Challenge #16: Work From a Crochet Chart

This week's challenge for the 52 Week Crochet Challenge is a really good one for me. I had to find a small pattern with a stitch chart and crochet it. Working from a stitch chart is something I've always wanted to learn but have never really tried. I see so many beautiful crocheted items, but when I find there's only a chart and no written pattern, I turn away from them.

I chose a very small, very easy stitch chart to follow. This is motif #36 from Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs by Edie Eckman. It does have a written pattern with it, but I did my best to only use the stitch chart. It wasn't too difficult; I got stuck only a couple of times. I think I'll try to make some more motifs from the book using only the charts. 

Do you prefer written instructions or a stitch chart?

Thanks for reading.

Blessings :-)

Today's Inspiration

Tickled Thursday

It's time for some more Fiber Funnies :-)

Source: http://www.someecards.com/usercards/viewcard/MjAxNC0yODc1ZDhkZTY2MTNmMDIz

Source: http://www.crochetmagazine.com/hook_humor.php

Are you a yarn addict? Take this quiz from The Crochet Crowd.

Have a terrific Thursday.
Thanks for reading.
Blessings :-)

Two Tuesday

Source:hooksandyarns.blogspot.com

Two Things I'm Grateful For:

1. Watching the sunrise every morning. I get up between 5 and 6 every morning to spend time with Tim before work or because Alex needs a bottle. Our house faces east, and I love sitting on the couch and watching the sun come up over the trees. It's a great way to start the day.

2. Easy bake cookies. I love to bake and usually don't mind elaborate recipes. But it's great to have quick ready made mixes from the store or an easy recipe to follow when you want cookies in a hurry. I made a batch of Cheater Peanut Butters on Friday. Three ingredients, four dirty dishes, and half an hour later I had two dozen cookies. 

Two Patterns I Think Are Neat:

1. Bob the Tomato

I love the Veggie Tales. Hope watched them when she was little; sometimes she still enjoys watching them. This site also has patterns for Larry the Cucumber and Junior Asparagus.

2. Owl Trivet 

Another owl for me to crochet one day :-) 

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Thanks for reading.

Blessings :-)

Today's Inspiration

Source: http://www.lovethispic.com/image/87390/there-is-something-positive-in-each-day

 

Monday Musings

Not much going on around here. We had a quiet Father's Day. Hope made Tim a fishing card. Together, we made a card from Alex.

I've had a little hooky time during the last week so I made a couple of stashbusters.

I started this Shell Sleep Sack a while ago and just now finished it. The pattern can be found Suzie's Stuff. It's made with Red Heart Super Saver Cafe Latte and Pink Camo. The medium pink is also Red Heart, but I don't remember the color.

Here's another one, the Bubbles Preemie Cocoon. The pattern can be found at Dly's Hooks and Yarns. The pink is Red Heart Pretty N Pink, the purple is Vanna's Choice but I didn't look at the color, and the white is another mystery. 

And I made Alex's dress for our upcoming church pictures. I was originally going to use this pattern, but I found a modification of it on Suzie's Stuff that made it more of a dress and required less button sewing. It's worked in the round, too, which I prefer. It was a very quick project, and I really enjoyed making it. I used Cascade Ultra Pima cotton in purple and lavender.

I made a headband for her, too, using this pattern on Ravelry. The rose pattern can be found here on Etsy. I used the same two purple cottons. I made one for Hope, too; her dress is blue and green so she wanted a headband that matched. I'm not sure what brands I used; neither skein had a label. The rose on Hope's headband is removable so she can change the look of it.

I had one willing model.

Have a marvelous Monday!
Thanks for reading.
Blessings :-)

Today's Inspiration

Source: http://abby-wynne.com/2014/04/19/calm/

Happy Father's Day!

To my Dad, who is always there for me.

To my father-in-law, Wayne, who never let the fact that he was a quadriplegic lessen his faith or positive attitude. We miss you.

To my heavenly Father, who loves me unconditionally.

To my sweet hubby, Tim, who loves all of his children, our girls here on earth and our two angels in heaven.

Source: www.excellentquotations.com

Tickled Thursday

I don't have a theme this week; these are just pics I found that made me laugh. I have a weird sense of humor sometimes; of course, it could be the sleep deprivation, too.

Source: http://www.dailyhaha.com/_pics/master-has-given-a-hat.htm

Source: http://thewritersreverie.blogspot.com.au/

Thanks for reading.
Blessings :-)

Challenges #14 and #15

Challenge #14 for the 52 Week Crochet Challenge hosted by Red Berry Crochet was to crochet in public and tell about the experience. I crochet in public all the time; it's the best way to pass the time when you're at the doctor's office or anywhere else you have to wait a long time.

When we went to the rodeo in Fort Worth last week, I brought my "purse project" with me.

This bag is always in my purse (well, now it's in the diaper bag). It holds small scraps of yarn, an H hook, a pair of scissors, and a yarn needle. Whenever I have a spare few minutes, I pull it out and make a few yo yos.

I had a few different reactions. My dad thought I was crazy. I got a few weird looks from people sitting in the stands with us. But the best reaction was from Tim. He's seen me crochet yo yos a thousand times and never said anything; this time he actually asked me how it was done and listened as I explained it! He then complimented me on how nice they looked. That really made my day :-)

Challenge #15 was to find a UK crochet pattern to make because the terminology is different. This was another easy challenge for me because I've been "interpreting" UK patterns for quite some time. A lot of the patterns I like from Attic 24 are written in UK crochet terms as are the patterns for these preemie hats I made yesterday and Monday.

