My first CAL

Back at the end of June, I seen this cute crocheted beach bag pattern by A Creative Being.  I can't remember if I found it via Pinterest, another blog, or Ravelry, but I loved the look of the bag.

Wink of A Creative Being was hosting a CAL...what is that you ask?  It is short for Crochet-A-Long. It is where a group comes together (via the web) and makes an item from the same pattern :D  I joined the Ravelry group and was so excited to make my bag along with other crocheters :)

I was even asking questions of the other participates...it was fun.  But then I got to the end of the pattern and tried to use metal rings as she did, I didn't like the way it came out...so I unraveled a bit and just used holes like she explained we could do...I mean this isn't a contest to see who can make it exactly like she did...it is just a guide, but she did recommend you could skip the metal rings :)  

Then I couldn't find rope or handles that I liked so I ended up braiding yarn for the rope and crocheting my own handles.

It is very Neapolitan ice cream :)

She was holding a contest which I missed by 2 weeks because I am slow!  But it was fun regardless :)

Thanks for looking!

Still dreaming of Crafting...

It has been a while since I posted.  We've been doing a lot of household stuff to get ready for a big party next weekend (Super Bowl :/ ), so I haven't been very crafty lately, but I wanted to blog.

For Christmas, I got this Michael's Recollection Binder/Album.  I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it, but I knew I really needed it.

It is similar to a Smash Book, but instead it has binder rings so you can add more papers to it or move the pages around--which I really like!

I did think about using it to put my Instagram photos in it, but I had over 500 pictures since I started in June 2011 and I knew I wouldn't be slowing down on my photo sharing anytime soon.

Then I thought I would use it as sort of a portfolio for my crocheting.  Perfect way to remember everything I have done, sold, given away...

Persnickety Prints has a template for either 2x2 or 3x3 photos (marketed for Instagram) that print on a 12x12 photo.  Perfect!  I have some of my yarn work on Instagram, but the ones I don't I can still print in small squares.  I choose the 2x2 just because you get more for your buck :D

I realized that I have made a lot more than I remember in the past 3 years that I have been crocheting. I also realized I haven't shared everything on my blog.  So I want to share 3 bags I made in 2010 from this Lion Brand Yarn "Circle Dance Bag" pattern.

I like this one because it reminds me of Raspberry, Orange, Pineapple Sherbert :D  (I still have it--to be sold someday.)

This one I didn't change the color so much in order to avoid weaving in the ends.  In 2010, my husband's work had a charity event and this was given as a prize (along with a scarf and a pack of cards--all individually raffled off--people got to choose if they wanted it and they were a big hit!  Who knew?!?!)

And this one was made for my niece.

The first two bags were made from Lion Brand Cotton-Ease Yarn (Azalea/Maize/Almond and Almond/Lake/Charcoal) and the 3rd Bag was Lion Cotton (Black & Purple) and Sugar N Cream (Mod Blue).

The one change I made to the pattern was at the top of the bag, I used all 3 colors for the "rim" of the bag (the last 3 rows of the project).

I am thinking of doing another one for me in this pattern

The pattern on the pillow...not the bird (ha ha ha).  It is the pillow from The Big Bang Theory and I just love the pattern.  It will be quite a project to attempt, but I think I can do it--when I have some extra time.

Hobo Bag

A few weeks ago, I started this Hobo Bag on a road trip and I finished it a couple of weeks later in time to give it to a friend's daughter for her birthday.

I used 2 skeins of Sugar N Cream "Over the Rainbow" and 1 skein of Sugar N Cream "White".  The cute pattern was found via Ravelry by ~sarahndipities~.

The only trouble I ran into was at the beginning/end of each round.  You couldn't really see it too badly on the rainbow part.

But on the white part, the gaping holes were more apparent.

I could make sure that the front was very prominently noticeable.  Or I came up with the idea of making this the front and hiding it with flowers.

It was risky, but I liked this solution the best.  The birthday girl and my friend loved it and I got some compliments on my crocheting skills :)

In my bag

I have read a lot of "in my bag" posts over the years, so I thought I would finally give it a try.

This is my crochet notions bag.

I got this bag a lllllllllllooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnngggggggggg time ago.  It is originally from Bath & Body Works.  I think my mom gave me the bag then it sat in my gift wrapping box forever waiting to be used.  Finally, I had the perfect use for it.

