Crochet projects

I have had my hooks flying this weekend. I finished two projects, small ones, but they're done.

I made these for my aunt's granddaughter who is due to arrive in October.

I made this headband for Lil Miss to match her 1st day of school outfit.

Now I have to finish the blanket I'm knitting as a test for a designer. I will post pictures when it's complete.

Have a great Sunday!

Happy Sunday again!

Greetings!

I know I have been absent this week, I'm sorry! I have been working on a couple projects. 

CROCHETING

I finished this square for my crochet-along.

KNITTING

I am just starting to knit this blanket test pattern.

Which will be perfect to do while I watch the MLB Hall of Fame induction, today.

Congratulations to the inductees.

I am linking up with the Social Sunday link up again.

Have a great day!

Saturday Stuff

Happy Saturday! First, Happy Father's Day!

Second, if you are not listening to The Satellite Sisters podcast....you are missing an hour of fun! These 5 are funny, full of life and news you can you and stories. Please give them a listen!

I finished a couple of yarn projects this week. First up....a baby blanket for ny nephew who is due next week.

I am happy with how it turned out.

I also finished another square for the crochet-along on Ravelry.

I am using scrap yarn for the squares.

I am looking forward to making more squares.

Happy yarning!

10 & Stuff

Little Miss had a big birthday yesterday....

She got Bananagrams (a game), a Barbie closet carrying case and a Rainbow Loom (which she used most of the evening-pictures to come!).

Happy birthday, punkin!

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Now....

I completed this crochet square for a crochet along. (and I'm behind, as square 2 is posted).

I'm happy with it. I plan to do all the squares in blues & browns.

For my scrapping friends, feel free to jump in on a couple of challenges....

Join the ladies over at Use your Stash

Above is my "kit" I put together for February (green, yellow, gold and woodgrain), using only my stash. I am excited to put together some layouts with it.

(You can join them through Facebook and Flickr too)

Also, join Kelly and Heather at Two Midwest Girls for their color challenge.

Link up with them, show off your creation using this combo and you may win a fabulous prize!

PS: If you want a fun, informative scrapbooking podcast to listen to, chevk out Scrap Owl. Renee is great!

Get your craft on and have a great Thursday!

Happy May!

WOW! How did it get to be May already?!  I hope it's getting "springy" around you. The trees are finally getting green and flowers are popping out. I wake up to the birds singing (or squawking) each morning.  Spring has sprung!

To catch you up on me: I had a TEE (basically an internal ultrasound) on my heart on Tuesday. They confirmed that the hole in my heart wall is there. I have what is called atrial septum defect (ASD).  I meet again with the surgeon next week to go over the procedure and timeframe for recovery.  Basically, what he told my husband is that they will go in and test the oxygen levels in each of the chambers of my heart and if they feel they are too low, then they will repair the hole while they are in there.  I am ready for this to be done, as I'm tired of being stuck, poked, prodded and driving to appointments.

We spent last weekend in St. Louis. DH & DS went to the Hawks/Blues game. We had intended to spend a few hours at Six Flags on Saturday morning, but the rain deterred that plan. We went to the mall and had lunch. Checked into our hotel - where there were 3 weddings and I don't know how many proms.  Little Miss was in heaven gawking at all the dresses.  We made it to Six Flags for a few hours Sunday until the cold got to be too much.  It was nicer in northern IL than there...figures!

This weekend, the Six Flags here opens and lo and behold - it's supposed to rain ALL weekend...AGAIN! Sigh.  Sooooo - we'll see. Iron Man opens this weekend, so maybe we'll see that instead.

I am testing a crochet pattern. It will be a lovely baby blanket when I'm done. I'll post pictures then.

I hope you're all well. I will try to post when I can.

Crochet book

The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet: Basics, Stitch Patterns, Projects for All Methods of Crochet

This is a GREAT book on crochet - there are hundreds of stitches to learn and some wonderful patterns. I learned a couple of things and hope to learn a few more...

I gave this a 5 out of 5 stars rating.

TGIF!

You know - it was a short work week for me but has felt like an eternity! I am so glad it's almost over!

As MLB regular season starts to wind down, I've come to realize that yet ANOTHER year has gone by that my beloved Cubbies haven't done crap!!!! I'm not even going to say "wait 'til next year" because I would bet that will be another "rebuilding" year!!!! Good luck to all the teams that make it to the post-season.

On a 'somber' note - - - the holidays are quickly approaching! My intentions are good, I am waiting to see if my projects all get finished in time. I am almost done with DS's girlfriend's scarf. I have completed a purse for DD and cast on a sweater for her. My 'to be started' projects: blanket for DS and sew doll clothes. A little over 3 months....



So - what's on your holiday project list?

Finished

This sweater has been done for about a month but I didn't have pictures until now. The pattern is Crystal Lace Bolero (a crochet pattern) by Robyn Chachula. You can check her websit out at: Crochet by Faye. I used CotLin yarn in Linen from Knit Picks;

This is the front:

The back view:

The arm trim (I didn't go as wide as the pattern called for and am kind of glad I didn't):

This is my 1st garment project and am happy with how it turned out.

Photos by DD

Greetings!

Hi all!
First and most importantly - - - HAPPY GRANDPARENTS' DAY to all you grandparents, especially my parents and in-laws.
Second - I'm sorry I haven't blogged in a while. There's been lots going on and unfortunately, my blog gets shoved down the list of priorities. I try to stop by others' blogs when I can and see what you're up to.

