"Now that's a Hook"

If Crocodile Dundee crocheted, he would totally use an S-hook.  That thing is huge!  I didn't even know I needed a hook that big!  I received an email for a Double-Take Helmet free pattern from Leisure Arts. (you have to sign up to see the pattern), but here is a picture from the website

It is cute except it fits like a helmet (think Little House on the Praire bonnet) and not a beanie, so I improvised and I finally made a slouchy beret!!

I am so happy...I have tried a few times to make a slouchy beret, but it just doesn't turn out right.  Here is another failure--before I found my S-hook!

(it totally looks like a toilet seat cover--you know from the old school days when that was cool to have--ha ha ha)

Greetings...

I took a break from crocheting and had every intention to make Mother's Day cards, but instead, I made these:

This is a small 3 x 3 card (no envelop).  Nothing fancy at all, but still cute.  There is some ink on the raised dots, but it was a very light color that you can't even see it.

Supplies:  Paper~Kraft Cardstock (The Paper Company) and Brown (Bazzil Basics), Ribbon~Hemp Cording, Embossing~Swiss Dots used with Sizzix Big Kick Machine, Ink~Caramel Paper Stain (All My Memories-Ranger), Other (heart)~ George & Basic Shapes cartridge (Cricut)

I also made this 4.5 x 6.5 card for any occasion from some old Rusty Pickle paper that I have had for a while.

Supplies: Paper~ Pirate Princess Alvilda & Grace O'Malley (Rusty Pickle) and miscellaneous white cardstock, Embossing~Swiss Dots used with Sizzix Big Kick Machine, Ink~Baby Pink (Close to My Heart), Other~PreScored Card

This 6.5 x 4.5 Thank You card is my favorite of the bunch.  I am totally digging the Kraft Paper.

Paper~Kraft Cardstock (The Paper Company) and Miscellaneous Yellow/Orange Cardstock, Embossing~D'vine Swirl used with Sizzix Big Kick Machine, Stamp~(Thank you) Friendship Blessings (Close to My Heart), Ink~Caramel & Chocolate Paper Stain (All My Memories-Ranger), Other~ Rebecca Sowers tag

Ok, I have been trying really hard not to buy anything scrapbook/card making related including any new yummy papers.  So I got all this stuff from my stash and as I am trying to add all the links to the stuff, I realize most of the stuff I used is really really old.  Rusty Pickle is no longer in business :(  I don't think All My Memories makes ink anymore (unless I am not remember the correct ink off the top of my head :p) (ok, I doubled checked the ink was All My Memories through Ranger Industries--so I am thinking since they are putting out Tim Holtz Distressed Inks, they no longer sell "paper stain")...and this tag...

I have no idea how long I have had it, but I know it has been years and years and years...maybe since I first started in 2003!  I had to "borrow" this picture from someone on eBay selling this one (shhh!).  I was lucky to even find it since I forgot to take a picture before I altered the tag.  As you can tell, I took the flower off, then inked the tag to make it stand out a bit more and to be able to stand the tag vertical (see the lettering?  It made me want to use it horizontally instead).

Maybe there is some hope and I will someday use all my supplies--ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.  Ok, maybe not.

**how do Jennifer McGuire and all the "celebrities" get so great pictures of their cards!  I tried fixing my white balance (although I am using my P&S which still sucks!)...I wish they were truer colors.

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)

Finally a hat that...

doesn't suck--ha ha ha.  I have been trying to make a hat that actually fits.  I have had some troubles in the hat department, but I finally made one this weekend that the family all agreed was pretty cool--YAY!!

I found this pattern in the January/February issue of Crochet Today.  I wasn't too thrilled with the colors, so I changed them around.  I first made it with black & burgundy Red Heart Super Saver yarn.  Since I am still learning about yarn, I didn't realize that this stuff we a lot stiffer than what the patterned called for.  Ultimately, the hat was not only stiff, but it was also too tight on the kids heads--oops.  I really need to learn how to gauge the yarn--something that I have been avoiding to learn to do, but I guess that is why they have it in the patterns.

Here is the aftermath of me frogging that project:

(the yarn looks brown & pink, but it is burgundy & black--I hate the lighting!)

I went back to the store and bought some Red Heart Designer Sport in Cocoa & Ivory which is the type of yarn the pattern called for.  This yarn was much softer.  It did take me 2 tries on this hat, but it finally worked out and the kids thought it was cool and it fit them! 

I may not avoid hat making afterall.

I've been bad...

When I started my new obsession--I mean hobby--I promised myself that I would not go crazy with yarn like I did/do with paper--I love me some yummy paper!  Well, guess what?

I have failed...this is just the yarn that I haven't used and I am only on the 3rd month of my addiction.

I had to change my way of storage as well.  Luckily, my husband got this basket from his work before going into surgery...little did his work know that I would love this basket to keep all my yarn in.

