Friday, December 22, 2006

Merry Christmas

Boring

Well its Friday, 22 December and I am sitting all by myself at work. The boss is in Colorodo and the rest of the staff is off. Offically today is a half day work day. But the boss never remembers so he told everyone we were off today. Since I'm taking all of next week off I didn't feel I should leave the office "unmanned" today.

I've been working on a scarf and poncho this week. Should finish the poncho over the weekend, not sure about the scarf. I was invited to join Carol Venture's new Tapestry Crochet group. I had made two purses using her technique and although I have several project to finish (including sweet potatoe!) I am tempted to start another purse using the Tapestry technique.

Hope to post more pictures this weekend

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Precious Pals

Members of the Charlotte Knitting Quild clothed bears and donated them to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Domestic Violence Department. Here is a group picture


Here is a picture of the bears I contributed

Thanks again for the bears! Everyone was looking at them this morning! They loved them! Everyone did a great job! We truly appreciate them and will put them to good use!

Melissa
Domestic Violence Crisis Intervention Counselor
Providence/South/Independence Divisions
Domestic Violence Unit - Family Services Division
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department

Friday, December 01, 2006

Crocheter's Christmas

Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
There was unfinished crocheting not under the tree,
The stockings weren't hung by the chimney with care'
Cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
But I had not finished the caps for their heads.
Dad was asleep---he was no help at all.
And the sweater for him was 6" too small.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I put down my hook to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash.
Tripped over my yarn and fell down in my stash.

The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow
Reminded me how far I still had to go.
When out on the lawn I heard such a noise,
I was sure it would wake up both Dad and the boys.

And although I was tired--my brain a bit thick,
I knew in a moment that it must be St Nick.
Yet what I heard left me very perplex-ed
For nothing I heard was what I expect-ed.

"Move Rowan! Move Patons! Move Koigu and Clover!
Move Shelridge! Move Starmore! Move Spinrite! Move over!
Lopi, don't circle around, just stand there in line.
Pay attention you sheep and you'll work out just fine!
I know this is hard as it's just your first year
But I'd hate to go back to 8 tiny reindeer."

I peered over the sill. What I saw was amazing:
Eight wooly sheep on my lawn all a-grazing!
And then in a twinkle, I heard at the door
Santa's big boots stomping on the porch floor.

I rose from my knees and got back on my feet.
As I turned around, St Nick I did meet.
He was dressed all in wool from his head to his toe
And his clothes were hand crochet from above to below.

A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back.
And his toys were all stuffed in an Aran crochet sack.
His hat was a wonder of bobbles and lace
A beautiful frame for his rosy red face.

The scarf on his neck could have stretched for a mile,
And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.
On the back of his mitts was an intricate cable.
And suddenly on one I spotted a small label:

"S.C." in duplicate on the cuff. So I asked,
"Hey, Nick, did YOU crochet all this stuff?"
He proudly replied, "Ho, ho, ho, yes I did.
I learned how to crochet when I was just a kid."

He was chubby and plump, a well dressed old man,
And I laughed to myself, for I'd thought up a plan.
I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,
And the next thing he knew, he was tied to a chair.

He spoke not a word, but looked down in his lap
Where I had laid my crochet hook and yarn for a cap.
He began then to crochet, first one cap then 2--
For the first time I thought I might really get through.

He put heels in the stockings and toes in some socks,
While I sat back drinking a scotch on the rocks.
Quickly like magic his hooks they flew,
Good Grief! He was finished by two!

He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
And over his shoulder he looked back at me.
I heard him explain as he sailed past the moon,
"Next year, start your crocheting sometime around JUNE!"

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Commissioned Projects


I was commissioned to crochet a shrug and poncho for a 5 year old. Forgot to take a picture of the shrug but here is the poncho. The bottom was supposed to have two rows of eyelash yarn but the buyer didn't like it so I changed it to a scolloped edge. Took less than one skein of yarn and three hours. Sold it for $15

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Arts and Crafts Fair

I am considering putting some of my crocheted things on this websiet. Does any one have any comments




ArtsAndCraftsFair.com : Thousands of items, hundreds of merchants - Endless Variety



Thousands of items, hundreds of merchants - Endless Variety.

Arts & Crafts Fair


Saturday, November 11, 2006

United Methodist Church - Pineville

No, pictures today. We were too spread out to get decent pictures. The space cost me $25 dollars and I sold $65.75 worth of crocheted items. After deduction the fee and Virdie's things I made $29.50 I sold the Black felted purse at the last minute. A lady liked it but thougth it was too small, she didn't even make it to her car before turning around and buying ti.

I hope to finish the pink shrug this weekend. Sue, a co-worker, asked if I had any shorter (3') scarves. Her church members want to include them in Christmas boxes. As I only have 6 - 8 foot scarves, I am going to try and crochet some for them.

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Pineville Nazarine Craft Show

My sister-in-law and I shared two space at the Pineville Nazarine Craft Show. They were back to back which was different and allowed for a more open arrangement of our display racks. Did much better. The space cost us $45 each and I grossed $86.25. Small by some standards but I as happy. Made my booth fee with extra.

