Bead Play

This weekend I took a little break from crocheting and worked on some bead projects.  I love working with seed beads.  My two favorite beading crafts for now seem to be weaving on the bead loom and bead kumihimo.  Saturday night I did some research on the Internet - looking for a bead designer so I can play around with patterns for some bookmarks and small tapestries to weave on the loom.  I found a free one, but am not too happy with the print options.  I want to be able to print a pattern on an index card so I can prop it up in my loom while weaving.  I'd really like to see a designer I can use both on my laptop and on a tablet pc (yet to be purchased). 

Today I spent some time finishing a couple of bracelets in my WIP pile.  I have a few beaded kumihimo bracelets waiting for the finishing touches and clasps.  I was only able to finish 2.  I need to buy some more spacers so I can finish up the others.  I have a bracelet started in my kumihimo disk, and I have some sets of beads strung waiting to be woven.  The beaded kumihimo bracelet is another one of my projects that I hope will turn into sales one day.

Crochet A Rainbow

For many months I have admired the artistic talent of fellow crocheter Sarah London.  Sarah has recently started a campaign called "Crochet A Rainbow" in order to provide some comfort to flood victims of Australia.  For many years I have dedicated much of my crafting time to a very worthy charity based out of Pennsylvania.  This is the first time I've reached so far across the globe, but I feel blessed to be able to use my God-given talent in order to help in this special way.  Thank you, Sarah, for heading this up.

For more information, click on "Crochet A Rainbow" in the side bar.

Working on WIPS

One of my goals in 2011 - other than concentrating on baby items for the charity I volunteer for - is to finish up some WIPs that have been hanging around.  I have, oh, maybe 5 or more years worth of projects to complete.  Well, it might not be that bad.  But I do have a lot.  Over the summer when fleece was on sale, I bought 4 panels to edge in crochet.  I think they're 2 1/2 yards and 60 inches wide.  Nice and cozy, with a personal touch.  Here's the first.  I ran out of yarn before I could complete the final round, but I think I like it this way better - not so ruffly.
I have to make a plug here for the awesome tool I have to make the evenly-spaced notches in the fleece.  It's a rotary blade called the Skip Stitch blade.  Look it up on the Internet (using Goodsearch to help Online Angels, of course) and check it out.

Crochet for Birthday

My mother-in-law's birthday is exactly 2 weeks after Christmas - 1 week after New Year's.  I get so stressed out getting all the gifts for Christmas, her birthday usually pops up on me quicker than expected.  This year, she's getting hand made.


Crochet Scrubbies (cotton and plarn)

Crochet Dish Cloths



Crochet Hot pads



Crochet Coasters (6 in all)





2011 - Something New Saturday

While waiting on husband to bring a new car battery and rescue me from being stranded while out shopping, I walked over to JoAnn for some yarn and a hook.....  and came out with something I didn't plan on.  Check out this cool Tadpole knitting loom!  I have a wooden scarf loom I bought years ago, but these pegs are much closer - providing a tighter weave.  Love it!  I still have my first scarf on the loom, but it looks promising for my husband.

I must mention the obstacles I have while taking pictures - other than poor lighting for lack of a good photo spot.  This is Taluse - wanting attention - curious to see what I'm doing.

More Crochet

Until Christmas has passed, my crocheting and blogging time will be limited.  So, I thought I would post a few things I've completed these past couple of weeks.

Scarf made on a scarf rake knitting loom.  Hat is crochet - check out the ear flaps and brim.  Dark blue with hunter green accent.  I can't wait to see it on Little Mikey.

A crochet scarf and a hat made on a Knifty Knitter round loom.  Veriegated white / purple / green with purple and pink accents.  I love making spirals.  I think Layla will enjoy watching them spring and squiggle when she walks.

My second Special Olympics scarf.  Crocheted using a wave pattern.

Misc Crochet

A Christmas gift for my niece.  Pattern from Sarah London's Hip to Hook 2010 - Radiant Sunbeams.  I didn't follow the pattern for the backside - it's the same crochet in the round as the front, but without the loops for the beams.  I only used the yellow.  

 I added the loops of all the different colors on the outside edge - my own Cary2Crafty finishing touch.

