May...

Sorry for the lapse in posts. As it's May and summer is looming, my work life is about to get very busy...summer reading program for 8 weeks!

I finished the last baby afghan by the skin of my teeth on the day of the baby shower. Yes, I took it to the shower and got to see the mom-to-be's reaction. It was wonderful. Here's a picture:

I really like how the color scheme and layout worked out. 

In the meantime, I've made a couple of dishcloths and started another baby afghan. This one's not for anyone. I just like making baby afghans. I'll attempt to sell it when it's done. The colors are inspired by Sully from Monsters Inc: Turqua, Orchid, & Dove. I wanted to use Pale Grey, but I was out and I'm trying not to buy any more yarn if I can help it.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

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~

Finally Going to Meet a Deadline!

I gave myself a deadline for the three baby afghans I'm currently working on. I wanted to get them done by the end of February. Thanks to snow days and a bout of shingles (I know...surprised me, too!), I've had plenty of time for crocheting. Two of the three are done and I should have the third finished by Friday. I also made a dishcloth as a gift. Still waiting to hear about colors for the next baby afghan. In the meantime, I guess I'll finish that infinity scarf.

  Navy, Petal Pink, & White

 Perfect Pink, Green Tones, & Buff

And here's that pixie hat I mentioned in my last post. 

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!

Vacation Crocheting

Sorry it's been awhile since my last update. The week of August 12-16 was very hectic at work with me finishing up the summer reading program. Translate: I didn't crochet a lick all week.

This week I've been on my annual after summer reading vacation. I mostly just stayed at home...and crocheted. I've been working on squares for my brother's afghan and I made some coasters for a friend who just started college. Here's a picture:

I used the Cold Flower Coaster pattern from the DragonFlyMomof2 Designs Blog. I loved how they turned out and I was able to use up some yarn I'd been hoarded for a few years.

On Tuesday, I made the 1 hour and 20 minute drive to the nearest Hobby Lobby and Michael's. I didn't buy any yarn. This is actually a good thing. I have A LOT of yarn. I wouldn't go so far as to say too much, but it's a plethora to be sure. I'm going to concentrate on using what I've got. What I did buy: felt, puff paint, and white cardstock on sale.

I know the title of this blog only mentions crocheting. I wish I had called it "What is Bridget Crafting?" I have three main crafts that I practice regularly: crochet, card making (rubber stamps and scrapbook paper), and felt sets (to be used at storytime.)

Well, I guess that's all for now. Until next time, happy crocheting!

Pattern Woes

I've been quite productive in the past week. Perhaps a little too productive if you ask my hands. This weekend I finished the other baby afghan, worked on the capelet, and started some cats for Christmas.

Here's a picture of the baby afghan. I was pleased with how the bulls-eye layout turned out.

On Sunday night, I realized as I was about to start the 8th row of the capelet that it seemed too wide. It's only supposed to fit around the shoulders. It wrapped around me a couple of times. I sorted this out over a couple of hours. I changed my hook size from J to G and cut 55 stitches from the starting chain. I thought this was very odd as this was a pattern in Crochet Today Magazine. I've worked on it a little since Sunday, but I've decided there's no way I'll have it done for the Hobbit Party. I will finish it just not by the 15th.

I love making cats (it's a small single crochet pillow. You make 2 sides and crochet them other.). It's a great way to use up the scraps or small balls of yarn I've been hoarding. The pattern came from Women's Circle Crochet, Spring 1987. It's called "Sitting Pretty Kitty" and  Starlinne Garrett designed the pattern. I think I have about 5 or 6 cats on my Christmas list this year.

Plans for this weekend and next week include finishing up the cats. I may not put them together at this time. And then I'll work on something else on my Christmas list. Not sure what yet. Maybe squares from  my brother's afghan.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Babies and More Babies

I've been quite productive this week. I finished the squares for cousin #2's baby afghan. I edged cousin #1's afghan. I started my capelet for the Hobbit Party. I have 6 rows of cousin #2's baby afghan sewed together. Hoping to finish it by Saturday so I can deliver it on Sunday. Mailed cousin #1's afghan on Monday. It was delivered on Wednesday and she had the baby on Thursday. Very fortuitous that. Summer Reading is almost over I only have 1 more week and a Hobbit Party.

Here's a picture of her baby afghan:

Until next time, happy crocheting!

A Few Small Projects

Last week, I mentioned that I bought skeins of the new Red Heart Super Saver neon colors. What I didn't say was that I tested them out by whipping up some birthday bookworms for my friend Anna. I really like how the colors worked up. The baby bootie ornament is for my cousin who had a baby shower this past weekend. I'm still working on squares for her baby afghan. It's been slow crocheting this week as work has been beyond hectic. But I'm going to soldier on.