Saturday, November 04, 2006

My crocheted Lucy (wrist bag) in Green loopi and Lion Landscape. I love the way Lion Brand Landscape felts

A large crocheted felted tote, in Loopi rust, green, gray and black. I put a pocket on the inside
















Mystery yarn. The strap was too long after I felted it so I cut it and put belt buckels on it to make it adjustable



















This purse was crocheted with black Lopi yarn and Lion Brand Confetti. Unfortuantely when I felted the black yarn dull the bright colors of the confetti (I sold this at the United Methodist Craft fair)








I crocheted a second bag but used RH WW and confetti. I love the colors in this one. I put inside zipper pockets in both


Felted Purses


Well I finally took pictures of several of my crocheted felted purses. I found Reynolds Lopi (bulky) when The Sewing Bird closed this year. I love it for my purses. The one to the left was made with red, black and teal. I got ambitious and completly lined it and put in two large zipper compartments.


My camera is responsible fot he two shades of red

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Pleasant Grove Craft Show

Well I paid $50 for a 4 X 16 foot space and sold $58 worth of crocheted things. Sold one of the first felted purses I made, a scarf, some polymer pins but none of the afghans (the big ticket items)
Made some new friends.















I will be at the Pineville Church of the Nazarene Craft show on 4 November and hope to sell the felted purse I made to match a scarf I sold.

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Freezer Assets

I started a new project. Freezing meals. I was trying to determine the best way to ensure my mom, who lives with me, ate during the day while I am at work. We had tried the local "meals on wheels" but the food did not appeal to her and it was often left outside on a shelf. While goggling I came upon a site that discussed creating enough meals to last for a month. This was more than I wanted but it got me thinking about breakfasts and lunches I could plan ahead and would require very little preparation on my Mom's part. Mom has trouble standing for any lenght of time. Just standing in front of the stove to cook an egg has prove too much for her. I have started small with pancakes & waffles for breakfast. I have also started freezing my left overs immediatly after each meal rather than assume we will eat them for the next meal. So I now have enought mashed potatoes for two meals, a roast, bacon, sweet potatoes and gravy, just waiting for when I need them.

Teddy Bears & Purses

I can't believe its been a month since my last entry. But I warned you.

The Charlotte Knitting Guild is making sweaters for teddy bears as part of their service project. So far I have made three sweater (two my own design) and one poncho. I will post a picture once I get a chance.

I have finally started lining the many purses I have crocheted. Finished one and have started on another. Still need to add the inside pocket to a third and the handles to a fourth. I have made a promise to myself that I won't start anything new until I get these finished. Too many WIP and UFO!

I gave a demonstration on hairpin lace and broomstick lace last night to the Charlotte Knitting Guild. It was well received. One disappointment was I did not have a completed project of the hairpin lace. Oh well.

Well hopefully before month's end I will have some new pictures to post

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Completed Crochet Projects



Some of my crocheted items.


I don't just crochet. Here are some of my craft projects. My Dad built the snowmen and birdhouses and then I decorated them.


Pinky a crocheted elephant. I tested this crochet pattern for a member of the WAMY yahoo group ( which is now defuncted)

Easter Swap

The Cadbury chick. I crocheted it as part of an Easter Swap

Cleo the Frog



Cleo, my first minature crocheted animal. I gave it to Katie when she moved to Chicago with her husband and son. He was offered a church outside of Chicago

Charlotte Knitting Guild

Well I couldnt find a crochet group to join so I joined the Local Knitting Guild. I been to three meetings. I have been made to feel welcomed. So much so that I will be demonstrating hairpin lace and broomstick lace at the September meeting

As usual my interest in miniature bears didn't last long. I'm back to purses, especially felted patterns. I have found a pattern of a wrap around scarf in hairpin that I like but I had to order a new loom as the ones I have are not wide enough.

Monday, March 27, 2006

Well I warned you I wouldn't be regular. Although Sweet Potatoe is still in the works, I did get a amini mushroom crocheted and sent off to my swap partner. Also made several accessories, two hats, shoes purses, shall and two necklaces for my thread partner. I am now working on a chick in an egg for another swap. More later

Friday, March 03, 2006

Sweet Potatoe

Earlier this week I crocheted the head and body of a teddy bear. I've done it in Patons sock yarn in an orange/brown color. To make it interesting I did the ears in olive green. Based on my color choice I have played with calling it spice or pumpkin but I think I will call it Sweet Potatoe.

Wednesday I started on one of the legs for my new teddy bear only made it as far as the ankel (the feet are also in the olive green, the legs will be orange). Last night I decided I should do the other foot so they would be the same size. I had noted I was using a size 6 crochet hook so thats what I used for the second foot. By the time I got to the ankel I realized I had used a 9 on the other foot!. So I started over. Kept the bigger foot for another day

I hope to finish it over the weekend. I am considering crocheting a vine to wrap around it if I can downsize the pattern I have

I have to do the head for class 4 tonight so I may not get much done on this bear tonight. Once I'm done I will post a picture

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Don't expect to make regular entries. I was never very good a keeping a diary. Just wanted someplace to post my crochet projects