I'm going to make an attempt this new year to post at least once a month. I'm going to call it the 12 Months of Christmas by completing at least one Christmas themed crocheted item. I have no talent when it comes to designing anything so I'll be using one of the many patterns I've purchased or that were free. I'll post a picture, something I stink at doing, of my completed item and promise to give full credit to the pattern author if I can.
I hope those of you who may chance upon my blog will enjoy my experiment in being a better blogger. This is my first resolution for the coming year and I hope I can keep it!
There are bound to be a few other items included. Like the baby blanket I am currently making for a co-worker. The pattern can be found here. I liked it because the vertical portion is crocheted through the mesh rather than having to crochet a chain then weave it in. The author is Pia Linden (she's on Ravelry, which is where I came across this pattern). She used white as the main color, and turquoise and lime green as the other two colors. In any case I'm using I Love This Yarn in Pistache for the main color, along with Antique Teal and Sea Blue. Doesn't necessarily sound good together, but it really does look pretty. I'm almost threw with crocheting the mesh, then the weaving will begin. I'm excited about it and I promise promise promise to post a picture once it's done.
I haven't decided what my first Christmas pattern will be, but I should know by the 1st and will post all the pertinent information along with it.
Have a wonderful day.
27 December 2012
24 December 2012
Wow
I knew it had been a long time since I last posted but hadn't realized it was quite such a long time.
I stink when it comes to keeping up with these posts, but in my defense at least this time I have some real reasons. In July and August I traveled extensively for work and was intent on ensuring a place for myself in a class this January. That fell through, but I've been strangely ill for the last six weeks or so.
In November I visited my older son and his family in Georgia, and ended up with a horrible sinus infection caught I'm sure from my granddaughter who had one at the time. Unfortunately the sinus infection lead to laryngitis which I had all Thanksgiving weekend. Then at the very beginning of December I caught the flu which developed into pneumonia.
I've been coughing steadily for several weeks and have managed to strain or pull a muscle in my rib cage and my shoulder. I am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. The upside is that I've lost a few pounds (no appetite at all). Gotta have a silver lining in there somewhere.
And now it is Christmas Eve. I am so thankful to be able to celebrate this holiday with my family nearby. Despite my whining (thanks for letting me vent) I'm very blessed.
May you have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year!
More to come.
I stink when it comes to keeping up with these posts, but in my defense at least this time I have some real reasons. In July and August I traveled extensively for work and was intent on ensuring a place for myself in a class this January. That fell through, but I've been strangely ill for the last six weeks or so.
In November I visited my older son and his family in Georgia, and ended up with a horrible sinus infection caught I'm sure from my granddaughter who had one at the time. Unfortunately the sinus infection lead to laryngitis which I had all Thanksgiving weekend. Then at the very beginning of December I caught the flu which developed into pneumonia.
I've been coughing steadily for several weeks and have managed to strain or pull a muscle in my rib cage and my shoulder. I am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. The upside is that I've lost a few pounds (no appetite at all). Gotta have a silver lining in there somewhere.
And now it is Christmas Eve. I am so thankful to be able to celebrate this holiday with my family nearby. Despite my whining (thanks for letting me vent) I'm very blessed.
May you have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year!
More to come.
26 July 2012
Out of Town
I'm out of town this week for work, attending a class that is designed to teach the attendees how to use Lean Six Sigma to improve their organization. It's been an interesting course, and basically in three days we've been taught the information on 1500 slides. The class is tomorrow and I should be studying. Thankfully the test is multiple choice, so I should hopefully get a passing grade (um, open book!)
This time away from home, though, has allowed me to work on a blanket for my youngest grandson. He's not a year old yet, so I'm really hoping that I get it finished before his first birthday. Promise pictures when I get done.
It's also allowed me to see him for the first time. He's such a wonderful happy baby. My son is blessed to have such a cheerful little guy.
Well, the rainstorm carrying on outside has messed up the satellite feed to the hotel, so I'm going to stop and study for awhile. Till next time.
This time away from home, though, has allowed me to work on a blanket for my youngest grandson. He's not a year old yet, so I'm really hoping that I get it finished before his first birthday. Promise pictures when I get done.
It's also allowed me to see him for the first time. He's such a wonderful happy baby. My son is blessed to have such a cheerful little guy.
Well, the rainstorm carrying on outside has messed up the satellite feed to the hotel, so I'm going to stop and study for awhile. Till next time.
31 May 2012
But of course
There are lots of birds who live outside my apartment. I hear them every day. In the morning when I walk the dog. When I leave for work. When I come home. But I rarely see them. My favorite are the cardinals.
The summer before second grade my family lived in Miami. I won't tell you how long ago, but suffice it to say it's been a long, long time. Outside the living room window were a couple of beautiful hibiscus bushes. One morning I saw a male cardinal (I know this because he was bright red) sitting on a branch. I sat on the couch looking out and talking to him. Whatever he thought, he sat there for several minutes. This happened every day for about a week.
After that we went up to Pennsylvania to visit my grandmother. It was a bit upsetting because I had become attached to that pretty red bird. But I wanted to see Babci so I didn't complain. Well Babci had a front porch on her house which sported a wonderful bench swing. One afternoon I was on the swing and a cardinal just showed up. He landed on the cherry tree and sat there for a few minutes, long enough for me to say a few words.
I was so excited and ran to tell my mother about the cardinal. She was very serious when she explained that it wasn't the same bird. Now I'm an intelligent person. Logically I know that it couldn't have been the same bird, but that didn't mean that little 7 year old didn't know in her heart that they were one in the same.
