My Dad

My dad passed away 3 years ago today. So since he was the one who taught me how to crochet I thought today would be a good day to say something about him. I started crocheting when I was in high school, dad would read the pattern then show me how to do it. So I never learned how to read a pattern. After high school I quit crocheting and didn't pick up a hook again until 3 years ago when I got most of his yarn, hooks and books. I haven't been able to put down my crochet hooks since, and I've had to learn to read a pattern, it really wasn't that hard.......This is one of my favorite afghans that my dad made way back when, I'm embarrassed by the spots and snags, and tears in it, guess I need to give it a little maintenance. I think he even got a blue ribbon at the fair for this one.



I'd sure like to give him a call and talk about what I'm working on now............

Works in progress

This internet connection is working so slow, to make me not go crazy I crochet while I'm waiting for pages to come up. Right now I can't load pictures or links.............maybe someday. The other night I was having a glass of red wine, and clumsy me knocked it over. Of course the big splash had to hit on Kevin and Stephanie's afghan that I'm making for their wedding (was that a secret?), good thing for spray and wash. When I ordered the chenille yarn I'm using for the afghan I didn't realize what a pain it is going to be for them to keep it. But so far the chenille isn't shedding, which seems to be a big problem a lot of people have. I tied knots in all the ends, but I don't know if that is what is helping or not. But it also can't be thrown in the washer.............so I guess they'll have to just spot clean it or use Dryel when needed. I did notice the blue/grey wants to bleed onto the white when I was getting the wine out of it. Still have a small spot I need to work on. But it's looking really good, besides the red blotches (just kidding), it's big enough now to keep me warm while I'm working on it, but it's a pain when I have to turn and work on the next row. I want it to be big enough for both of them to use at the same time, too bad Kevin is so dang tall!

I also started a baby sweater for Josh and Audra's girl that is due in June. First time making a sweater, so we'll see how it turns out. It's the "Baby it's cold outside" sweater from Skamamma (as soon as I get my links working I'll add that one). Since the baby is due in June and the Tri-Cities are hotter then Hades in the summer, I'm making it out of Caron's Simply Soft in lavender for a lighter version, plus it will probably be too big to wear until Sept. anyway. I'm really hoping it won't turn out all crooked..........

2008 projects

I started seeing things made out of ties. All I had to do was let my friend Zonia know I needed some and the boxes started arriving in the mail. There was no getting out of this one! In exchange I needed to make her a purse. I found a few patterns online, but was totally intimidated by them, my skills are not up to those and neither is my 30 year old sewing machine! For starters I made a few wine bottle holders, they came out pretty good. They've been sent back to Washington, to the wine country to see how they will sell. Thank you Zonia. Oh, the purse......Zonia finally pinned me down last week to see how her purse was coming along. UGH! On Saturday I told Frank to not let me pick up a crochet hook until I had made Zonia her purse. Finally, I just threw out the directions I was trying to follow and came up with my own design, the quality isn't up to most of the purses I've been seeing online, but I was pretty satisfied with the results, and it was actually (gasp) FUN! I even put in a liner, didn't think I could pull that one off. I made 3 more! On a couple of them I used the wide tip of the tie (unfolded) for the inside pocket, I think that came out too cute.




I also came up with a new design for the wine bottle holders only using 2 ties instead of 4 and they look great, plus take less time to make. They just seem to design themselves.

A couple of potholders made from scraps. These I just love, but take more work then anything else I've done. I'm thinking I may have to keep these for myself.
A big box of goodies will be shipped to Zonia this week, she will be so proud! I wonder which purse she will keep for herself...

Fall 2007 project

I'll start with the fall projects. I had my first grand child last November, so that was a good place to start. I thought I would make him a blanket. I found this pattern in Lily Chen's book, and have made it twice now. It comes out big enough to fit the whole crib:
(I'll add the photo later)


Next came the slippers. I started off making me a pair of slippers, but they came out too big so Frank ended up with them and named them the Armadillo slippers:

I ended up making 3 or 4 more pairs like this, and finally made me a pair that looks nothing like this, but I didn't like the way the yarn feels on my feet so I lined them with fleece and that made them so much better. Eventually, the pattern evolved into, I think, a better looking pair of slippers:Maybe someday I'll make me a pair that looks like this. These were done for a swap, now I'm really liking this pattern. I've also been making some children's and baby booties using the fun fur so they look like little bear feet.

OK, I've finally broken down and made a blog. Since my computer and myspace hate each other I had to do something to keep in touch with friends and family. Plus I think this will be easier to display everything I've been up to this past winter. I came prepared for winter this year, I stocked up on my yarn and crafting supplies and kept myself pretty busy over the winter. I have a ton of stuff to show for it too. Once I found the Craftser website there was no turning back, that kept me full of ideas and swaps. Now all I need is more room for all of my stuff!