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!

Workspace Wednesday (#2)

A couple of weeks ago, I was reading Gleeful Things' blog and she was talking about yarn storage.  It reminded me that I have not shared my newest yarn storage!

So just as a reminder, when I first started crocheting in 2010, this was my storage...all my yarn fit into these two bags!

But because I am kind of a hoarder, that was very short lived.  I then used baskets and cute paper bags to help with the overflow.

Then it was starting to look too messy in the living room.

So back in January, I bought this Ikea Expedite (now they are sold under Kallax).  And because I am boring and am afraid of color, I bought the black cubes (which were on sale at the time).  

Since my Craft room is full (and also used as my husband's home office), the shelves are actually in my living room and I didn't want all the yarn to be seen.

All the cubes are full!

Here is a peek into a couple...

The cubes hold my different types of yarn, my finished items, and my tools :)

Thanks for looking.

Vintage Crocheted Coaster

After a brief hiatus from crocheting (for no reason other than to focus on scrapbooking), I finally crocheted a coaster for myself to use in my craft room.

I found this vintage pattern (via Pinterest), so I thought I would give it a go.

It was fun (and easy) to make and it will save my table from those dreaded cup rings.  I swore I'd never make doilies or any type of cozies (well except for coffee cup cozies), so if I ever make a cozy for the toilet paper rolls, please put me in a home :D

Thanks for looking.

ok...I lied...another crochet project :D

I was trying to hold off on doing any crochet projects until I got some scrapbooking done, but I was sitting on the couch catching up on American Horror Story and Castle and it dawned on me that I have been wanting to do this project for a while and I am just sitting here so I might as well do something "productive".

My friend Liz embroidered this for me a long time ago...like 2 years ago (sorry, Liz!).  First, it took me awhile to actually get a hoop because I'd forget every time I was at Micheals or Joanns or Hobby Lobby...which is quite often.  I finally got a hoop and I had planned on painting it turquoise to match all the other stuff I've painted in my craftroom...but it just sat in my "To Do" box.

Then this past September, I seen this cute crocheted hoop that Sew Chatty made.  Luckily, I hadn't painted the hoop yet.  Although I think I would have still crocheted the border even if I had painted it :)  Maybe I should have gone with a better colored yarn though instead of boring white :D

Ok...this will be the last crochet project for a while (maybe!) ha ha ha.

Thank you for looking.

Baby Blanket (Raiders--boo!)

I know I've been posting a lot of crocheted items lately.  But I think this will be the last one for a while.  I really want to scrapbook more this year.  I even made a list of items I want to complete this year.

Anyway, my husband's friends have been having babies recently!  This is the 3rd baby blanket I've made in the last 18 months for his friends.  Unfortunately, this friend is a Raider fan (boo!) ha ha ha.

 
It actually took me 19 weeks to work on it because I'd put it down and not think about it for a while.  Then I had to wait to see if they were having a boy or girl (It's a girl--3 football color blankets...3 girls!  ha ha ha).  I used a basic granny square pattern for 45 rounds, then 3 hdc rounds and finally a shell (to make it girly)…the result was 49 rounds…hmmm…coincidence?  I think not! :D  (Let's go Niners!)  It is actually a bit big, but that means they can use it on the floor and use it into the toddler years.

Thanks for looking!  And wish me luck that I make time to scrapbook soon!

More Crocheted items

In November and December, I crocheted 6 hats and an infinity scarf for my co-worker.

So of course I'd love to share them :)

These first two hats were kind of trial and error.  I used this pattern to figure out the edge, but I had to keep redoing them because they would either be too big or too small…but I finally got it just right :)  The first hat, I did a double crochet (not the stitch in the pattern at all).

This second hat, unlike the pattern, I used an alternating single crochet and double crochet to get the look.

Then I made my first infinity scarf (this was before my scarf turned infinity).  This was also a trial and error.  I first made it too short, then I made it too long…finally I got it just right :D (I totally need to stick to patterns).  It is supposed to go with the hat above, so I did the alternating single crochet, double crochet stitch throughout the scarf.

Then I made these easy double crochet hats for 2 boys and 1 guy.

And finally, I made this hat.  It was requested by my co-worker, but I seriously wasn't happy with the outcome…I guess I just didn't like the look.  But my daughter said she totally liked it (I think that is a big plus) and my co-worker said she loved it--but she wanted it so would she say she hated it?  This one I did use a pattern from Red Heart.

Thank you for looking!

Secret Santa Score

This year, at work, we decided to do a Secret Santa via Elfster.  The great thing about Elfter is you can add a wish list to let your Secret Santa know what you like.  Only a few people added to their wish list and I am pretty sure I had the most on my list :D  I just wanted to give my Santa choices.

I think I got the best Santa of the bunch.  Here is what I got (the limit was $25--but I think she spent a little more!)