This was a quick scarf I knit using my awesome scarf loom.  It's a little looser than I'd like, but it's super soft.  This will be a donation for Online Angels.  There's always a great need for scarves in the winter.

Something New Saturday - Ripple Pillow

I think my "Something New Saturday" might have to turn into just plain "Something New".  A new project from beginning to end sometimes takes me more than one day.  Last Saturday, I was battling a cold and really didn't feel up to crocheting.  For this post, I actually started the project last night.  I've been searching for a ripple pillow pattern from my great aunt's generation.  I posted an inquiry on my Online Angels group, and a member told me how she's made them in the past.  So I found the basic pattern, and chose up-to-date colors.  I loved how it turned out.  I can't wait to play with more color combinations for my pillow projects next year.

I was excited to get started on my Something New, but I made myself complete my final afghan Christmas present over Thanksgiving.

The first afghan I made for my sister-in-law Kimberly.  Using Simply Soft, it's a country blue color.  The pattern is from Heirloom Afghans (Leisure Arts), and is called Marvelous in Mauve.  (I used my artistic freedom and chose a different color.)

Next on the list was an afghan for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law - Ken and Lisa.  I've used this pattern before for my nephew when he got married.  For this afghan I also used Simply Soft, but using a dark blue.  The pattern is found in Birthstone AFGHANS  (Leisure Arts), called JULY - Ruby.  I've always loved the pineapple design.

The final afghan for my Christmas project is for my parents-in-law.  Again, using Simple Soft (can you tell it's my favorite yarn?) - this is a heather color - plum.  The pattern is another from Heirloom Afghans called Just Peachy (notice the color of mine isn't peach.)

Now that I have these out of the way, I get to work on my WIPs in addition to my donations for Online Angels.    Let's see - Amanda's blanket, another blanket using up some baby chenille, scarves for the Special Olympics, a candle cozy, fabric yo-yos, edged fleece blankets .....  I'm sure there are many others but they've been put away for so long I just can't remember.  Oh, and for next year - my personal projects will be pillows and more pillows.  Maybe slippers - as my family seems to get a kick out of the old-fashioned hand-crochet slippers.  For Online Angels, I'm going to concentrate on baby items.

Something New Saturday - Baby Booties

I chose a quick project for today because I knew I wouldn't have a lot of time to crochet.  I went to a funeral today of a dear old lady I've known for almost 30 years.  She was very talented - from cooking to crafting to artwork.  Almost 25 years ago she made my wedding cake and catered my wedding reception.

My something new to try today was a new pattern for baby booties.  The pattern was called Easy Baby Booties using Vanna's Baby Yarn by Lion Brand.  I loved the look, and a plus was these didn't require sewing, and they are one piece.  The instructions were clear for the sole, but coming up the sides they made absolutely no sense to me.  And the finish was even more bizarre because where I finished was at the end opposite of where the pattern said to end.  So.....  I had to improvise, and then I had to remember what I did when I made the mate.  Not my best work, so I'll end up throwing this pattern out - unless I can find it again with corrections.  I really like the look of these booties.  I used medium-weight 4-ply yarn, but I think baby yarn would work best - something lighter weight.  Lucky for me, my work is not a total loss.  The charity I volunteer for is great for finding the perfect home for whatever I make.

Something New Saturday - Spa Set

Yesterday I spent a lot of time "working out" with more cotton yarn.  I don't know why I feel like it takes more strength to crochet with cotton...  This Spa Set (Crochet World - August 2010) includes a wash cloth, scrubbie, and puff.  I used some cotton yarn from my stash - so not really spa colors.  I think the puff gave me the most challenge - working through all the ruffles, and wondering "am I almost done?"  But I really turned out neat, and I'm glad I tried it.  Next test is to see how it holds up when put to use. 

Last week I gathered everything up for my November box to send to Online Angels.  Shown are 250 squares.  I made 50 more squares to make 300 in the box.  After these, I think I have about 60 more to make to reach my 1000-square goal.  Also included in the box are some fleece blankets I found at the drug store marked way down.  And then some hotel toiletries and condiments collected for me by my husband and some co-workers.  These items make great stocking stuffers for senior homes, shelters, children's homes, and hospitals.