A look inside. 

Sometimes when I am working on a small project--like a hat, I take out the stuff I don't need and just put a skein of yarn inside.  When closed, it is 2 1/2 inches thick, so it fits more than one would think from looking at the picture.



 1.  11 hooks from Lion Brand, Susan Bates, and Boye

 2.  Pencils & pen to note any variations that I have used to patterns

 3. & 4.  Yarn Needles  The blue ones are for thicker yarns and the steel ones are the most used.  I am sad because I lost one of the needles from my steel set...yes, I can only use one at a time, but I don't like losing things--it feels incomplete :(

 5.  Martha Stewart Scissors  These were given to me by my aunt.  I was looking for some small scissors for scrapbooking and she loaned these to me.  I loved them and she let me have them.  Little did I know I would soon use them strictly for cutting my yarn.  I love these little scissors.

 6.  Lion Brand PomPom Maker  I don't really care for this pompom maker, but it does it's job.

 7.  Susan Bates Stitch Markers  I used these once and I didn't really care to use them.  But I probably should, it would help me not have to count as much :)

 8.  Tape Measure.  I took this out of my sewing "kit"...(**my sewing kit entails white and black thread, some needles and ironing hem, because that is how crafty I am--ha ha ha.)

 9.  Carpal Tunnel Craft Glove.  When I first started crocheting, I crocheted very tightly and my hand hurt.  I still crochet too tight, but I have not needed the glove lately.

10.  Pin backs I thought I would use these more often, but I really haven't.  I figured when I make something with a flower I can just attach it with a pin so the buyer could easily take it off if they aren't in a flowery mood.

11.  Barrette backs  Same concept as the pins (attach to a hat or scarf) and I thought I would make some barrettes by themselves to sell...which I haven't done yet :p 

12.  Yarn labels--ok, this is kinda odd, but useful.  I keep the labels of the yarn I have used after I am finished with it.  It helps me with the washing instructions--useful, but I also keep them for every color...so say I have used Lion Brand Cotton-Ease, sure 1 label is helpful, but I have 5 of them (one for each color)--odd.

So there is a look into my slightly neurotic crochet bag.

Driving Projects

We recently came back from a 22 1/2 hour road trip.  The "original" route was supposed to take 7 1/2 hours one way, but it took us 11 1/2 hours to get there because of a couple of stops and LOTS of traffic.  On the way home, we decided to go another route and make some more stops along the way plus there was added traffic--blah!

The weekend prior to our trip, I picked up a nice supply of yarn at Michaels which was on clearance.  Each of these 8 skeins of yarn were 99 cents a piece!!!  Total score.  The "Over the Rainbow" Lily Sugar'n Cream is normally $1.99, but the Lion Brand Yarn Cotton-Ease is normally $7.99!!!  AWESOME

I search for the perfect patterns before pairing each with a color I had in my stash. 

For the rainbow yarn, I knew I wanted to make a bag, so I found this cute pattern via Ravelry by ~sarahndipities~.  Using 2 balls of the rainbow ombre and a partial ball of white Sugar'n Cream, I was able to complete 3/4's of this bag on the way to our destination.  Unfortunately, during our trip, I was unable to locate a Joann's or Michaels to purchase more white, so the bag had to wait to be completed.

Along with the Maize Cotton-Ease, I used some Cream to start a Child's Chevron Throw via Lion Brand Yarn. (you may have to be logged into the Lion Brand website to see the blanket.)  I was only able to complete about 1/3 of the blanket on our way home.

Over the years, I have enjoyed many hobbies, but crocheting is the one hobby I am happy to be able to do while being a passenger in the car or while waiting around place. 

I cannot wait to show the completed projects. 

In the Bag

I made my First bag--yay!!  I found this Produce Bag pattern at the Lion Brand Yarn website. 

I went with using Charcoal even though there was plenty of colors to choose from.  I didn't want anything too light since I hope it will get plenty of use and I didn't want anything too bright because I wanted it to match everything.  I really need to step out of the box when it comes to colors. 

I had decided (before making it) to give it to my godmother as a Mother's Day present.  I hope she likes it and uses it often.

*just a note to anyone wanting to make this bag using the pattern, the pattern called for 4 skeins, but I only used 3 on this project (but I do stitch pretty tight)