 The PomPom hats (top) and the Lisha hats (bottom) are designed by Linda from Linda's Crafty Corner. I make these often enough that I only glance at the pattern when I start, but I do have to remind myself that when it says "tr", that's a US double crochet. She has a note in the pattern that says that, too. For some UK patterns, I will rewrite them in US crochet terms if the pattern is complicated or if I'm working it for the first time.

Speaking of Linda's Crafty Corner, I'm linking these hats for her Summer Stashbuster Link Party.

Thanks for reading.

Blessings :-)

Today's Inspiration

Two Tuesday

Two Things I'm Grateful For:

1. Our girls. Alex is changing daily: getting bigger, holding her head up longer, focusing her eyes better (if you've never had a staring contest with a newborn, I highly recommend it!). I marvel every day at her progress. Hope is an amazing big sister; she is my helper with everything. She continues to do her schoolwork (we school year round) and has adapted well to the schedule changes. Her maturity amazes me.

2. I'm back into my regular clothes. I know it's a little vain, but I was really happy last week when I was able to put on my regular jeans. Now all my maternity clothes are packed into a box waiting for a trip to the thrift store.

Two Patterns I Think Are Neat:

1. Angel Wings Pinafore

I think I'm going to try to make one of these for Alex; we're having pictures taken at church in a couple weeks for the directory. Hope has a new dress, so Alex should have one, too.

2. Angel Heart Granny Square

This was first a little applique, then the designer turned it into a square. It would be nice for a charity project blanket.

Thanks for reading.

Blessings :-)

Today's Inspiration

A Visit From My Dad

My dad came down from Ohio on Sunday and spent the week with us. It's been a very busy week but very enjoyable.

He enjoyed lots of time with his new granddaughter. Between him and Hope, I was practically on vacation from taking care of Alex.

Speaking of Alex, we took her to her first doctor's appointment Wednesday. She gained a pound (7 pounds, 12 ounces now) and grew an inch. All systems look good.

We did a mix of relaxing around the house and shopping (Dad likes to spoil his granddaughters) earlier in the week. Thursday, Dad, Hope, Alex and I went to the Fort Worth Zoo. 

Friday, we were joined by Tim and went back to Fort Worth to the Stockyards. We saw the cattle run, toured the Cowboy Hall of Fame Museum, and went to the rodeo. It was the first time Dad had ever been to a rodeo. I'm not sure who had more fun, him or Hope :-)

Of course, we went to a couple yard sales, too. The one thing we've been wanting to get for Alex was at the first one we visited: a baby swing for only $10! She loves it. 

Dad left this morning, so the four of us are being lazy at home for the weekend. Hope and I are looking forward to the Belmont stakes race this afternoon. Go California Chrome! 

I hope everyone had an enjoyable week.

Thanks for reading.

Blessings :-)

Source: http://fathersdayquotes.net/

Alex One Week Later

Yes, I'm going to be one of those people who constantly show you pictures of the new baby. I've been trying to snap at least a couple of day, but as she's still so little, a lot of them are different variations of the same thing. Just smile and indulge me.

May 24: Day 1

First bottle

May 25: Day 2

Sleeping angel

May 26: Day 3

Sporting her new hat. I know I showed this one already, but it's one of my favorites :-) 

May 27: Day 4

Sacked out in the bassinet. Big sister Hope hated hers, but Alex thinks it's great.

May 28: Day 5

New toys!

May 29: Day 6

With big sister, Hope

May 30: Day 7

Having an evening meal with Dad

 

Thanks for reading.

Blessings :-)

Today's Inspiration

Source: http://www.someecards.com/usercards/viewcard/MjAxMy03ZGU2MDM3Y2NkOTZlMDY3

Challenge #13: New Crochet Tip

This week's challenge for the 52 Week Crochet Challenge hosted by Red Berry Crochet is to find a new crochet tip to try this week.

The one I've decided to try isn't really new; I've heard about it for a long time but never tried it: corralling yarn balls.

I'm working on Hope's Peace Sign blanket as much as I can, and so far I've been able to use scrap yarn. She picks two colors from my stash and I make two complementary squares. While working with two yarns at the same time off of two yarn balls, I get frustrated at least once a square as one or both of the balls roll off in opposite directions.

So I took an old ice cream container that had been washed,

cut two holes in the lid,

and put the yarn balls inside with the ends threaded through the holes.

It works great! Now I can crochet without worrying about the yarn escaping.

Thanks for reading.

Blessings :-)

Today's Inspiration

Source: http://www.daveswordsofwisdom.com/2014/05/think-before-you-speak_20.html

 

Tickled Thursday

With Alex (aka the Bean) finally here, I can indulge one of my neglected addictions: coffee!! And although she's the best baby in the world, she's a normal newborn who wakes up 3-4 times a night. This makes me really happy to see the full coffeepot in the morning and know I can have as much as I want.

Source: http://www.lovethispic.com/image/89635/give-me-coffee

Source: http://www.lovethispic.com/image/31429/after-i-have-my-coffee

Thanks for reading.
Blessings :-)