My Secret Santa happened to be the co-worker I made the minion hats for in October (and I also made 5 other hats and an infinity scarf for her before Christmas).  I think she spent a little more than the budgeted amount because I only charge her for supplies and not my time :D

I have been wanting the Page Maps 2 book (yes, I still scrapbook) since it came out in 2010, but never pulled the trigger to buy it.  I seen the Crochet Boutique book in a review by Gleeful Things and I had actually checked the book out of the library, but again I didn't buy it because I have a hard time buying myself books…but if others buy them, I love them! :D

I already made the Cuddle Cowl from the Crochet Boutique book for my Goddaughter.

Previously, when I had checked it out of the library, I had made the Bonnie Beret and 2 Headwraps.

I rarely made anything for myself, but the headbands were for me :)  The orange one is worn to San Francisco Giants games and I scaled back on the number of rows :D  I plan on making another in black.

I really think this will be my go to book for a long while :D

From Scarf to Infinity

In March 2011, I made this scarf.

I made it with the intention of either selling it or giving it away.  Even though I liked the color combination, something just didn't look right.  Maybe it was the fringe…I don't know what it was, but it sat in my container waiting for me to do something with it.

Then yesterday, we were going to another Christmas celebration and I remembered I hadn't found anything for my Godmother.  So I pulled out the scarf, but still wasn't thrilled with it when it dawned on me to make it into an infinity scarf!

Ta-da!!!  I just removed the fringe and sewed the ends together…it took me about 5 minutes to transform it!!!  I loved it.  Funny thing is we did a white elephant gift exchange and my mom had made one similar to this (almost exact colors too!) and had put it into the exchange!

Edited to add pattern free from Red Heart.  The pattern had hearts and pom-poms attached, but I didn't add those, just added fringe originally.

I cannot for the life of me find the pattern, but it is just hdc stitch 18 rows alternating colors--I used Vanna's Choice in White, Silver Blue (looking grey in the picture), and Dusty Blue.

Thanks for looking :)

I am a crochet Minion :)

Early in October, my co-worker told me her daughter wanted them to all dress up as Minions from the movie Despicable Me (and Despicable Me 2).  I told her to look on Pinterest for all the cool ideas.  As we were browsing, I mentioned I could totally make the crochet hats we seen.  So I was "hired" to do the job (hired as in I only charge for materials--hey I am already just sitting there watching tv, might as well be crocheting something :D then she surprised me with a Starbucks gift card and lunch--woo hoo!).

I made 2 children's hats with detachable goggles (patterns are linked).  I only use the goggles pattern as a guide though.  I actually used pipecleaners as the base of the eye part to make it a bit sturdier.  Also, I used elastic in the back so that they would be a little less prone to fall off their heads.

They looked exactly the same--so I won't post them both :)

Then I made this adult hat with arms for my co-worker.  When I showed my son the pattern, he told me that I would not be able to do it--Challenged Accepted (totally got that phrase from How I Met Your Mother).  In the end she opted to not have the mouth, but still wanted the arms.

Then I made a men's hat and small teen hat out of the same pattern.  I used a combination of patterns to put this one together.

And finally, I made a slouchy hats for the teen.  I used a pattern I found via Ravelry.  

Edited to add:  But then she wanted it a bit more slouchier and the eyes connected, so I changed the above to this

My co-worker wanted me to make the eyes to be "rolled" eyes like most teens do on a daily basis :)

All the "hair" is made from black pipecleaners.  I could have used yarn, but my co-worker gave me this better alternative idea.

They were a hit!  They got compliments all night and both of the kids teachers wanted one.  Since I had extra yellow yarn, I made her two more hats for the teachers :D  (A total of 8 minion hats!--that is more than 1/2 the kids that came to my house for candy this year--ha ha ha...we got 13 trick-or-treaters.)

I have only watched the first movie...maybe when I am not tired of looking at minions anymore I will watch the second movie :)

Project Crochet

I've mentioned a couple of times that I am working on an album with just my crochet projects.

For Christmas, I received a SMASH-like book from Michaels that I am using for the sole purpose to show off all my work.

As I was gathering all my projects to print, I realized how many items I created in the 3 years I've been crocheting.  I was actually amazed at myself.  Yes, there were items that were frogged, but that doesn't mean I didn't spend the time to make it in the first place.

I used Persnickety Prints to print my photos.  I wanted an Instagram feel to the pictures, but I have only posted a handful of my finished projects.  I used the template that Persnickety has available and made 6- 12x12 sheets to be printed with 16- 2x2 prints each.

I added them randomly as I found them on my computer (it also gave me the chance to organize some of my photos into the right folders).

Someday I will have to load them all onto Ravelry.

 

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.

Adult SF Giants lap blanket

Another finished blanket. This one I started at the end of July. My plan was to make it in 2 weeks for my husband's birthday in August, but it got pushed aside for other projects.

I found the basic chevron pattern online in various places to start the base. Once I began, I realized it was too wide so I just did a sideway chevron pattern instead of starting over.

