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Sunday, December 24, 2006

i wish i were a robot.

i wish i were a robot.
i haven't been feeling like being 'out there' too much. so much so that i've deleted my myspace profile and kind of went into hiding. recent events in my life are making me wish i were a robot with out feelings or opinions. i wish to skip christmas and new years and go back in time. if that were possible, life would be great.
i'm seriously thinking about putting my shop on etsy to sleep. not killing it totally dead, but dimming it out. with all the emotional lows i've been having lately, not selling anything on etsy is one that i just don't need right now.
i was crying yesterday and dominic saw. he said, 'awww, momma's crying, she's sad.' and then he told me to give him a hug and patted my back while saying, 'it will be alright, momma.'
that's so not what his role is supposed to be. i tried to hide it from him but he just knew. he cheered me up just then by doing a little bit more stuff- just being himself. i laughed for a minute and then asked him if he's like to take a bath. he loves baths, so of course he said yes. while i was cleaning out the tub, my aunt gave him a piece of bubble gum. he came around smacking and i was like, what are you eating? he said bubble gum! of course i paid no attention and kept on cleaning. after a couple of minutes, dominic comes back into the bathroom saying, momma, my brain! you can see my brain! in my hair, my brain! i was like, no you can't, your brain is under your hair. then i turned around to see a huge wad of fresh bubble gum in his hair. dominic loves throwing things up in the air and most of the time they land right back on his head. i'm guessing that this is what happened. so, after our aunt got the gum out of his hair, he took a bath for about an hour. the kid doesn't eat much. after me asking him over and over if he wanted some of what i was going to have to eat he said no! i'm going to sleep!. and he actually did. he's been going to sleep as early as 8pm and waking up before the sun. i'm sure it'll be the same tonight as i layed down to take a nap and am just now waking up, he layed down right beside me and is still sleepin. i'm supposed to be making cookies to bake later but the butter is rock hard. what to do!

Saturday, November 25, 2006

i got angels!

feelin kinda Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting :excited!

so, i signed up for an angel exchange months ago - or at least it feels that way. we were to have our angels delivered to our partners by thanks giving. i was a bit worred about getting mine out on time so i got started early. i've been wanting to share what i was sending but i didn't want my partner to see. (just in case she ever comes this way) so, here they are. that's a lot of thread for a yarnie! i was fretting over the bows for a while. i finally decided, after a trip to walmart which was fruitless, to use what i had. i like the way they turned out. my partner said she liked them and her grand-daughter liked them so, yay for spoon angels!



here's what i got:
this picture isn't really doin justice but i got some really nice angels. i'm happy! can't wait to bust out the christmas stuff and blend these in with them. my favorite it is the clothespin angel. i came across the pattern on the web and passed it up- i'm glad my partner decided to use it, it's my favorite one of the bunch.






In other news:
i finished the manly hat finally. i should have guessed when i was about half way done with it that it would be too small for my friend. it's tight on my own head, which is about 21'' around. i used the largest hook called for on the patter and still came out tight. perhaps i take out my tensions on my crochetings or something because i'm finding that my gauge is not the same as it used to be. i'm looking for a solid L and M hook. i have an N and a P but those are way too large. i found a hook that was a bit larger than a US K on ebay but it came in a set and had to come from where ever pounds are used as currency. so, shipping equaled the cost. i didn't get them. i might have to break down ad go for the ole crystallites or treat myself to a wooden one. i was wanting a metal one because i like the weight on them. it seems that it gives me leverage when getting a groove going on when crocheting. (you know the groove i'm talkin about- on a roll and going quick).
so, maybe some slippers or other warmer type things.
oh snap, matlock's on, gotta go!

man, have i got some blogging to do.

i'm feeling Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting :alright

earlier in the week, i wasn't feeling too well. i think it has something to do with cleaning. as i went to get to work on my room, my chest started hurting too much for me to stand or even move. so, i layed down for a bit which turned into a nap. i wasn't productive at all that day. i wanted to figure out some Christmas dishtowels but i haven't yet.
i've been to work on getting my etsy shop more views and hopefully A sale. i'm starting to take etsy in a different light. i'm now more laid back about it. i used to try to telepathically send my motivation into it but now i'm like, eh, what will be, will be. part of my trying to get more views on it and what not is trying to list things more often. i think i listed a record breaking 3 things this week.
so, what i've been working on as far as that goes: i made one for my son, or for some one my son's size but haven't yet listed it.
i think he liked his because it has buttons on it. i made him a wrist warmer but i haven't taken a picture of it yet. he wore it for about 2 days straight.






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purses and pouches!
i picked up some of this yarn that i had no idea what to do with at the end of the summer season this year. it only recently dawned on me that it's pursable material. i hadn't seen the yarn all summer then all of a sudden it's on sale. i'm not complaining- well, yeah i am, i should have gotten more. i'll get enough of self- control one day.
the yarn that they're made of is a blend of acrylic, nylon, and rayon. i'm not used to working with blends but i like it! i know what i'm getting myself for christmas this year, for sure.



