I think it took around 20 bags, but it was so much fun to do! And you wouldn't believe how much attention it got- just making it! Everyone wanted to know how I did it.
Now, ignore the fact that it looks like a disturbed cyclops bunny and just be happy that it's done!
What's the detail? you ask, well here's a close up
Hope you love it. I didn't follow a pattern, so I'm no help there, but I can't WAIT to take it in the store. I also started another one.
My family planted a garden! I'm so excited about it, you don't even know. Most of them are peppers, but that's fine by me since they are SUPPOSED to be easy to grow and we eat them like crazy!
Here's how my Halloween Afghan is coming along:
Also, I'm making Plarn!! Yarn made from plastic bags. The more colorful, the better!
Blanket for a friend's project
16 more days till season 5!!
I made these for my friend Allison. Had so much fun making them that I might make more.
Made a set of 3- this one, a yellow, and a white- for a wedding gift. Still struggling with edges, as you can see.
Me in my finished Gryffindor scarf with my super handsome oldest son.
Now I need to figure out which ornaments I have yet to post.
So, besides loving the fact that I get to be uplifted and edified, General Conference is one of my favorite times. While hearing the things that bring peace and comfort in these troubled times, I also get to sit on my tooshy and crochet for two days!!!!
Alrighty, first I want to post the things I finished PREVIOUS to conference
ok, so I don't know where this idea originated. Kristin was showing me some of her inspiration and one was a set of mismatched frames that said FALL on beautiful paper. They were black letters, but I LOVED the idea and went my way with it! Eventually I'd like to upgrade the frames, but this'll work for now.
THIS is one of the reasons I was so ecstatic about One Pretty Thing. She has a Halloween section and there are some amazing links. This link was to Hostess with the Mostess. GORGEOUS (IMO anyway). I think I'll keep this idea and use the vase, change the candy and flowers w/ the holidays. how cute will conversation hearts look in there come V-day?
Yes, I'm aware that this isn't a craft, but isn't he adorable? I'll be making one of my kids soon.
Alright. So conference, me and my hooks stayed happilly attached. I finished Xander's Halloween treat bag, pictured here:
It was my first time felting. The teeth look wierd, yes I'm aware. It's because the gray is all 2 stranded and the white is not. Xander doesn't care.
Next, I made a couple more cookies for Juliana's bday set:
The vanilla one is horrendous. The insides are way bigger than the outsides. Oh well. It's a pretend cookie for a three year old. If I were doing it for a gift (or, maybe one day, commission), I would make sure it was perfect.
These are Hershey Kisses, or giant chocolate chips, whichever you prefer. I made up the pattern all by myself. Here it is:
Rd 1: ch 1, make loop. sc 6 into hold of loop
Rd 2: 2sc in each sc
rd 3: 2 sc in each sc
rd 4: sc in each sc
rd 5: sc in each sc
rd 6: dec next 2 sc, sc in next 3 sc's , repeat all the way around
rd 7: sc in each sc
rd 8: dec next 2 sc, sc in next sc, repeat all the way around
rd 9: keep dec until closed. Close w/ sl st at the top.
Let me know if there are any problems in the pattern so I can fix. Don't hesitate to call me out!!
I also did two other things, but one is going to be for the Ravelry Mystery Crochet, so I won't post the pic till I'm done. The other is a pattern being tested right now, so we'll see!
I've been itching to blog so badly lately, but time has NOT been on my side, I tell you. I feel like the last three weeks have been sent from the "GO GO GO" demons or something. Hardly a second to do anything. Tomorrow Roger and I are cleaning. We actually started tonight. We've got to get these kittens potty trained because I just can't take it anymore. I hate that my house smells like cats. YICK! Hopefully we'll find a good home for the kittens soon. They're adorable and half of the time I really want to keep one of 'em, but I'd rather them be together (and me not have to potty train).
Family news- Xander is loving preschool, although he's started being bossy lately. Drives me up a wall. He's writing his letters SO well and I"m so proud of him. Juliana is potty trained now. A few accidents here and there, but for the most part, we're good to go! Vaughn is growing SO fast. He tries really hard to grab things, has rolled over twice, and likes being propped up.