After 4 months, my husband finally got his blanket :)

Yarn Used: Loops & Threads Impeccable in Black, Pumpkin, & Aran

My Blanket :)

Last Christmas, I received a gift certificate from my Goddaughter to Joann's.  With the funds, I bought yarn to make myself a lap blanket for my couch.

I used Lion Brand Vanna's Choice (which was on sale--I don't care if it is a gift certificate or not, I always use a coupon or buy yarn on sale :D ) in Chocolate, Dusty Green, Mustard, and Beige.  I really liked the 70's vibe it gives off.

Because I love free patterns, I used a free pattern from Lion Brand called Modern Alchemy Afghan.  I made 2 adjustments to the pattern.  1-because I hate weaving in the ends, I went with 4 rows instead of 2 when changing colors.  2-I wanted a mirror imaged pattern, so half way through the blanket, I went with 8 rows in the middle then changed my colors opposite from the way I did when I started. (clear as mud?  ha ha ha)

I actually finished this blanket months ago and I use it all the time (even in the summer!).  I love it!!!  Thank you, Nicole!!! :)

Chunky Slouchy Beanie

Last week, I found this cute crochet hat pattern on Ravelry by Polkdot Squirrel.  I asked my daughter if she thought my niece would wear it and she said yeah (my daughter doesn't wear crocheted hats :/ ).  So I bought the pattern at Etsy.

Since I liked the look of the hat on Ravelry, I used the same yarn from Michaels called Loops and Threads Charisma in Off-White.

I usually crochet very tightly, so I used a bigger hook than the pattern called for, but it was way too big.  Then I used the size the pattern called for and it was still a bit big, so I went with a smaller hook.  I thought it was pretty cute--a bit big, but cute.  My daughter thinks it is way too big still--I am not sure if I will pull it back a couple of rows or not.  

I was going to give it to my niece for Christmas, but since she is coming over on Thanksgiving, maybe I will see what she thinks about the size.

49ers baby girl blanket

After 6 weeks, I have finally finished the baby blanket my husband asked me to make for his friend's new baby.

The majority of the blanket didn't take too long to make, but the border took me a few tries before I was happy. And just a fun fact, there are 49 rounds to this 49er blanket :)

You may think why a football colored blanket for a baby girl? Well first, I don't think my husband wants to give a girly blanket to his friend (hahaha), but more importantly, the baby's mom is much more into sports than into girly :)

Gift making

I wish I was more organized and would think of gifts in plenty of time to make all my Christmas gifts, but I am not.

This past week, I came across the cutest slouchy pattern via Ravelry.  It was by Julie King at Gleeful Things.  She was generous enough to share her Waffle Cone Slouchy Hat Pattern for FREE!!

I have searched for the perfect slouchy beret type pattern forever and even came up with a pattern last year, but this one is much better.  The only person I knew that might enjoy it was my niece.  I went to Joann's with my 50% coupon and came home with the same yarn the awesome pattern maker used.  This was the first time I used Lion Brand Yarn's Hometown USA...and I love it!!!!!

Here is the hat that only took less than 2 hours to make while waiting for my son at the dentist! :D

One Christmas present down...too many to go.

I am thinking about offering to make anyone a hat for free on my Facebook page.

Craft Faire goodie

In September, I ordered a crochet hook holder from a seller on Etsy.

(picture from seller's etsy)

I waited about 2 weeks and I hadn't received my item.  So I sent a message through Etsy to the seller.  An automated response came back that the seller was severely ill and if I wanted to wait for my item or request a refund.  I replied that I would wait.  I waited about a month and still nothing.  I went to send another message and the Etsy seller no longer had a shop.  Luckily I "only" spent $12.50 on the item.  I really hope the seller didn't die!  But I did let both Etsy and PayPal know of the non-receipt of the item, just in case the seller just "skipped town" with other people's money!  I let the $12.50 go and didn't go any further with PayPal.  I mean if the seller was severely sick and is in the hospital or going through treatments, I totally wish her the best of luck, but if it was just a scam, then that sucks :(

Anywho...I received an email that there was going to be a Craft Faire in San Jose called Jingle Fest 2011.  I love Craft Faires.  Since it was on Sunday aka husband's football day, I decided to check it out.  It was kinda small, but it was cool to look at all the stuff people make.  There was a bunch of jewelry, that I don't wear, but there were a few booths that sold handmade cards and crochet items.  One booth had the cutest little girl one-of-a-kind dresses.  The one dress I absolutely adored was too small for my youngest niece.

I was about to leave (only stayed about 25 minutes--that is how small it was), when I seen a booth, Firebabe Boutique, that had some crochet hook holders!  Well you can use the case to hold hooks or make-up brushes.  And she even had crayon holders.  Anyway, I picked this one up

I am so excited to finally be able to keep my hooks in order by size!

I left thinking about maybe seeing about selling there next year...if I have a big enough inventory :)