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and ah, the evita! i like this yarn as well but again, i wasn't sure what to do with it. i have to admit that it's got more of a fall or late summer feeling for me but i had to put it up anyway. i have a bit more of this yarn and hopefully i can track down even more. a scarf would be nice.
i'd like to figure out how to adjust the pattern to make it so that the point isn't so low on it. perhaps smaller rectangles or fewer rows.









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hmm, so i guess it was a bit more than 3! way to go me for being a bit motivated.
last, but not least!.. i whipped this bad boy up last night while watching the latest harry potter movie on in demand. it's about time, i say. i wasn't really looking forward to it but when i saw that it was there, i couldn't help myself. i was a bit disappointed on the way it ended. like what the...?
oh wait, i watched harry potter before i started this one. i worked this one up while trying not to watch cassanova. that movie stunk. i was looking forward to seeing heath ledger or who ever was in it act but i had seen a better version on PBS. the version i saw last night didn't compare. anyway, i picked this yarn up when i got the one i used to make the purses above. i was a bit intimidated by it at first because of the texture, but i like the way it came out. texture gives texture of course and as long as it's intended, it's good! ( i've given texture to a few things on accident- not fun.)
i must admit, i'm kinda proud of myself here, folks.

Monday, November 13, 2006

i'm up

i feel: Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting Restless
so this morning i woke up as a result of fatigue. i didn't make my goal of having my swap sent out by last week. i didn't realize that mail didn't run on saturday. i thought it wasn't going to run on friday because school was out and it said 'observed' on the calender. i could have sworn that the news person said stuff would be closed on friday. i rarely catch the news because i tend to listen to it half assed and get all the info messed up.
i must have slept the whole weekend because getting the package mailed was on my mind major this morning. i can't find my tape or the extras i got to send along with it. i was planning on printing a label and dropping it by the mailbox for the guy to pick it up. i don't feel as bad as i would have because i got an email from my partner letting me know when she might mail mine. i'm still not liking not having mailed it out but, what can i do? (be a bit more organized, maybe?)
gosh, i think my body is in shock from being up so early. it's nearly 10am here but i tend to sleep days during the winter so this is pretty early. i can't wait for thanks giving to come and go. when is it anyway? i'm not a holiday type of person. i'm looking forward to thanksgiving passing because i know that after that, there will only be so many days until the dreaded christmas is over with. NEXT WEEK! i just checked the calender and it's next week!
*sigh*
my brother will be moving out this week. i'd like to see how that goes. we're huge procrastinators so i'm sure it will be last minute. his truck was wrecked last week so he's out of a vehicle. which sucks. i'm still angry at the cosmos for all they've been pooping on my brother. there doesn't seem to be a cause. perhaps they're getting ready to rain money on him or something. this is the second vehicle of his that's been hit while parked by people who didn't seem to care enough to take others into consideration.
i got to talk to james this weekend but it didn't go as i had expected or liked. i'm reaching for topics of conversation with him as his deployment nears. he says we'll be able to see him before he leaves but i'm still hoping hoping that we do. i have lots of pictures to take of him and dominic. i've gotten used to not having memories or pictures of my 'father'. i don't want dominic to be the same way.
the stomach is confused because i would usually be sleeping so i'm going to go get it something to rumble around until i feel like cooking.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Gosh, it's been a while, hasn't it?