Prior to this storage, I was using two Michael's reusable bags as seen in a prior post.  And from this picture, you can tell my yarn is still overflowing.

Of course I have bought more than pictured above...here is what I have used.  Now I just need to use the rest of the stuff.

Coming soon to my Etsy Shop

I have got to say that my absolute favorite yarn to use is the Lion Brand Yarn Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Yarn.  (oops...when I went to get the link, I accidently looked at some new projects and seen a lot of pretty yarn that I totally want to get now--I gotta stay away--ahhh).

But I also love the feel of baby yarn and the soft colors they come in as well.  And so the reason that my addiction is fed--ha ha ha.

and sometimes I "scraplift"...

I have been meaning to make a card all week for my goddaughter's 17th birthday (which is tomorrow!).  Finally, I whipped this one out today.  I was inspired from this card I found at TwoPeas

Pattern Paper: Cosmo Cricket~Hey Sugar: Honey Honey, Embossing Folder: Sizzix~Swiss Dots, Font: Angelina, Other~Ribbon, white cardstock, pre-made card

Now I need to get it over to her...that may take some more time--ha ha ha.

Paper not yarn...

I have been blogging much about my newest obession.  But one of my original obsessions, involved paper, not yarn.

I made this card on 12/29/09, but I could not share it until I gave it away.  Even though I made it in December, I knew exactly who it was going to on 02/22/10.  To my Auntie Renee:

Papers used: Slab 6 (by ProvoCraft--from 2005!), punch used: pop-up Butterfly Edge Punch (by Martha Stewart ), Cutter (flowers & font): Cricut (Basic Shapes/George)

Someday, I will have to share my piles of paper because I used pattern papers from 2005, but I have been shopping non-stop for papers for 7 years now!

Stitchin' Scarf

I have heard of these "hip" knitting and crocheting books called the "Stitch N Bitch" series.  So when I seen this cover of Crochet Today and that it was from the creator of Stitch N Bitch, I knew I had to buy it

well, truth be told, I feel in love with the vibrant colors of the pictures first.  They totally reeled me in!

The pattern actually calls for Stitch Nation yarn (from the creator Stitch N Bitch, Debbie Stoller), but I used some Lion Brand Yarn Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Cilantro that I had.  I do plan on buying some of the Stitch Nation Yarn though.

Here is my finished project.

Crochet Storage

Since my current obsession is Crocheting and because it will take me too long to take pictures of my scrapbook room--ha ha ha.  I will start with showing my current (and hopeful not growing too fast) crochet storage.

Yarn Storage:

I bought a couple of Michael recycle bags and have made these the homes for my yarn.  It is cool because I can just take one of the bags with some yarn, my tool case, and pattern binder with me in a jiffy.  Currently, one bag contains thicker bulky yarn and the other contains baby type yarns.  Right now, these are my absolute favorite yarns.

Tool Storage:

I have had this bag from Bath and Body Works for years and years.  I was waiting to use it someday.  And I finally found a great use for it.

One side contains the labels from the yarn (so I know how to tell a buyer how to wash and dry the item) and some flowers and hearts I practiced crocheting.  Also, on this side are my markers (you definitely learn all the neat extras you need).

The second side contains barrettes and pins, my niffy Martha Stewart scissors (thank you Auntie!), a couple of plastic needles and my array of crochet needles.

Pattern Binder:

Right now, it is a small ring binder with patterns I have found online.  I love using the View Binders because I can put the pattern that I am currently making in the front and if it is 2 pages, I can put the continuation on the back.

I do need to get some dividers though.  Right now, all my patterns are just in there.  But they are grouped into hats, scarves, coffee cozies, baby hats, and other (flowers, hearts, & snowflakes for now).  It also stores the Lion Brand Yarn catalog and my first Crochet Today magazine.  I am going to try and refrain from going crazy on the magazines--we will see how long that lasts.

Another way I keep organize is by using post-its and a pencil to keep track of where I am at on a pattern.

I really hope that this obsession does not get too out of hand.  I hope that this storage will last me a while and that I won't have to upgrade.  As long as I make new stuff with purchases, I won't have to store too much...again, we will see how long that lasts--ha ha ha.

Cards from Scraps

Today I was working on getting my daughter's scrapbook from her DC trip (that she took last spring) together and I had some scraps left over.  I could not toss them and I really didn't want to store them, so I made these cards

The "Happy Birthday", "Thank you", "Thinking of you", and "Celebrate" were free stickers from Creating Keepsakes at one time or another.  The papers are Basic Grey-Color Me Silly-Grow & Enjoy.  I may or may not put them up for sale.  Otherwise, they will come in handy (like on Friday when I didn't have time to make a card and made the hubby just give the birthday boy the giftcard--ghetto style :p)