Ok, as for my crafts. I'm in love with crochet. I like trying everything else. I enjoy making cards, esp when I get to paint or stamp. I"m not so good at the sewing, it really frustrates me, so I think for now my main focus is going to be crochet. I'd love to get to the point where I can crochet clothes. For now, though, I'm crocheting food. I'd like to give Juliana something to "cook" with in her fake kitchen. She loves playing in there, but only has utensils.
So far, we have two carrots:
I also have a cookie, that I rEALLY need to take a pic of, because it's adorable. It's like a peanut butter oreo. I'm also working on a cheeseburger. I have the bun done as well as the tomatoes and the hamburger patty.
WHICH BRINGS ME TO......
a book review!!!!
I checked out this book, "Amigirumi!: Super Happy Crochet Cute" by Elisabeth Doherty and can I tell you... I LOVE IT!!! Not only are her animals and things so superly adorable, but I can understand the patterns very well. She has cute little snippets about why she picked the things, stuff like that. She also shows you how to do each of the stitches you'll be doing in the book and tells you what level each project is. She even starts with beginner and ends with a challenging "humanoid" (which I have yet to try). One of the carrots in the above picture are from this book (the long carrot) and the cheeseburger is in this book as well. OH! And one of my favorite parts of this book, albeit random part, is at the end she has a little section on hand massage and how to stretch out and relax your hands. Cool, huh?! Her writing is witty and entertaining, which is always a plus. I mean, I even read the section explaining crochet hooks because it was fun to read. I hope you enjoy this book. I'ts SOO going on my "I wish I owned this" list.
Aaaaalrighty! Here are the pic updates. I've been to a couple CTMH parties that have made me want to play w/ paper SOOO bad, but not enough to actually scrap. So I made cards. And I'm having a TON of fun doing it!
Also, I finished this baseball bat (with baseballs) for Gavin. Yes, I'm aware that one baseball is bigger than the other. Same hook, same yarn, different stress levels.
I can't wait to start a few more projects soon. Christmas has been fun!
PLEASE do a challenge with me, please, please, please. Here's the challenge. Go through your digiscrap stash (if you don't have one, go to shabby princess and download one). Pick TWO things - paper, embellishments, brushes... whatever- that you've admired for a long time and USE them! I don't care if you make a scrapbook page, a digital note paper, a flyer, whatever. Just use them! :D Post links here!
Ok! So I've been a busy, busy bee lately!
First up: "Soft Pink Cookies"
So, my friend Holli- who is so super adorable, invited Juliana to her daughter, Emma's birthday party. In trying to decide what to do for uber-cute Emma, Kristin showed me a link to Feeling Stitchy, where she had this BEAUTIFUL set of felt cookies. Well, it inspired me to make some crochet cookies. This it the end product first- but keep reading because there is a story.
Ok, when I first started making these cookies, I started w/ a really pretty mauve color, then I used a natural fiber, kinda brownish for the outside. I was a little bummed that the frosting didn't look more frostingy, but figured they could pass as jam filled cookies. I took them with me to a Tummy Time play date and they fell out of my bag. My friend, Angie, asked what I was working on. I told her they were cookies and then I saw them.... I could NOT believe I hadn't seen it before....
Yeah, obviously I fixed it. I added the soft, fluffy, "sprinkly," yarn so it's frosting instead of jam... and less dirty. I didn't mean to, I swear!
Next Project:
I had 2 days to complete a birthday gift. It ended up taking me 3, but I made a flower scarf and I can't BELIEVE I forgot to take pics. I made 18 crochet flowers, then sewed them together with fishing line. It turned out pretty dern cute, if I do say so myself.
Also, I've joined a group on Ravelry called RAK- (Random Acts of Kindness) and I have been BEYOND blessed just this month! My awesome friend Linda from Holland sent me an entire set of crochet hooks in a beautiful zip up case. One person asked for letters for her daughter who is in Jr. High. I remember Jr. High WAY too well, so I wrote her a letter an sent her a few cute paperclips. She went OVER THE TOP and sent me this:
Can you believe it? I'm STILL in shock. We've already eaten one of the candy bars- so good! The purple yarn has beads in it. I'm trying decide whether to make a scarf or something else out if it. The white yarn is 100% cotton- I've never used that kind before, so I'm excited to try it. And the ribbon... oooh, the ribbon. GORGEOUS!!! Anyway, then you again, Sample family!!!