i've been crocheting a lot lately but coming up with nothing. i wanted to make some hats for a few guys i know but i've not been able to come up with a pattern that would look right. i'm not too good at making hats -i think-. i can't get past the 6th round with out thinking that they look funny or that they'll be too big. they always look jagged at that point so i wind up frogging them. i've only made a couple of hats that looked rounded when laid flat and i think that may have been because of the yarn. i know it has something to do with how many stitches i start out with or the hook i'm using. i found a pattern online today that i was going to use for inspiration. it was a regular ole DC hat pattern. i guess i didn't need it because i know how to increase in rounds but i liked the security of knowing that i was following a pattern. well, it didn't work out too well. it still looked square to me so i frogged that too.
i've got my angels nearly done for the swap. all i need to do is jazz up their necks. i was looking for some pre-tied satin bows but got lost in teh world of michael's. and wally world doesn't cary them. and can you belive that they only carry paper roses? i guess that would do. i'll have to see about it when i'm there next. not much variety, i tell ya that. but, hey, what do i expect, it's walmart. so, i'm hoping to have the package sent off by the end of this week, which is coming faster than i thought it would. if not by saturday, definitely by monday.
i've been trying to put more things in my etsy shop, trying not to give up on it. i guess i haven't been networking like i should so i'm going to try to do that more. i suck at making small things to list. i thought i'd do that just to save spaces for when i complete something big. i'm having the hardest time with that. i'm too picky for my own good. i made a bracelet that i was going to put on there but i didn't. instead, dominic ran around with it on for most of the night. i don't want to do the regular fingerlesss gloves because well, every one has them. i guess i will have to think of something.
my brother will be moving out soon and i'd like to make him a house warming gift. i know it will be a bit after he's all settled in because i don't want it to be just a set of coasters or something like that. perhaps i can make him something in his favorite color to remind him of home. he's such a work-o-holic that i doubt that he'll be spending much time there anyway.
i'm just determined to make a little something for joe. he sent me a b-day card around my birthday and that made me feel kinda special. like wow, some one's thinking of me! it's far after his b-day now so i'm hoping that i'll be able to drop a little something in the mail for him sometime soon. men are the hardest to crochet for, i tell ya! i figured that i'd make him something to sit on his dresser or in his closet. i may wind up making something bigger than the chi- little dog that i had planned. i suck at making animals or stuffed things. i'm alright with working in tight rounds - it's the assembly that gets me. the limbs never look right to me. i might be using the wrong kind of needle or something. (of course it's not just me).
i finally made my mom a carry all bag and she's carrying all in it. i wanted it to be strong enough to carry her big what i call doggie bottle of water in without it stretching out of shape. i put bands of single crochets between the mesh to prevent it from over stretching. i don't know why they're rippled, perhaps i increased some where along the way. i'm trying to think of a way to fix this problem, i'll let ya know! here it is with out the straps.

i was going to get a whole mess of white cotton and just dye it to her favorite color, which is pink but a really generous friend picked some up for me while she was out. (THANKS!!) i still have a ball left over. my mom has asked me for a cup cozy so maybe i'll use some of that to accommodate her request =-)
man, it's fricken breezy out. earlier, it was hotter than the middle of july in here, or so it seemed. we had windows open and fans blowing but that didn't help. now it's freeeeezing! the wind blew my window stuck and now i can't close it. i need to clean that track out.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

i attempted a bear

so, my friend joe's b-day was weeks ago and i wanted to send him a special gift. i'm broke so of course it would be something crocheted. i tell ya though, there aren't a lot of crochet patterns out there for men. i wouldn't know where to begin as far as male appreciation for yarn things. i made my james a blanket 3 years ago and he liked it. he's a sentimental guy anyway. i've also been struggling for an idea of something useful to make him that he'd like. my first choice would be a meal but that's impossible right now.
so, back to my friend joe. i've known him for a little over 5 years now. we're pen pals, have never met but he's nice to talk to. i can talk bathroom humor with him and he doesn't mind. a lot of people like to act like they don't go poo or it's just an absurd topic of conversation. no matter how different our lives are, we both take shits.
i thought i'd make him a bear. the only other stuffed animal that i've made was a dog and i don't think it turned out right. i've never made a bear or really looked at a bear pattern. here is what i came up with:
i got as far as the legs. i decided to make the head first. i wanted it to be a big headed bear but it didn't work out that way. i should have made the body first. (notice the orange in the back ground. i'm hoping to have a halloween set done soon. the scarf is on it's way)
i think it was the color that made me lose interest. red is joes favorite color. it's my least favorite. so i found myself unable to stay put while working with it. i'm still going to use the red but i will do something a bit smaller and quicker.
to make a long story short- because i'm tired and would like to lay down, i frogged it all and decided to make a bear that i found on crochetville.


i'm hoping to have it in the mail by next week- about a month after his b-day. it's all good thought because he knows what the deal is with the fundage.


and there is is with the head. i guess it would have been okay. the arms were hard to figure out. i was having the most trouble with the tops of the arms, would i attach them like the legs or made the tops round and connect it some other way?
i have too much on my plate right now to figure it out.




dominic got the curious george movie for his b-day. i'd like to watch it but he loves to act movies out. so he's bouncing around the room. either way, my head is hitting the pillow.

Friday, October 06, 2006

oh angel, where are you?


