Tag Archives: Crochet

Crochet Notes

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It’s been awhile since I posted a crochet post. However, I’ve not been neglecting my creative duties. I finished the 2018 A to Z Challenge with a quilt top,  began the Season of Yardwork and Gardening, did plenty of mending, got contacted to do some custom items, and finished the following little number for my Etsy shop. There’s never a dull moment at my house.

Just going to make one more of these in Pink and white before I dive into some other projects.

 What’s next? With the heat of summer, I will most likely stick with small projects that won’t raise my temperature in Missouri’s humid months. Here are some Pinterest ideas I find enticing.

I highly encourage these motif centered ideas for my crochet friends along with a tall glass of lemonade while sitting on  your porch. Don’t forget the fan!

 

 

 

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Pastel Bavarian/Sunday Sampler

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This is Sunday and time for the latest photo proof of my needle labors.

Beginning with Blue
The color palette is pastel.

There are many free tutorials online that demonstrate this technique called Bavarian Crochet. I chose to purchase a book because I am old fashioned like that.

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Each motif is about 2 inches across.

I have to admit that it took me 3 attempts to finish the beginning (blue) section before I could do the color change. I started this in the waiting room January 19 during my mother’s heart stent surgery. There was another crocheter passing by who was certain she knew exactly how I needed to accomplish the pattern. Guess what? She was stumped too. lol My loving sister was silently observing during this moment and I could see her silently chuckling to herself. The joke was between us but I’ll let you in on it……she knew I would figure it out just fine without this lady’s interference. I definitely caught her eye roll as the woman bragged on her ‘years’ of crocheting as punishment as a child.

Crochet for punishment?? Whatever?!

PastelBavarian

Crocheters of the world, I hope you enjoy this rendition of ‘Crochet Crime and Punishment’. As far as I’m concerned, I’ll be just fine sitting on my back porch with needles and thread. Punish away!

Cheshire Cat

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Sunday Sampler

Saturday we made a trip to Columbia, Missouri, for a child care training. Unfortunately, upon arrival, we had some terrible news. The trainer who had been planning to head the class, along with her office help, had passed away totally unexpectedly. We have known Annette for several years, had her in my home, exchanged stories of personal experiences and, I feel, were friends. You can imagine the shock and tears that were part of the reactions among our group of caregivers. That’s our job. To care. Being the training was canceled at that point, the decision was made that it was time for my husband and I to regroup and spend some time enjoying life. I think she would have wanted us to do that in her memory.

So we traveled along some side roads on the return trip home, took some great photos, and just took in some views of Mid-Missouri on a September Saturday. I will definitely be sharing some of my pics in the future. But for today, I’m sharing a little purchase I made in Arrow Rock, Missouri, at A Grand Yarn. I highly recommend a look-see.

Bag

It’s in this bag. Great things often come in small packages. And this one will be used for me to create a ‘remembrance’ item.

Cheshire Cat

This choice is a definite splurg. I’ve never spent this much on yarn before but it Had to be meant for me on this particular day. 2 things about this package:

  1. I Loved Alice in Wonderland as a girl so much! I am Sure my mother was sick of reading it to me night after night. And notice the ‘Cheshire Cat’ “Wonderland Yarns” and ‘pigments of imagination’. Mother would agree this is the one for me.
  2. Notice the “Beautiful Soup: Pot No. 1”? Annette was always demonstrating recipes, helpful hints and reminding us of the importance of keeping up with our menus.

Yep, Annette, this is meant to be! Rest in Peace and See you on the other side!

 

 

How’d It Go?/ Sunday Sampler

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Sunday Sampler

The season to begin Christmas shopping officially opened yesterday here in Central Missouri at the Windsor Septemberfest 2017. We were stationed at the Windsor Elementary School gymnasium in Windsor, Missouri, respectfully, along with many other crafters from around the region. Mother, my husband, and I were set up by the 8:45 am deadline.

Special thanks to our family and friends that showed up to help out, purchase or even just say hello! We loved seeing you!

Windsor September 17

Mother’s jams, jellies and salsas are a main attraction each time we attend an event. 

Kerchiefs are a great seller on Etsy and they get lots of Ooh’s and Aah’s during the day.

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Going to be in the Etsy shop by end of today.

And then I have a little collage of the ‘Sold’ items.

WindsorSept'17Sold

A common denominator to purchases at these venues seems to be the desire to find that One of a Kind item. Even the LuLaRoe seller behind our booth tended to know this little tid bit. Nothing seemed to have a duplicate.

So, Sellers of the Land, let it be known that mass produced items are not in huge demand to small-town USA (exceptions: candles and other great scented items). I hope this trend continues because buying handmade truly supports small businesses.

Scrubbing Away/ Sunday Sampler

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Cringe

 There it was in my email. A new project that was supposed to take 1 hour. There were some others but this one had no reviews yet and the picture looked like I could figure it out if the instructions went awry.