Also from the RAK's this month, one sweet ravelrer sent me the gold I need to make my Gryffindor scarf. Now I just need to find a pattern. I am SO excited to actually do something for me!
This week I need to make a gift for Gavin. I"m not going to post it on here till it's done, just in case his Mommy sees this post.
Ok, I finished my first Amurugumi (sp?). And then winged it to make a candy corn that I gave to my cousin for her baby to play with.
I'm now making some cookies inspired by THIS post at Feeling Stitchy although my cookies are going to be crocheted instead of felt, and I"m pretty sure my bag won't look that amazing.
First we'll start off with the bread. Today I was dead set on making French Dip Sandwiches for dinner. They sounded SOOO good. What do you need for French Dip? French Rolls, Au Jus dip mix, onions, and roast beef. So I go to the store for the ingredients and I grab bread that looks like this:
Yes, it looks like French Rolls. I come home, make dinner and go to cut the rolls. They're not light and fluffy in the middle w/ a crispy exterior. No, no. I look at the label and they're PORTUGUESE ROLLS> What the crap are Portuguese rolls? Never heard of them in my entire dang life and they are VERY misleading on the top. THEY LOOK LIKE FRENCH ROLLS. And they're not flavorful like French rolls. They're heavy, dense, and not very good for French dip sandwiches. Maybe if you're making Portuguese Dip sandwiches, but who's ever seen THAT on a menu, eh? BEWARE of the Portuguese rolls!
Anyway. Next on the list. Remember a few posts ago I talked about wanting to change cell phone plans, but not being able to afford to cancel the old ones, then I updated in a new post later that we got a loan and part of it went to cancelling our old phones. We went from 2 AT&T/Cingular lines to 1 Cricket line. Our old phones were falling apart (literally- my screen was cracked) and couldn't be flashed to Cricket, so we got a new phone.
Isn't she BEAUTIFUL?!?! In high school I refuse to wear gold jewelry, but now I LOVE the color gold. I don't know why. When Roger told me which phone we got, I was giddy! Then when it came today I was in heaven. Anybody know where I can get some decent priced ring tones w/ out all the junk mail or spyware? Same with games? I need at least one good ring tone and one good game. Then my phone will officially rock.
And, since this IS technically a craft blog, I thought I'd share my craft in progress. It's my first Arugumi (Sp?). It's Scott The Bear from Lion brand yarn's website.
Oh, and one more. I also picked up one of my new favorite things and now a staple in my home:
Yes, yes it is on a shelf. In my living room.
I know, I have so many WIPS it's not even funny. I started 2 new crochet projects on top of it. I'm making another belt for Rachy (coz I wanted to experiment with the fuzzy yarn). I also started a teddy bear. I'd REALLY like to learn how to do arugumi. This is what I'm making http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/justGifts.html?noImages= I also joined a bunch of new Ravelry groups, one of which is called "Only Half A Skein" and i'm SOOO excited about it. I do really, REALLY want to finish my red shirt though. I got some adorable sheets at DI that would make an adorable shirt for me and matching one for Juliana w/ fabric to spare. I also found another sheet at another DI that has never been used and is going to make some BEAUTIFUL cloth napkins for Rachel for her birthday. She doesn't what I plan on doing to them, though and I dont want to put it here, just in case.
Also, some good news. REmember my post about how it costs money to save money? Roger and I did something smart. WE got a personal loan to pay off the rest of our credit cards, our hospital bills, cancel our phones, and get caught up on bills. It'll be so nice to be paying 9% interest rate instead of 29%! We can finally afford to SAVE money. Talk about relief!