i signed up for an angel swap in CTB about a month ago. we got our partners last week and have until thanks giving to get our package to them. well, it's supposed to be there by thanks giving.
i saw and fell in love with a little book on ebay. clothespin angels! they're so cute. so, i got the book yesterday. my payment through paypal was hung up for a bit there for some reason. i won nit a week ago.
anyway. i've been debating, spoon angels or clotehspin angels. i'm in a worse posistion than i was in before the book! then i only had one option. i got spoons and little wooden craft balls and i have yet to find wookden clothespins anywhere. i'm going to try michaels when i go out again. the lady who i bought the book from sent me 10 free clothespins. so that's a good thing. this book is larger than i expected it to be. it only has a bout 5 pages but it's nice. in better condition than i was expecting to. visit the store where i won it on ebay.
i couldn't wait to try this out so i made the lower blue one. the trim on the dress is so cute but i always have problems with the sleeves. i just can't seem to get the chain spaces count right. one was bigger than the other and i was like oh no, i can't send this.
so now i'm going back to giving the spoon angels a try. i'm hoping to have another one ready by tonight.
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if you haven't heard, my little brother plays for the varsity football team now so w0ot w0ot!
he has a game tonight. - which reminds me, i need to charge the batteries for the camera. hopefully we'll go. it's been nippy out and i'm not wanting dominic to get sick. i've been planning on making him a little beanie. i'm going to do that after i'm done here. i wanted to make him a camoflauge one but it doesn't look too good on him so i'm going to dig throught the stash and see what other colors i have. he looks good in blue so maybe i'll go there. for some reason, when i tried to make him one last night it came out to be adult sized and flat on the top. i think it has to do with how many stitches i start out with. i'm going to try to stay away from multiples of 5 because it turns into a pentagon.
and here's my little button sleeping with Twinkie.

Saturday, September 30, 2006

my little shop on etsy

it's finally up!
there are only a few things in it. ifinally got over the pricing hump but it's now taking me longer to figure out how to describe my items in such a way that some one might take another look after reading. i have a few more scarves to add for now. those will go up gradually.
so, here's the link to my shop. i still have to make a button and banner and all that to jazz it up a bit.

Thursday, September 28, 2006

gettin this show on the road

i've been up for the past few hours doing etsy related stuff. i've taken pictures of most the stuff i have to sell now i just have to figure out how the whole invoice and receiving payments thing is done. i still have to price my stuff but that's just a tiny step so i think that'll be easier now. of course i think my finished works are brilliant but i'm trying not to expect too much out of this. i don't want to be sitting broken hearted in six months because my stuff didn't move. this is the first time in years that i've put myself out there in any way. i'm hoping that it's a positive one. as far as support goes on my side from the people around me, my family who has been telling me that i need to sell my things is like yeah yeah, we'll believe it when we see it. i don't know if most of them have gotten used to me doing pretty much nothing or what but a bit more support would be nice. my friends are the most encouraging. a lot of them didn't know i even crocheted until last year so they think that what ever i do will be great. this includes james, who is of course family. i've been working on a 'quick scarf' for about a week now. i usually do my scarves in short rows so i wanted to try one or two doing long rows instead. it used to take me forever to make a scarf, i thought it was because of all the turning but i guess it's just me. i have about 8 to sell so i'm tired of making them already. now that i've discovered thread, i'm looking for ways to use it.
honestly, i feel like i've lost a bit of interest in crochet lately. i think it's because i've got so much other stuff on my mind. i try to crochet at least once a day to get somewhere with all the WIPs i have. i haven't touched the mother's day afghan in a while and i don't think i want to any time soon.
gosh, my mood just got rotten.
i'm going to go grab a piece of cake and a few cookies and see what's on the tube.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

And where have you been?

now that i'm here finally, i don't know what to say! i've been wanting to blog lately but haven't been able to. i had to right click and open the link in a new window just to get here so i wonder if it has anything to do with my antivirus program. i think i'm able to change my layout now so that's all good. i'm liking my flowers, though.
a quick update:
i finished one whole skein of bernat's softee baby already while working on the round ripple. i'm on row 29 as of last night. W0ot! i was a bit worried that i wouldn't be able to finish it out in the colors that i wanted because when i went back to wally world to pick up another skein, they didn't have the purple i needed. i thought that if it boils down to it, i could just change the color pattern and make blue the second half's main color. FORTUNATELY, my aunt went to another walmart way out some where and they did carry the color i needed so that's good to go. ;-)
i don't know what the finished dimensions are supposed to be but i'm using a size F hook- i don't think the blanket will be big enough to use for the entire first year for baby. i may wind up adding on to the 50 rows in the original pattern. i'm groovin on the blanket, though. give me some soft tunes and correct lighting and i'm speed crochetin on that mug.






i'm not sure what percentage 29 of 50 would be so i'll put it at 60%







Ah, the ever so lovely rug! this is something i work on in spells. matlock helps me get it going at a productive pace but i'm only able to watch that at 3am. i decided that some simple double crochets would help it along and it has. they've also allowed it to puckle a bit. it's a rug, so i don't think it'll matter. i'm making this one for dominic to lay on while he watches his toons. i don't know if i've rejected the idea of laying on the floor and then some where else because of my mom saying 'don't sit your dirty but on the couch after you've sat on the floor' when i was little but i believe dominic will enjoy it. if he doesn't i'll just keep it for myself. i often crochet while sitting on the couch- i could use it as an in front of the couch rug.



this was to be a scarf at first but t he back looked kind of funky where the FPDC are made. the yarn i used isn't the softest either so i decided to make it into a purse. i'm plannin on selling the finished product. it's something that i would carry so i'm hoping others will think the same way. i still have to put the handles on and figure out how i want to do the sides. it's sure to be a good look, though.




