planned. I'm up to my eyeballs in baby afghans. The two for my sister need to be done by 12 noon this Saturday. The good news is that one is already halfway together and I only have one more skein of yarn to work up. They're turning out very pretty. The colors my sister chose are very springy (Light Raspberry, Orchid, Cornmeal, Aruba Sea).

After I finally get those two done, I have another baby afghan that needs to get done this month. The baby shower is set for the 27th. Then there's those 2 others I'm working on. And did I mention, 2 more ladies I know are pregnant???

Hoping to make a few bookworms this month. I'd like to send them to friends for the upcoming holidays. And I still haven't started my new tree decorations. I've changed the color scheme a little. Instead of Lavender, Honeydew, & Light Coral, I'm going to use Lavender, Coral, and Tea Leaf.

I plan to post updates every week along with an original pattern or two and maybe some project pictures this month. So stay tuned!

Until next time, happy crocheting!

NCM 2010 Wrap-Up

March has officially ended (like a lamb, I'm happy to report) and so has National Craft Month. I had a great time crocheting through the month. I was rather surprised with the amount of crocheting I got done.

Here are my totals for the 31 days of my NCM Celebration:

• 21 four-round squares for my sister's Christmas afghan
• 61 three-round squares for my friend's baby afghan
• 5 three-round squares for the Peter Rabbit baby afghan

My crocheting fun is not ending because National Craft Month has. You know me...I always have a project in the works. My current one is a paid gig. A friend's co-worker is having a baby. They're decorating the nursery in Peter Rabbit. Enter me, my crocheting skills and the perfect color scheme for a Peter Rabbit baby afghan. I'm using Red Heart's Frosty Green, Buff, and Rose Pink. The afghan is for a baby girl. Another option would be Buff, Rose Pink, and Spa Blue. For a boy, I would use Frosty Green, Spa Blue, and Buff.

I've enjoyed posting these weekly updates so much that I plan/hope to continue them. I like to report my progress on a regular basis.

Until next time...

NCM Week 4 Update

This week has been a little bit different as I've started a new job. The hours are reasonable so I've still found time to crochet. I also crochet a bit on my lunch hour. Here's what I've accomplished during the fourth week of National Craft Month:

24 three-round granny squares for my friend's baby afghan (That's all 81 I need!)
almost 2 four-round granny squares for my sister's Christmas afghan

As you can tell, the baby afghan is on its way to completion. The 81 squares are done. The ends are run in. I've already started sewing them together. Not sure what I'll do when it's done. I still have quite a few squares to make for my sister's Christmas afghan. I may start the squares for one of the other afghans on my Christmas list. Maybe my aunt's or my brothers. W only have a few more days of NCM left (5 or 6 by my count). I hope you enjoy the last days as much as I plan to.

NCM Week 3 Update

Spring is springing here in my little corner of the world. The warmer weather and sunshine has had a great affect on my crocheting. Shaking off the winter blahs, I am in a crocheting mood. That is, when I can convince myself to come in from enjoying all the beauty outside. Without further ado, here's what I've made during this third week of National Craft Month:

• 10 three-round granny squares for the friend's baby afghan (Color: Red Heart's Soft White)
• 13 four-round granny squares for my sister's Christmas afghan (Color: Red Heart's Aruba Sea)

We only have 11 (or 12 depending on how you count) days left in this year's National Craft Month Celebration. I'm having a ball with my celebration. How about you?

As previously resolved, the bookworms are on a temporary hiatus until April.

See you next week!

NCM Week 2 Update

This week has been much more productive crochet wise. Without further ado, here are my accomplishments during the second week of my annual National Craft Month Celebration.

• 27 (three-round) granny squares for a friend's baby afghan
• 6 (four-round) granny squares for my sister's Christmas afghan

Even as I work on these squares, I find myself plotting ways and means for the others. The one for my brother will be purely hodgepodge. The one for my cousin will also be hodgepodge, but with more of a plan using her favorite colors. For my one friend, I already have the yarn--different shades of blue. For the other friend, she's made her preferences known, but I don't have yarn that suits them just yet. And I have a bunch of pinky coral wool yarn that my sister wants me to turn into a baby afghan. No she's not pregnant, she's just planning ahead. Several years ahead to be exact.

I've been thinking about the bookworms, but haven't made any yet. I think the bookworm making may rollover into April. I have lots of variegated yarn that will make great bookworms. I think I'll make three of each color.

And now, back to the crocheting!

NCM Week 1 Update

What with moving and the weather, I'm sorry to report that I haven't accomplished much crochet wise during this first week. The things I have completed are bringing me closer to crocheting.

I am settled enough after the move to actually find my crochet stuff. I sorted through my yarn and gave a bunch to my aunt. She's making hats for charity on a knitting loom.

The weather is finally warming up here. Normally, the weather doesn't affect my crocheting, but this winter seems especially long.

So, this evening I'm planning to curl up with a good movie, a cup of tea, and my crochet hook. I'll keep you informed.

National Craft Month

Sorry about the hiatus. I was ill and then moved home. March & National Craft Month start tomorrow. I don't have any grandiose plans this year. I'm going to work on two things.

1. Squares for the six afghans
2. Bookworms (I'm almost out!)

My plan is to post weekly progress reports. What will you be crocheting/crafting in March?

The Neverending Afghan

As you know, I'm trying to finish my sister's Christmas afghan before starting on other holiday projects. The afghan is almost done. I have most of the rows sewed together. I knew I had to make seven Magenta squares to finish the last two rows. So I made those and commenced sewing those rows together. To my surprise, when I came to the last row, I discovered that I was short two Windsor Blue squares. Alas, this afghan is never-ending!

The End of NCM 2009

That's right. Today is the last day of March. National Craft Month has run its course. I'm not sure what I'll work on next. Maybe I'll actually get started on some Christmas projects.

Anyway, here's a picture of the finished baby afghan for my niece. I think it turned out and there's no pink in sight!

Yet Another Update

National Craft Month is almost at an end. I think I've accomplished quite a bit. The baby afghan for my niece is almost done. I just need to finish the edging. I'll post a picture soon. I've made a bevy of bookworms. I've reclaimed yarn and finished some unfinished projects. I have yet to finish the scrap cat or the Halloween stuff. Or glue eyes on bookworms and magnets on butterflies. This morning during my class, I'm back to making squares for my sister's Christmas afghan.