Ok, I'm almost done w/ the afghan for Vaughn, so I can move onto more crafts. I also have some pics of some bows to post. I had a friend show me how. I"m still not the best at them, but practice makes perfect. And actually, I found out that humanitarian aide can use some, too, so as soon as I get more barrettes I'll be able to do some for some girls in orphanages. :D
Ok, so I don't update much since I work on the same things for a few days at a time now (or, in the afghan's case, a few weeks). I thought I'd let y'all see how it's coming and see if it inspires anyone.
First, here is the afghan I'm working on for Baby Vaughn
Next, here's what the Eye Spy pics look in an album. I'm working on getting all the pics ready so you can just download all of them, print 'em, and use 'em. I would, however, like you to ask permission if you're going to use them to sell at all.
And now, for something a little more random that has nothing to do with crafting..... I've been couponing again. I took about a year sebattical from it because I couldn't even afford to do it that way. Man, did it feel good to get back into it!! Here are my two most recent receipts:
You'll have to look at it up close, but we bought 2 razors at almost $10 each, then got blade refills for $12, but w/ my coupons, my total was less than $10!!!
This was from yesterday at Albertson's. I got 34 items, totalling WELL over $100. But between the sale and coupons I spent..... $34. I saved over $90!!!!!!
This is from that sale- this is JUST the things I didn't have room for in my cupboards and such. Crazy, huh?!
Ok, so I had freaked when I realized how long Vaughn's blanket was taking me. Then, when I realized it was as wide as a twin blanket, I freaked again about what to do. After talking to LOTS of people, I realized that I wasn't the only one with this problem. Did you see that? THREE "realizations" in a very short period of a time. That's a lot for a shrunken, pregnant brain to handle!! I decided to set that one aside and start a new one for Vaughn. After all, I can always use more twin blankets, so I'll finish it later. Now, I suck at reading patterns, not necessarily because they're hard, but just because they scare the poopies out of me and I don't have the patience to count. So I have made my own up. Here's what they are, and eventually I"ll have pics. I promise!!
Twin Afghan:
Chain till it's all the way across your lap and then some. Then add a few more just for good measure and add an extra turning chain on the end.
Row 1: Single Crochet Stitch all the way across. Add 4 chains on the end for turning.
Row 2: I THINK this is called the V stitch, but I don't see a V, so instead I'll just tell you what I do. I do a double crochet stich with a single chain and then put it into every other loop. Do it all the way across. Don't forget the last chain
Rows 3,5, and any odds here on out until you're at the length you need: single crochet stitch, not forgetting the 4 chains at the end
Rows 4,6,8 and even from here on out: Repeat row 2.
The one I"m working on now, here is the PLAN (which means I haven't done it all yet) This is with two colors, color A and color B
Chain the length of a baby blanket (I don't count, instead I held it up to an actual baby blanket). Add 4 chains on the end
Row one: In color A, double crochet all the way across. Add one chain on the end.
Row 2: In color B, single crochet stitch all the way across, adding 4 chains on the end
Row 3: In color A, V stitch (or whatever it is I explained in the last pattern) all the way across. Add one chain stitch
Row 4, 6, and evens here on out: Always color B, just single stitch across and add 4 chains
Row 5: Color A, double crochet stitch
Row 7: Color A, V stitch
Do every other one like this so it goes: double, single, v, single, double, single, v, single, etc until it is about the size of a baby blanket
I haven't posted much lately, so I wanted to show you what I've been doing!
I haven't tried them yet. They're hot glued on, so I'm not sure how secure they are!
I *think* I learned to double crochet today. I hope I'm doing it right.
I am also starting to dabble in Barbie clothes- I'd like to have a collection by Christmas!
What're you working on?
Ok, I finished my first crochet project! It started out as a placemat, but that wasn't interesting enough for me, so I decided that my daughter needed a blanket for her baby doll. She has been using a burp cloth, which is only like 3/4 the baby's size. So I decided that's what I'd do! Before you see this, keep in mind that I started over at least 4 times. 
My only "problem" was here at the top of this edge: I had just taken a whole bunch of rows out because it had started to get bigger, and instead, pulled it in a little too small
Anyway, I'm now HOOKED (bwahahahahahaha) on crochet and love it to death!! I can't wait to practice more!
I'd kind of like to see everyone else's first projects, favorite projects, and project disasters!