I was feeling a bit adventurous. this month's swap was a mystery so i thought i'd make an amigurumi for my partner. i don't like the way it turned out, though. it's dimensions are off, i think. i may be a little hard on myself but it looks only a little like the picture on the pattern. so, i didn't send it. it's sitting on my monitor tail-less and sad looking. i have a whole big bag of fiberfill that's taking up more space than it should so i guess i was just looking to use it up. i want to attempt a bunny still. hopefully i can make up my own pattern so i can sell them. hopefully. i found the pattern here
i wanted to try this one but the instructions were a bit confusing for me. i wasn't sure when to stuff or how to assemble.
i finally got my swap sent out today. i had a hard time figuring out what i wanted to send. i can be mrs. indecisive when given too many options.
an angel swap is about to begin in another group i'm in. i've found a couple of angel patterns. i tried one and was just confused as all get out so i set it aside. i want to get started on those right away so i won't be doing anything last minute. they are to get to our partners by thanks giving so i've got a bit of time. pattern searching is the hardest part.
AND THE SEARCH IS ON
i will be getting married at the end of this year and i've already got a dress. i think it's a bit summery looking so i was going to kick it to the curb. Cris suggested that i bring it into the winter season by making a capelet or wrap to go with it. that's a good idea. i had thought of making one for the fall out of chiffon but that stuff is harder to cut straight than i expected. so i'm on a search for the perfect wrap/shawl/capelet pattern for my dress. the dress needs some work, but not much. i'm what people would consider to be short and the dress is pretty long so it needs to be brought down to size. i'm worried about doing that. i got some high heels on sale at jc penny. they were originally $45 bucks, i got them for 14. i don't think i'll be wearing them, though. they're about 3.5'' high- i can't walk in them. i got them so i wouldn't have to shorten the dress but i don't want to be as tall as james at the altar and i have some time to rectify so i'll be looking into that. i want to post a picture of it but james hasn't seen the dress yet and i'm not wanting him to until our day. i'm proud of the dress because i got it for a mere 12 bucks plus shipping.
i've put my charity crochets aside for a bit. i want to make a few caps for Caps to the Capital. i didn't read the whole thing until yesterday so i think i best get moving. i'm going to see if i can send mine to some one to be bundled and sent with theirs.
so yeah, that's what i've been up to. i've got to get this purse finished!

Saturday, September 09, 2006

some updates on what i'm doing

i found time to work on the rug while iw as watching matlock early- or late one day. i've decided that the cross stitch takes too much time and effort so i'm doing a section of regualr ole dcs in between sections of cross stitches. this is making it go a lot faster and has gottem me to about 40% done with it. i can't wait until this is done because it seem slike the more time i don't spend on it the more my don enjoys rolling around on the floor. i just know that he'll grow attatched to it and have it years from and look at it and be like, what the heck was mom thinking when she made this!?
the september swap has come around and while i already had one item in mind- i'm done with that one and want to do more but i'm having a tough time deciding what. this month's swap is a mystery so it's whatever i choose. i have an idea of what i want to do but i'm afraid that the execution won't be to great. i like doing swaps because they challange me to do my best.
there's another swap coming up in another group that i'm in. i'm having a hell of a time finding angel patterns that i like. i like to make functional items and all the ones i've found are pretty much just good for looks- i guess that's not a bad thing. i'm afraid some one will open up my package and be like, oh thanks - an angel.
i found some sachet packets at the dollar store that smell like christmas. i can't wait to use those. i've made one ball (i don't know what for) and put it in my purse hoping that everytime i go in there, it'll smell like home. i'm thinking about making those for stocking stuffers. but i always have a whole mess on my plate so we'll see.
i'm in a bit of a crocheting mood right now. the weather's nice so i have my window open. the heat from the computer is kind of slighting that though. i missed matlock tonight- that's only the best show to crochet to. i'll find motivation before i'm off to sleep.

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

i feel like slippers.

i've been wanting to make a pair of slippers and so i did last night. i like the way they came out and they're much easier than i though they would be. so i think that i can make my own pattern up for my next pair. i'd like to have some that come all the way up the ankle.
at first, i didn't like the color of these. the pattern says to work with 2 strands held together and these are the only colors that i had on hand. i love the colors now because they look nice on my feet. i would like them to be a bit more snug- i'll be working on making them snug and the right size next time. we all know that a size too small can be snug but is rarely comfortable.
anyway, here they are:
Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

and here's where i found the pattern:Abi's Slippers
the slippers shown in the picture look a bit different from mine. i think the ones on hte pattern look like the main stitch is a clister stitch and reminds me of a granny square.

