AW: my squares were featured on Pay it Forward

As some of you know (if you have been reading along) that I have done some charity work (I am starting slowly) and made a bunch of squares to send to a little girl in New Mexico for her school's Pay it Forward project. Well I finally checked and she featured me on her blog (I am the Benicia CA one). Here is the pic she used (aren't the blocks pretty?). Now I just need to share some of my other work with y'all. Hopefully, I will get around to that soon.

Book Review: Blueprint Crochet

I love books, maybe even more than I love crafting but I can't be sure. I am going to add to my crafting madness here by including reviews of my favorite crochet and crafting books. We will start with a new jewel!!


Blueprint Crochet by Robyn Chachula


My hubby just bought me this book because he wants me to work on sweaters for me and thought some of these were very cute and structural (which I love). It also to be written by one of my all-time crochet designer Robyn Chachula. The book includes lots of really architectural designs (lots of math and science-y looking stuff) but it is all done through symbols!!! Symbols work so much better for me than actual instructions it is insane. I actually find that I don't even try most difficult patterns if they don't have symbols and diagrams to help. I am a very visual person so I need that kind of support (and I am sure other people need it too).

I really want to make everything in this book but especially the Sarah Bee Dress and the Katie Bolero. The book is totally worth the $23 if you want cute structural wearables. Check out Robyn's blog to find out more about this book and her other work (linked to the book title). I can't wait to share some of the things I make with this book!!! Oh and the cover is so cute too!


Enjoy!

Blog Facelift: courtesy of Jannypie!

So if you have been following the blog (or even if you haven't) you might notice it is really cute now and much more reader-friendly. Well I have been looking at the blog wondering why no one seems to want to read it, and it is very likely because I don't blog that often. However, I also thought the look was a little lacking. I know that a cute blog does not equal an interesting blog but at least I am trying. So I changed the regular blog background and colors and then added a header image from a lapghan I am currently working on, cute huh? But what about the really 'sweet' detail on the outside? Well that is courtesy of Jannypie. Check out her website for free blog backgrounds and lots of other over all cuteness. Thanks Jannypie for the wonderful new look!! I hope it means my posts will be more interesting... well we will see ;).

Finally a finished Paisley Skies Scarf

So yes I did finish it (I am still weaving in some ends but on the most part it is done). I adapted the paisley pattern from one I found online (Patti had them available to see here). I really like the colors and how they work together. In the end I edged it with a modified pattern from a book (150 Crochet Trims). It is called an iris stitch but I like how it looks a little changed. I took the pictures pretty quick so they are not great but I hope you get the idea. The first one is me wearing it (and boy is that not flattering) and the second is just a closeup of the end of the scarf. I am currently filling the white spaces between paisleys (the gaps) and weaving in ends but it is war, and I love how quirky it is. Enjoy!

Wow I am not photogenic but the scarf still looks good. Below is the end of the scarf showing the detailing. I used our Peruvian fabric as a background (isn't it pretty?).

Freeform: Part 1

As it is NatCroMo I am trying my hand at freeform crochet for the the first time. We are working off themes each time and our first these is 'A is for Apple.' I took this to inspire my yarn and overall look. I used a kitchen ww cotton in green and a mixed mohair in rainbow together to get this effect.

I then crocheted a sort of flower (it is time for apple blossoms) and I really like what I got. I used a I hook and it turned out an ok size. I actually really like the results and am not sure i want to add anything to it but I will try for more when more is posted. Enjoy!

Happy NatCroMo!!

March is NatCroMo (also IntCroMo) which is celebrated all over the country (and world) both IRL and online. I have decided to celebrate this year in a couple of ways. I am going to blog everyday (or as close as possible) about crochet, charity work, crafting, and learning about crochet. I am doing several things this month to celebrate, including: taking two classes online at crochetville, participatine in my first freeform on ravelry, and starting some charity work (probably Project Linus but I don't know yet). I will keep you all up-to-date with that. In fact, later today (if it actually happens) I will post about the two patterns I have tested and some other projects I am working on. Please feel free to check out the information on both Ravelry and Crochetville.

Oh and Happy NatCroMo!