I'm going to make the Catskills Capelet from the September/October issue of Crochet Today as part of my costume for the Hobbit Party. I plan to use Red Heart Super Saver in Grape Fizz.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

When My Hobby Meets My Job

I spent this past week finishing up my scarf and fingerless gloves for my Cheshire Cat costume. And a mouse for the dormouse hunt. Now that these are done, I guess I'll sew together the baby afghan doe my cousin. The pattern for the mouse was a free original pattern by KristieMN on Crochetville forum. The pattern for the gloves came from a 1985 crochet magazine. I don't know which one...I just torn out the pattern. See this post for more details about the scarf and gloves.

 

Summer Reading and Crochet...Not Best Friends!

The Summer Reading Program is well under way in my four libraries. Registration for the reading contest was last week and events start this week. Today alone, I saw 108 people. I need a nap, but I don't think I'll get one. I really think my crocheting will decrease while I'm in the midst of summer reading. I think I'll just want to veg out in the evenings instead of being industrious.

I did finish the baby afghan I was commissioned to make. Here's a picture of it:

I'm still working on the Cheshire Cat scarf and the teapot cozy. Hopefully by June 20 (the date of the Mad Hatter Tea Party), I'll have the scarf, cozy, fingerless gloves, and a dormouse completed. After that, I guess I'll start working on my brother's afghan again.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Progress of a Sorts

Again not much crocheting to report this week. I made 7 squares for the afghan I was commissioned to make. Most of my time was spent on a felt set that I'll be using for a Cinderella Around the World event tomorrow.

I made an impromptu trip to Michael's on Sunday and stocked up on felt and puff paint.

I found out this week one of my cousins is having a baby in August. It's a girl. I'll raid my yarn stash and see what I can come up with.

Here's a picture of the latest baby afghan I completed.

And here's a picture of layout on graph paper so you can see what I mean about not being able to tell totally how it will turn out until it's done.

 



 

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!

Finally Finished!

On Saturday, January 26, I finally finished Stephen's afghan. It was only 1 year and 31 days overdue. I'm hoping for better results with the one for my brother which I have already started.

One of my good friends is getting married in March. I've already ordered her a gift from her registry, but I want to make her something to. I won't mention what until I'm done and she's received it. My copy of Downton Abbey Season 3 arrives today. I foresee a weekend filled with watching Downton and crocheting squares and gifts.

Here are some pictures of Stephen's afghan:

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Happy New Year!

Wow! It's been almost a month since I updated the blog. I was very busy trying to get Christmas gifts done. At the beginning of December, I realized I had left things too late and wouldn't be able to make all the gifts I'd planned.

My 2013 crochet resolution is to crochet (or sew on an afghan) at least 30 minutes every day. I'm still working on Stephen's Christmas afghan. I have 14 more squares to make, but I have 3 out of 5 sections sewn together.

Despite my late start I still managed to make 20 gifts. These included a dishcloth, snowman ornaments, baby bootie ornaments, a purse, a stocking, and some stocking ornaments.

Here are a few pictures: 

This week, I plan to finish up the last squares for the afghan. I'm hoping to have it done soon. I also owe my sister her 2012 his & hers ornaments so those are next on the list. I've already started making my Christmas 2013 list. More about than later.

Until next time, happy crocheting! 

The Stockings Were Hung...

Sorry it's been so long since my last update. I had a computer on the blink for about two weeks and then I was busy at work and at home with Christmas preparations.

With only 18 days til Christmas, I'm accepting that I can't make everything I want to--there's just not enough time because I do have to pace myself when I crochet. I've been working on a few snowman ornaments. I've also organized my brother-in-law's afghan squares into zippered storage bags by row. I still have about 20 squares to make for it. Starting next Monday, I'm going to sew a row together each day. I don't think I'll have it done for Christmas, but I know it will be done soon.

So all my ambitious plans for this year? I'm going to move them to next year and resolve to crochet a little each day.

Here are pictures of the coasters I made and a Baby's 1st Christmas stocking for a friend's baby.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

52 Days 'Til Christmas!

As of today, I've made 32 Real Teal squares. I need 52 total so I have 20 more to make. I also need 4 more black and 10 of a yet undetermined color. I need to make 34 more squares total to have all the 187 I need for Stephen's afghan. If I make 5 squares a day for the next week, I'll be done. After the squares are done, the sewing should go quickly.

I haven't had a chance to take a picture of the coasters yet, but here's a picture of the football hat.

I'm headed home to TN for the weekend and don't know how much crocheting I'll get done, but 5 squares a day would be nice. I'm ready to be done with the afghan and move on to other Christmas projects.

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.

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!