Monday, August 28, 2006

round ripple

i'm now on rnd 20 w00t! so that makes me about 40% done! i don't know what i'll be doing with it when i'm done, but i can't wait to see it finished. i'm doing one row of blue for every other small shell row so far. i think i'll space it out a bit more, make it mainly purple.

aimless crochet doesn't please me anymore. i need a cause.

one of my groups is encouraging charity crochet. they're doing a 25 things for charity. i was thinking about it and tat would be nice. i have a bit of yarn that would be suitable for babies and others who are in need. last night i found a really cute and easier than i expected pattern for a premie burial gown. so i decided to work one up. i knew it wouldn't take long so i didn't even bother to print out the pattern. i just read it right off of the computer while i listened to my music. another one of my late night crochet projects. i haven't gotten it as long as i would like it to be yet. and honestly, i'm not sure how long it make it. the pattern says 12''-15'' or something like that. i told a person that i talk to online that i was crocheting this item and his reaction was outragous. something like, "why the hell would you do that?" after seeing his reaction, i decided not to tell my mohter what i was making, but i was so proud of what i was doing (it is so cute and i know some one will like it) that i just had to show her. she was like, it's a bit small. i just told her it was for a premie. earlier today i told her what it was really for and her reaction was about the same. "why would i want to make something like that?". i don't find anything wrong with it, but imust admit that the reactions that i've gotten aren't too encouraging. i've already made a pair of booties. those worked up in about 10 minutes. i like the way they came out so i will be making more. i used regualr ole worsted weight yarn on this pair- i'll dig in my stash for somethign a bit softer, for sure. i'm determined to ignore other's reactions and do what i feel is right for me right now. meaning that i will be finishing that gown and making burial wraps and hats, blankets and booties- what ever else i think i can.
aimless crochet doesn't please me anymore. i need a cause.
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Loving Hugs Preemie Booties
PREEMIE BABY BURIAL GOWN

Saturday, August 26, 2006

What kind of yarn are you really??


What kind of yarn are you really??

You are a wonderful fluffy novelty yarn. Take your pick! Lots of fun and full of exhuberance. You are very social and mix well with all types of people. Very playful and endearing.
Take this quiz!

Friday, August 25, 2006

i think i'm addicted to late night crochet.

turn down the lights, put on some smooth music and hand my my no.7 steel crochet hook-i'm about to get busy.
i think i'm addicted to late night crochet. i always feel the need to complete one small thing before i go to sleep. last night, or morning i should say, i didn't get to bed until 6am. it's now a little past 4am and i'm still scouring the web for the perfect little pattern for me to try. last night it was a pineapple sachet. i've been in a sachetin mood lately and i'm still on the hunt for the perfect pattern. i came across this pattern a little while ago but it didn't work out for me then. i had to look a little closer at it to finally figure out where i was going wrong. let me warn you before you go ahead and try it out, in rnd 3, the parenthesis should be before "skip next st," in the pattern. i kept on coming up with 16 dc because of this. also, when it says "beg shell" in the pattern i i would have caught on a bit faster if it said "work beg shell" instead. i was like, beg shell, nice, what about the beg shell?
after i got over those bumps i realized that i was doing more shellin than pineapple'n. this is what i got:
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i likethe way it looks but for a sachet, i thought it was a bit big. an alternate use for the pattern is making it into a christmas ball cover. it is literally the size of a christmas ball. it took a bit of fiberfill to get it as round as it is. the sachet in it is very faint because of this. and at 5 in the morning, i couldn't find my blue tulle so i used some left over chiffon that i had. i don't know if i was just too tired or what but i cut the chiffon a little to small.
i have to say that my favorite part about this sachet is the ribbon, i used some metallic ribbon that i got at walmart for about 98cents. i don't like the fact that it unravels but i think a couple of small dabs of superglue would fix that right up. i think that it would look a bit nicer if i could curl the bow tails. i was thinking of startching the ribbon and then wrapping it around a pencil or something until it dried. i may have to try that on another project.
for now, my cruisade to find the perfect pattern continues. i may just wind up making my own. (that would be somethin else!)
i found the pattern here:PINEAPPLE SACHET

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

I've been tagged...

1.) The one household chore I don't mind doing is....
Sweeping. I'm always reminded of that one broom scene in that old old break dancing movie "Breakin' "

2.) The last person to make a surprise visit to my home...
My little brother's friend. i don't know why it was such a surprise, he usually just drops on by.

3.) I cannot comprehend...
our government.
4.) At this moment I wish...
i had enough money to last a life time no matter what happened.

5.) The last serious discussion I had was...with a customer service rep. from a company i owe money to.