Well after this evening, I’m gonna cringe admitting this, but I won’t be putting the first review down. I was taught that if you can’t say anything good, keep your trap shut. Many times I’ve botched that up. But not this time. I am going to one-up this and make it better. I’m fixing the pattern to make it better, faster, easier.  In the mean time, you get to see my finished product. It’s not quite like the one on the pattern page. Similar but not. I eliminated several steps and inserted some of my own.

Bottle scrubber

That little red adornment on the wooden spoon is a bottle scrubber…. of sorts. The yarn is a special nylon ‘scrubbie’ yarn and it will most definitely do the job with all the bottles we wash at this daycare. Didn’t you know that the dishwasher melts water bottles??? And did you know I can throw this little fabrication in the washing machine after each use?? I may have to throw a few of these on the Etsy shop. Wooden spoons not included.

SundaySampler

Reflections/ #AtoZChallenge

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Creativity can get stale, stagnant and cause a mental ‘writer’s block’ of sorts at times. In my REFLECTIONS post for the 2017 A to Z Challenge, I’m going to share some things that I’ve accomplised in the week since the end of April.

But first, I’m going to wish my husband a Happy 30th Wedding Anniversay as this is today. We’ll be celebrating later on in the week but I had to throw that in there. He has been my biggest advocate in The Challenge each year. Just when I think I am not going to go forward with it, he’s right there cheering me on. He even helps me catch up on the household chores in the evening just when I think I’ll never make the necessary adjustments to one of the letter posts in time. Everyone has a letter that stumps them and causes us to put it off until the very last moment. Thanks to my hubby for being there to give my mind time to work it out.

Back to the accomplishments. I haven’t written a line since April 30th. I have taken the needed break that many find rewarding after such an intense writing event. It’s not my usual practice to blog every day. The combination of blogging and quilting made it even more intense, even though I worked ahead most of the time. Working full time and blogging daily is indeed an Olympic-style event for me.

To return to my regular routine, there was the crochet,Reflections4

This is a crochet round made with a new ‘scrubby’ yarn. I’ve been giving a few out to try out as both dish washing and showering/bathing use. The results have been good for both. It’s just a matter of personal preference. The yarn comes in many colors so I look for these to be a hot item this coming year as a gift item.

Reflections5

And then there was more quilting. This is my latest project that is waiting for a ‘name sash’. I will be embroidering it and inserting it in the quilt. This is a special request and I’m trying very hard not to rush this one. Some things need careful planning.

In the middle of The Challenge, there was a custom order. I’m very thankful for #1, the patience of the customer, and #2, the volunteer model who helped me out in a pinch. The timing worked out in the end and I think everyone was happy. Thank Heaven!

As for the Challenge itself and the changes in posting technique, I found it worked out very well. I didn’t run across but maybe 1 or 2 blogs that weren’t legitimately participating. There weren’t near as many participants this year, true. But I found it pretty nice to see the conformists running the show and being fine with the changes. In the end, I am happy for the Team Leaders who run the show and were able to have a much less stressful event. Kudos to you all and many thanks for a great year!

 

 

Some Royal Blues/Sunday Sampler 

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Future pattern for sale in the works. 

Decisions/Sunday Sampler

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Sunday Sampler

 Everything was decided. We only had to add a flower to this one and the other one in blue.

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My sister would have her two matching hats for her surprise gift. And in time for Christmas.

But then I had to dive into the yarn stash……and decided to experiment a little.

Hat2.png

Now there are 2 versions. This one uses thicker yarn (Medium weight) and the first lighter weight and, to me, is more Springy. So the dilemma is now hers. Which one would be the better gift for Christmas?? As for me, I’m now working on those flowers.

I Don’t Need a License to Carry/Sunday Sampler

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Meet “N”

my-9-00-mm

My 9.00 MM.

I’ve done quite a bit of damage this past week with this lil’ Gat.

Other “Pet Names” can include:

  • Piece
  • Carbine
  • Repeater
  • Saber
  • Ordnance

The retired law enforcement hubster could give me more names, but we’ll keep this list small for starts. I may end up on a list with the NSA, CIA, FBI or who knows??

Around here though,

Keeping it clean with crocheted washcloths.

dishcloths-image

Uses for a Hand Crocheted Dishcloth don’t stop with the dishes.

  • Nubbies are great for scrubbing your countertops
  • Soft texture is nice for baby’s bathtime (or Mom’s)
  • Keep them handy for a quick trivet when the bowls are too hot for your table.
  • Dust and toss in the wash.
  • Teether towel. Just dampen with cold water and serve to sooth those tender gums.
  • Add to gift baskets this season with other kitchen or bath items.

Eco friendly and durable, these will last for many years with proper care.

Hope you enjoyed today’s shot of the Sunday Sampler