Our work had a company wide meeting last week. We went to an outdoor camp that had an obstacle course. It was a GORGEOUS day! We broke into smaller teams and rotated through the events. I did the cable walk - you walk down two cables that get wider apart as you get further. Needless to say, we made it about 1/2 way on our first try before I totally biffed it (I still have the bruise on my backside to prove it). We tried it a few more times but didn't make it very far. It was a lot of fun and I got to see some of my co-workers I usually only see at this meeting once a year. Our guest speaker was former Chicago Bear, Jay Hilgenberg. He was an enjoyable speaker and really made you think about being part of a team and having the right attitude to get through life, work and whatever else.

DD & I got our dresses for DS's graduation and my brother's wedding this fall. Now I just have to get my arms in shape to wear that sleeveless dress!

I've been working on our son's graduation scrapbook and realizing my time to complete it is quickly running out! We finally got his announcement addressed this weekend so those will be going out this week.

I finished crocheting my sweater a few weeks ago (I still haven't taken pictures). I am knitting our daughter a sweater for dance class. And our son picked out his yarn for his socks he wants knitted (I'm a little nervous about that...)

Hope you're all doing well!

Knitting and Crochet Blog Week, Day 7

Yes, I know I missed a couple of days this week. Sorry... Today's topic for Knitting & Crochet Blog Week2011 is:
Your knitting and crochet time.
I spend most of my crochet & knitting time in front of the TV. It's easy to work on a project while 'watching' a show or movie. If I have a smaller, simpler project - I'll take it to work on while at a tennis meet or ballet lessons.

I once (to the horror of my husband) took a baby blanket to breakfast at IHOP - hey, there was time while we waited to work on it... :)

Knitting and Crochet Blog Week, Day 3

Day 3 of Knitting & Crochet Blog Week 2011 - I can't believe I've 'kept up' so far... Tidy mind, tidy stitches. How do you keep your yarn wrangling organised? Well, to honestly answer this question - I would have to say...there is NO organization! I buy yarn as needed for projects. Then the 'ends' are stuffed in a big bag under my bed. Seriously.... It's not pretty! As for my needles and hooks - yeah, they're in the same bag. One of these days, I'm going to clean out 'my' cabinet in the basement so there's a shelf for my yarn. Maybe that will be another goal for this year. PS: There is no picture because my mom reads my blog and she would be mortified if she saw the mess my yarn is. Love you mom!

Knitting and Crochet Blog Week, Day 2

For Day 2 of Knitting & Crochet Blog Week 2011 the topic is:

Skill + 1 Up

What have I learned in the last year? A lot!

I've learned to finish projects. :)

I have learned how to knit a lacy pattern.

I taught myself how to crochet in the round and square (who knew it was that easy?!). [see photo]

I recently learned that you can crochet cables - they're basic and look nice.

What do I want to learn to do in the next year? Knit cables and knit socks. I would like to pick projects that challenge my skills and make me learn another stitch.

Stay tuned for more blog week to come...

Knitting and Crochet Blog Week, Day 1

As Knitting & Crochet Blog Week 2011 kicks off (I am going to ATTEMPT to blog each day), today's topic: A Tale of Two Yarns I am going to divulge what I like about 2 yarns I have recently worked with. Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn! I have made a baby blanket and am currently working on a sweater with this yarn. It is so soft, very easy to work with AND machine washable and dryable. Because I am penny conscious - I find the price to be right too! Knit Picks CotLin DK Yarn I recently finished my sweater in this yarn. I was a little leary at first of how thin a yarn it is but loved working with it. I had had this in my stash for a few years - a 'group' purchase with my sister. I hope you'll check these out and find a project you may like to use them for.

Join in yarny friends!

KNITTING & CROCHET BLOG WEEK

Join in, join in - starting March 28. I'm looking forward to it and hoping to blog each day.

Hodge podge

Hi all!
We had a nice weekend - uneventful. The weather was nice on Sunday - smelled like spring!

I finished crocheting hubby's blanket last week (YES!). I started a sweater for me and did a little sample of crochet cables (that looks cool). I am also hoping to start a sweater for DD for ballet. And of course, there is the never ending nagging of trying to knit socks...

We started talking about the graduation party this weekend. OY! We have a LOT of work to do to get ready for that.

I realized late last week that I work with some terrific ladies in our office. It's nice to laugh and giggle over something stupid (and the giggles last all day) that makes the guys in our office roll their eyes and walk away.

I hope you're all having a good week and it continues to get good.

Happy 2011, part 2

I got the van back on Friday as promised. So knock on wood, we can avoid any vehicle problems for a while!

I don't really like to make resolutions. I prefer 'goals'. I made a few for this year:
*Get myself back into shape (physically) - the goal being to run a 5K this spring. And RUN it not huff and puff my way through it wishing I could die.
*Read at least 50 books this year - more of them being non-fiction so I feel like I'm working my brain too.
*On the topic of reading, to get 'caught up' in the ELM CREEK QUILT series.
*Get DS's scrapbook done BEFORE his graduation in June.
*Be more consistent in taking pictures this year. I'd like to do more people photo shoots.
*Make myself a sweater before the end of the year.

Those are a few of the things I'd like to accomplish this year. We'll see how it goes...

I hope you're all well!

Stuff

I've been neglectful of my blog - sorry! Christmas is quickly approaching and I believe I am actually almost ready!


I finished my hubby's afghan in November. Much to mine (and his) delight. It's nice to have that off my knitting needles.











After MANY years of crocheting, I finally made my first granny square. Who knew they were THAT easy? Not me - but a future project is brewing...
Winter has definately shown itself around here this month! Cold, snow and wind. Nothing like a Midwestern winter. :)

I hope you & yours have a VERY joyous Christmas!

SCRAPS!!!!!!!!

These are a few of the scrap projects I have done the past couple of weeks:

And FINALLY, after 3 months, I got my shawl done:

Whew! :)

I will try to get a little more scrapping done this weekend and posted.

Have a great Sunday!