My boring life...

Okay, it has officially been too long since I posted last. I don't know why, though. I guess I've just been busy with work and church and more work and more church...along with a little housekeeping on the side. Not really anything interesting to write about, but plenty to keep me too busy and too tired to write anyway!

I've been a little too busy to do much on the crocheting front, though I'm hoping that will change soon. I did get my pattern books last week, so I've had fun drooling over those! I'm lovin' the ideas in the 200 Crochet Blocks book....oh the blankets I could create! (My hubby isn't nearly as excited as I am, but I just don't know why! Hee, hee!) I was a little disappointed in the 2007 Pattern-a-Day Calendar, but I guess I just didn't totally understand what it would be. Many of the patterns are already available free online, and I didn't realize that or I certainly wouldn't have spent my money on it. Plus, most of the patterns don't really appeal to me much. Granted there are a few nice ideas that I could whip up as gifts for people, but I just wish I had researched that purchase a little better. Oh well...live and learn.

As I said, I'm hoping to get back to crocheting more soon. I was kinda depressed last week, and I finally admitted to hubby (and myself) that it was because I didn't have any crochet projects to work on. I had finished the seraphina shawl after deciding to leave it short, so then I had nothing to do! Finally on Thursday night he told me to sit down and choose two patterns that I wanted to make, and we'd go buy the yarn together! Isn't he a sweet guy?! Yup! So, now I have something to work on, and I'm a happy camper. One of the things I want to make is Caron's Circle Jacket , but I'm hoping to make some adjustments to the original pattern so it looks a little more like Karen Carter's version because it looks more fitted and flattering. I'm also hoping that I can decipher the pattern, as after reading some of the posts on Crochetville, I've seen that many people found errors and had trouble understanding the pattern. Oh well, I am determined to try it anyway. I decided to do it in Caron Simply Soft as the pattern calls for, but in Autumn Red instead of Soft Sage. I think it will look great over a black top and pants/skirt.

That's all for now. Hope I will have some project pics next time! :o)

Stitchin' and Grinnin',
Cocoa

Lazy Saturday

I'm supposed to be doing something productive today, but I'm afraid I haven't gotten very far yet! I've been spending too much time sitting in front of this computer! But it hasn't been a total waste of time, I guess. I just ordered my first crochet pattern books ever! It took me a long time to decide what to get, but the fact that I only had a $25 gift card helped me narrow it down! So, after much deliberation, I decided to get 2007 Crochet Pattern-A-Day Box Calendar and 200 Crochet Blocks for Blankets, Throws, and Afghans. I really wanted to get some others as well, but I just can't afford alot right now. I'm hoping that in the future I can purchase some books with more "wearables" in them, like the new Doris Chan book or the S'nB Happy Hooker (in spite of it's decidedly risque title!) I also saw an intriguing looking new book only available for pre-order on Amazon: In the Loop: 30 Fun and Sexy Designs for Crochet. It looks like it should have some trendy patterns, and I love the idea of being able to input your own body measurements and get a custom-fit pattern! Plus, the designer lives in Chicago and all the pics were taken there. Since I used to live in Chi-town, I'd get the book to just to reminisce about the city again!

Anywho, I have been doing a bit of crocheting, not just dreaming about patterns. My current project is a Seraphina shawl worked with Red Heart Symphony in Tundra. I found this yarn in a clearance basket at Wal-Mart, and I thought it would make a great sweater. But I still haven't found a pattern I like, so I decided to use a little for a shawl instead. I've seen this shawl all over the internet, and I kinda liked it. I really like it now that I have been making it. My current dilemma is just how long to make it before I stop. The length right now is rather flirty and elegant looking, but it's not super warm for wearing around the house. But it sure looks great over a little black dress! So, I might just have to cut this one short for wearing out and make one a little longer and with a heavier yarn for everyday use. Hmmmmm....


Here's "Seraphina" so far. She is about 22 inches long in the center (top to bottom).

And here is a detailed shot of the stitches. A dark background definitely helps to highlight the texture and lacy look of this shawl.

Well, now I really am going to get to work! No more silliness! (maybe.....)

Sittin' and Dreamin'

Cocoa

Yippee! I get to stay home today! A large portion of Texas has been hit by an ice storm, so no school for me today...I'm not going to complain! :o) I actually have been super excited the last few days, as it's been rainy and cold and actually feels like winter for once! The trees and shrubs around here are just beautiful, covered in ice as if they are frozen in time. I walked outside this morning, and the grass even crunched under my feet as the ice cracked. I love it! It's true that I would normally prefer snow, here in Texas I've decided that I'll take whatever wintery weather we get. It's just great to have to bundle up when I go outside, and it's also great to be able to stay inside and crochet, bake, clean, and play around on the computer. As far as I'm concerned, it's a gorgeous day!

Yippee! The blanket was finished, and my pastor and his wife LOVE it! I think they were just amazed and surprised that I had actually made it myself. Lots of people at church know I crochet, but so few people (young people, especially) make things to give as gifts these days. I just think it is so much more special and heartfelt to give handmade gifts, particularly in this age of "gift card mania." I know any of you reading this probably agree, because you are all crafty people who believe in preserving the traditions and simple things so many others have forgotten! Anyway, enough of my rambling...here are some photos of the blanket (clickable)!

Givin' and Grinnin',

Cocoa

Since the holidays ended I've been busy, busy, busy back at work, home and church... so not much time to blog or even get on the computer! But I had to take a break from my "to do" list and write something on the off chance that maybe somebody out there is actually reading my blog every now and then! I also took a total break from crocheting over Christmas.(I know this is hard for some "addicts" to understand, but it had to be done!) I was a little burned out after all the craft fair projects and Christmas gifts, and I needed some time away from the hook and yarn to replenish my creative juices. Now I am ready to crochet again, and not a moment too soon, either!

You see, my pastor and his wife, who have been trying to have a baby for 5 years, are finally adopting a baby girl! She was born during the holidays, and they are just waiting on the paper work to go through so she can come home with them. Our whole church was obviously very excited at this news, so some of the ladies have planned a shower for them this Sunday. This is great because they really don't have any "baby stuff" at all...but this also meant that I had exactly 6 days to complete a baby blanket! Since I haven't been a crochet-aholic for very long, I don't have any of stand-by patterns or any extra baby blankets just lying around...so I had to come up with something quick and easy! I finally decided to go with LB's Hooded Blanket (the pattern on the "Pound of Love" labels) because it doesn't have any major pieces to join and is just a simply pattern stitch. I am over 2/3 finished with the main blanket, so I should be able to get it all whipped together tonight! (But only if I get off the computer and get back to work!) I just hope that they like it and are able to get alot of use out of it. That's the most important thing to me! Well, back to work....

Stitchin' and Grinnin',
Cocoa