6.) The thing that made me laugh the hardest today was...
a sig that some one posted in The Crocheters Treasure Box

oh, the rug!

several weeks ago, i thought it would be a good idea to make a rug. i wanted an oval one to put in front of the couch while i crocheted or in front of my bed. i just know that the drafts are coming and i don't much care for wearing shoes. perhaps a simpler sollution would have been to try out a sock or slipper pattern.
so, i started on the rug, which seemed pretty simple. i tell ya, that rug just about whooped my butt. i was literally sweating and struggling with it. so i finally had the mind to give up on it. after all that work, i don't think i'd be happy with it anyway. i have yet to get a yarn ball winder, (this would be on my wish list if i had one.) so after looking at all the yarn that i had just faught with in a pile, i didn't want to let it tangle so i started a new rug. dominic loves to roll around and lay down and watch his cartoons on the floor so, i thought, well, this could be a t.v matt for him.Photobucket - Video and Image HostingPhotobucket - Video and Image Hosting
i'm doing long rows of the cris-cross stitch. so far i've done 7 rows which makes it 5'' from top to bottom.i'd like to consider it done at about 25''.
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for weeks now, my yarn and sewing notions have taken over the kitchen and living room.

for weeks now, my yarn and sewing notions have taken over the kitchen and living room. i finally got motivated enough last night to start making room for all my craft stuff. i emptied out a couple of dominic's toy boxes and put all of his toys into a laundry bag type thing that i got gtom the dollar store. i have 3 bins, one box, and a large trash bag full of yarn that just seems out of place. i'm thinking that i will put dominic's toys into one of my yarn bins so they will be easier for him to get to and see how that goes. i think i'm going to have to stuff a lot og the yarn under my bed =-\ hopefully this will limit what i can just pick up and start crocheting at random.

Saturday, August 19, 2006

i finally got the barrette to finish up my snood.

i finally got the barrette to finish up my snood. it came out alright. i was on a roll with the middle rows and did about 4 more than the pattern called for so it's a bit long for me. i've already started on another one. i've just got to make the petals and rose for it. the rose that's given on the pattern is nice but i think i'll try another flower this time around.
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i couldn't find any size 10 thread in teh color that i wanted so i just did the barrette part using the same size 3 that i used for the body of the snood. i don't think it turned out terrible but i'll be using size 10 white with some gold embroidery thread strung along. i also finished a bride's purse last night. i've made 2 so far. one with the silver metallic thread as the pattern calls for and one with gold. i gave up on puttin the beads on the silver because i know i'm not going to use it. i will probably finish it and then gift it to some one.

according to my gauge, this round ripple afghan will be about 34'' across. i usually like to give blankets a bit bigger but this one will be just fine. i don't know any one who is expecting so maybe i'll give it to a charity. i want to try some little outfits, too. (hoping that it'll prepare me for the making of sweaters or vests.
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Round Ripple Afghan
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Where i found the patterns:
Bride's Purse (pdf)
Rose Snood (pdf)

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

i just can't seem to get motivated

i just can't seem to get motivated to work on the mother's day afghan. i'm totally bored with french knots and straight stitches. i've told myself that i wouldn't start another afghan until i got this one finished but i really want to try a round ripple afghan that was posted in one of my groups. i won a booklet of mile-a-minute afghans that i also want to try. i've never done a mile a minute. about a year ago, i started on an afghan for a friend that i'm unable to finish. i've still got it in my head that i want to give her one. i think the mile a minute will be perfect. ah well.
i'm taking a break right now from the straight stitches. i'm looking for some heart patterns and i've found a few that i want to try. i'm trying to figure out what i can give as party favors for those who come to the most informal wedding ever. halfway home-made everything.
i'm in the process of making a snood. all i need for it is a barrette- then i can put it together and test it out. times' winding down. my soon to be hubby will be back on a couple of weeks and i'd like to have things set up at least a little. i ordered a pattern online for a capelet that i want to make to wear with my dress. i've still got to get the fabric and all that. i already have it in mind and i know how much it costs. of course i'll be getting it from good ole walmart.
here are some pictures of the darn blasted squares i'm working on. i'm only halfway finished. when i'm able to edit my blog using beta, i'll be adding some WIP meters. (hopefully soon!) i may just have to redo the whole blog. i've had to manually insert pictures which is a total pain.
Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting i had to make about 20 of these squares. half of which will be embroidered like the one on the right. that's some tedious stuff right there!

Mother's Day Afghan
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i couldn't go to sleep so i crocheted

i couldn't go to sleep so i crocheted. i've been working on scrunchies lately. i'm enjoying it because i don't need a pattern to make them. i'm tired of reading patterns for right now.
they work up fast- it takes about 10 minutes from start to finish to do one. that's a major plus.
i made a camo one for myself out of the left overs from the hat i made a while ago. while i was making it, i couldn't help think of my significan other. he's away in training for the marines. the last time i saw him, he was so enthuzed about showing me his gear. i wasn't open to seeing it on him. that would just put a seal on the thoughts that i have of him never coming back. tonight while i was making a scrunchie i thought of him and i wished i had let him show them off. i will next time i see him for sure, i'm curious now. perhaps i'm just missing him.
if there is one thing that peeves me, it's coming across knots in a skien of yarn.i hate finding loosely tied ones worse. there were a few in my ball of camo yarn tonight. i hope there aren't any more. i want to make many more scrunchies with it and i still have to make a hat for dominic. i don't think i'll be able to squeeze all of that out of the amount i have. just another reason to go on an adventure to wal mart!