Anyway, I've taken to carrying a camera with me on the off chance I see any of the birds and get a picture. Not that it helps when my hands are full when I see them. I walked around the corner to my apartment after work this afternoon and saw a beautiful male sitting on a piece of wood dislodged by all the wind and rain we've had. I stopped, amazed, when a female flew past and sat on the privacy fence. So, of course, I was unprepared.
The summer before second grade my family lived in Miami. I won't tell you how long ago, but suffice it to say it's been a long, long time. Outside the living room window were a couple of beautiful hibiscus bushes. One morning I saw a male cardinal (I know this because he was bright red) sitting on a branch. I sat on the couch looking out and talking to him. Whatever he thought, he sat there for several minutes. This happened every day for about a week.
After that we went up to Pennsylvania to visit my grandmother. It was a bit upsetting because I had become attached to that pretty red bird. But I wanted to see Babci so I didn't complain. Well Babci had a front porch on her house which sported a wonderful bench swing. One afternoon I was on the swing and a cardinal just showed up. He landed on the cherry tree and sat there for a few minutes, long enough for me to say a few words.
I was so excited and ran to tell my mother about the cardinal. She was very serious when she explained that it wasn't the same bird. Now I'm an intelligent person. Logically I know that it couldn't have been the same bird, but that didn't mean that little 7 year old didn't know in her heart that they were one in the same.
Anyway, I've taken to carrying a camera with me on the off chance I see any of the birds and get a picture. Not that it helps when my hands are full when I see them. I walked around the corner to my apartment after work this afternoon and saw a beautiful male sitting on a piece of wood dislodged by all the wind and rain we've had. I stopped, amazed, when a female flew past and sat on the privacy fence. So, of course, I was unprepared.
Lately
Since I'm not crocheting much lately I thought I'd just share a bit of what my life can be like.
I live in NE Florida and we just experienced several days of rain thanks to TS Beryl. No damage to where I live, although some of my potted plants outside were tossed around a bit and the entryway suffered a minor flood. It's tile so no damage although the adjacent carpet got wet. I'm prepared, though, with a shop vac and a carpet shampooer, as well as a spot cleaner. I have a dog, so I need to be like a boy scout!
That's enough for today.
I live in NE Florida and we just experienced several days of rain thanks to TS Beryl. No damage to where I live, although some of my potted plants outside were tossed around a bit and the entryway suffered a minor flood. It's tile so no damage although the adjacent carpet got wet. I'm prepared, though, with a shop vac and a carpet shampooer, as well as a spot cleaner. I have a dog, so I need to be like a boy scout!
That's enough for today.
20 May 2012
Finally
I finally have something on my hook again. I joined a yahoo group (Crochet in Common) which is a wonderfully active group. The group does a lot of things and there is a lot of chatter, too. It helped me get beyond my crocheter's block and find my inspiration again.
A week or so ago someone suggested doing an afghan with the States as the blocks. Since the group has members from other countries it was decided to do blocks that are representative of either the state or country where you live.
Sooooo . . . I'm designing one for Florida. It is my first real attempt at designing something other than an afghan or blanket, and so far I'm pleased with how it is turning out. I'm using variegated yarn for most of it (maybe all) because I like how it pulls in the natural variations found in nature.
It's a beach scene and will have a palm tree in it. The palm tree is what I feared most but as I've crocheted the block the way to crochet the palm came to me. I wanted to capture the textured trunk and was unsure how to make sure it was somehow apparent. I think I've solved it. No details yet, but once it's completed I'll post the picture and the instructions. Till then . . .
A week or so ago someone suggested doing an afghan with the States as the blocks. Since the group has members from other countries it was decided to do blocks that are representative of either the state or country where you live.
Sooooo . . . I'm designing one for Florida. It is my first real attempt at designing something other than an afghan or blanket, and so far I'm pleased with how it is turning out. I'm using variegated yarn for most of it (maybe all) because I like how it pulls in the natural variations found in nature.
It's a beach scene and will have a palm tree in it. The palm tree is what I feared most but as I've crocheted the block the way to crochet the palm came to me. I wanted to capture the textured trunk and was unsure how to make sure it was somehow apparent. I think I've solved it. No details yet, but once it's completed I'll post the picture and the instructions. Till then . . .
22 April 2012
Creativity Block
I have been facing a creativity block the like I had hoped was behind me. I have been searching blogs and Ravelry for patterns to ignite a spark but so far it has eluded me. I have plenty of patterns that I'd like to make, but actually starting is the issue. I have a nice stash built up from my last burst of creativity so yarn is not the problem. That said I have purchased a few skeins in hope they would help. I've actually attempted one project, an afghan for me (I never make anything for me) but I'm having such a difficult time with the pattern that I rarely pick up my hook. I'll take some pictures of my inspiration (if I can get some) and post them next time. I'll also explain the pattern I'm using, which has been adapted from a Redheart pattern.
07 April 2012
I'm ashamed to admit that it has been so long since I've been here. Truthfully, though, I lost my creative flow for awhile. Then I was in an accident in early November in which my car was totalled and my neck and back injured. That has caused issues with my being able to do anything crafty. I'm not 100% but I am getting to a point where I am able to do something for short spurts. So I'm off for now and will try and be better about getting crafty. I have started a new project, finally, but don't have pictures yet. Once I get a new batter for my camera I will post my progress and where you can find the pattern I used.
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