Monday, August 14, 2006

i have been in such a crocheting mood lately

i have been in such a crocheting mood lately. i got a few smaller projects finished today. i've been looking for a licky penny holder and although i haven't tried all the patterns that i've found, i believe i've found the right one for me already. i'm thinking about making these as favors to give away at a party. the one below took all of 10 minutes to complete. the pattern can be found here: Lucky Penny For the Bride

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and this is my finished mystery crochet along from Crochet for Life! i usually stroll up to the library during the fall and winter. this will be a nice bag to take for books. it's not too big so i'll be limited on what i can check out. i'm always a bit ambitious when it comes to my reading goals.
i used Peaches N Creme's potpourri and ecru. the pattern for this bag can be found here:String Bag. you'll have to get a membership to get the free pattern. i think it's worth it-there's sure to be more good stuff there.






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i've got a whole mess of ping pong yarn left from when i started on my scarves and hats. i've been making them into scrunchies. the pictures i took of them aren't too flattering so i'll wait until i have a variety of colors to post them.
i'm wanting to make more sachets but i haven't found a pattern that would be ok to make more than one a day. (ok meaning that it won't tear my hands up while i'm making them). i have g ot to find a glove or something to protect my left hand from the yarn.
i haven't been able to find any hook cushions so i've just been doing this. you're probably thinking something like 'ewww' or 'oh hell no', but it works for me.




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these are the sachets that i did for the swap in Crochet for Life! the nice picture as taken by my partner after she received it.
the pattern can be found here:Robbie's Angel.
i made 7 squares in all, used 2 for the body, one for the wings and 2 each for each of the pillows. this was my first time making squares in the round like this so it was something new for me. i worked on a square blanket when i was taught to crochet but it had already been started. i had no idea it was so simple. i do love to complicate things, i guess.

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Some Older Things I've Done

I want to share some of the older stuff i've done. i like to keep it simple and work on projects that can be completed quickly. i don't remember the dates for all of these, but i'm sure they were taken some time this year.
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These are pictures of blankets that i did years ago. i had a lot of free time while i was pregnant with my son who is now alsmot 3. he liked the one on the left the best when he was little. as you can see, they're still useful today, gotta love crochet!
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This is a blanket that i made for a friend of mine who was expecting a baby boy. i used the sweet pea stitch all the way through it making sure that it was just the right size to fit a crib. Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
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These are my first attempt at a hat and a purse. the hat is from a pattern that i found online. the pattern didn't come with a template for the brim- that made it tricky. i made the purse by working in the rounds after making a stitch that i thought would make a wide enough purse. i knotted the strap because it was too stretchy. i would change the way i finished the strap by going around it with a row of sc. perhaps that would make it a bit more secure in shape.

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This is a newsboy cap that i did in redheart's camo. it's my way of showing my support for my soon to be hubby and his brother who are both in the military. i originally made this one for my son, but he doesn't care for the feel of it and it fits me just fine. i'm going to make him one for the winter with a matching scarf. hopefully he'll wear it. here is a link to the pattern: Newsboy Cap.


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This is the first crochet hook case i made. it took longer than i like to spend on a project. i have different places in the house where i like to crochet and having to carry this bible sized case around wasn't as convenient as i thought it would be. it's still a nice case, though. i found the pattern for it here: Aluminum Crochet Hook Case.


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A simple V-stitch poncho that i made for a friend's daughter. i used Redheart's Monet. The pattern can be found here:
Child's V-st Poncho . i modified it to fit a 3-4 yr old.





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I had our frequent trips to the park in mind when i made this sling bag. i used WW cotton- the dishcloth kind. it doesn't stretch too much and is very easy to make. this day, we packed snacks for a trip to the park to watch my little brother's foot ball game.














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I made this purse for my mom using the same pattern. i used crochet cotton size 3 and shortened the handle a bit. During my first attempt at lining it i tried for machine sewing and a zipper, but that wasn't working out too well. So i used a velcro snap instead this time sewing everything by hand.
i think it came out nicely. my mom doesn't have to worry about tearing the purse up with her keys or anything falling out of the bottom after many uses. i'm sure it'll be one of her favorites.
i found the pattern for the flower here: Cute 'n Simple Flower.
I didn't like the big hole in the middle of the flower so i used this opportunity to use one of my many buttons.