Well, it looks like I am going to miss another Tackle It Tuesday! So much for my lofty goals to get my house in order each week! Today work was horrible. We were severely understaffed, and I had to work extra hard just to make it through the day and get home. As it is, I got home late and barely have the motivation to make dinner. And to top it all off, I've joined a bunch of ladies at Crochetville in keeping each other accountable to exercise regularly. So...I really have to work out tonight and get myself in the habit of doing so more often. No rest for the weary!

On the crafting front, I am kinda burned out on crochet these days. I have a couple projects in progress, and one I will probably finish tonight...just a bag-holder for all those Wal-mart bags I have lying around. After that, I think I'm going to put the hooks away for a while and let them regain their creative spirit. I am currently more attracted to and inspired by some of the bright and ecclectic fabrics I've been seeing around lately. Since spring has arrived, with summer soon to follow, I'm planning to make some new dresses and skirts to celebrate. Here are a few of the patterns I'm thinking about doing:

I have to wait until at least next week to go shopping because of the budget, but I am definitely planning on doing alot of sewing in the near future! I may just have to change the name of my blog, perhaps even my etsy shop because I'm starting to think of branching out alot more. The Softie Awards have definitely piqued my interest in creating whimsical little things with a variety of textiles. Oh, there is just so much stuff to make out there! Where does one begin?!

Sittin' and Dreamin',

Cocoa

Blub, blub, blub...

It has been far too long since my last post. I don't know what I've been doing, but I sure have been busy! Since finishing the round ripple, I've been doing a few random crochet projects, but they haven't really gotten anywhere. I started designing a shawl, but I didn't like the way it was shaping up so I put it away for a rainy day. Then I made a bunch of granny squares out of the leftover yarn from the round ripple, but I also came to a creative halt on that project. So, instead I decided to take a break from yarn for a while and give my hooks a rest.

And the little fish above is the result! Isn't he a cutie!? I just finished assembling the little guy before posting. I don't know if you can tell, but he's a pincushion! I have been drooling over the felt pincushions on Bella Dia's blog, and I decided that I could make a cute and crafty little pincushion of my own. My previous pincushion was an ugly thing I made out of scrap material and filled with rice, and I needed to replace it anyway. I started out thinking I'd just do something abstract with blue and white dots on the red background, but as I was trying to arrange them, I suddenly realized that they looked an awful lot like fish scales. My preschool-teacher-brain started thinking Rainbowfish, and before I knew what I was doing I was busy cutting out fins, stitching on tiny glass beads and embroidering "fishy-lips!" Voila! My fishy friend was born! He is approximately 2 inches tall (with stuffing) and 3 inches wide (3 if you count his tail/fins). I stuffed him with poly-fill and rice.

So, that's what I've been up to in the crafty part of life! If you have any suggestions for naming this little guy, I'm all ears!

Stitchin' and Swimmin',

Cocoa

First Round Ripple Finished

Well, here it is! My first round ripple is complete. I really love this pattern, and the colors came together beautifully. Originally, I had planned to do six rows of the dark blue on the outside, but the blankie was getting pretty big already. Plus, the dark blue was almost overpowering the other brighter colors. So, instead I decided to make it more of a border using only three rows and fastening off. I still have plenty of yarn for another, though I don't need to make any more baby blankets for boys at this point. But maybe there's enough there for a blanket for me...hmmmm....

Stitchin' and Grinnin',

Cocoa

Bummer

Well, it seems that another Tackle It Tuesday will come and go with my only "tackle" being something other than housework. I was really looking forward to sorting some drawers or cleaning out a closet this evening, but then I remembered the evil "Developmental Profiles" that are due at the end of the week. AAARRRRGGGGHHH! Why is that even preschool teachers have to have homework? You'd think we could just have fun and play all day, wouldn't you? But, alas, that is not true. We actually do get paid to do work--and it's not always fun! So, to my paperwork I go. Tackle It Tuesday, I will see you next week (I hope)!

Moanin' and Groanin',
Cocoa

I'm Lovin' It

Here's a sneak peek at my first round ripple. I still have two colors to go...you can see the first few stitches of one in the last photo. I am in love with these colors right now!

In Case You Were Wondering

Yes, I am still alive. It has been far too long since my last post, though! Life around here has continued to rush past at whirlwind pace. But I think soon things will slow down a bit, at least for a week (Spring Break is coming! Yoohoo!) or two. To add to our busy schedules, DH has been sick all week with who-knows-what that has been making him nauseous and dizzy. It was so bad that he missed some classes and we stayed home from church Wednesday. He went to the doctor Friday, but they weren't positive about what's wrong with him. It could be an inner ear infection, but it's hard to say. They gave him this medication that is usually for motion sickness and is supposed to relieve the nausea and dizziness...but it's actually making him more dizzy! I hope he gets better soon because it's no fun to have a sick husband!

On the crochet front, I haven't done much since finishing the circle jacket. I did try out a few squares from the 200 Crochet Blocks book I got. They are really pretty, but each of them turned out a slightly different size even though I used the exact same hook and yarn for each! I thought that each square in the book was supposed to come out the same size so they could be mixed and matched...oh well, I guess I'll have to watch that once I actually sit down to make an afghan with these patterns!

Yesterday I started a new project...a round ripple for a gal at work who is having a baby boy this summer. It's my first round ripple, and I'm lovin' it! I can see why so many people use this pattern over and over. It's super easy and goes so quickly! I'm using really bright summery colors--bright yellow, green, aqua and blue along with a variegated that includes all those shades. Once I'm finished with this one, I'll be starting something for a gal at church who is having a girl around the same time. I don't know what I'm going to make for her yet...I have lots of time to decide. I just hate to be without some kind of project, so I'm always working ahead!

Well, I guess that's about all for today. I'm hoping to get back into blogging again this week. I might actually have time to do Tackle It Tuesday this week, too! That would be nice!

Stitchin' and Grinnin',
Cocoa

My First Sweater Ever!

The Caron Circle Jacket is finished and it was a success! I can hardly believe that I actually made a garment...let alone something that is more than a simple rectangle! I actually finished it Saturday, but I haven't had time to post until now. I was so proud of it I had to wear it to church Sunday! :o) I'm still thinking about blocking it, though. I think it might help show off some of the stitches better.

Anywho, as to the particulars...I did not do the double button "thingy" per the pattern. I just sewed on a button I happened to have that matches the yarn color. Speaking of the yarn, I use Caron Simply Soft in Autumn Red. I really like the color! I would make one in black, too, but I already have enough black sweaters. I'm so glad I decided to go with the small size. I wasn't sure if it would fit according to the measurements in the pattern...but if I'd made it any larger I'd be swimming in it! Thanks to everyone who did this pattern before me and found all the errors, I really thought was pretty simple! So maybe I am an intermediate crocheter now! Woohoo!

So, now what project can I think up next? Hmmmmm.....

Dreamin',

Cocoa

I Tackled It!

BEWARE! The following pictures are only for the stout of heart! Well, at least those who don't mind a little dust. I have decided to join all those doing "Tackle It Tuesdays" thanks to the successes I've seen on Jeanie's blog and my new resolve to be more disciplined and productive at home. I'm only two days into my new schedule, but I'm liking it already!

So, how about that dust? Boy, it's been so long since I dusted my house that I can't remember when I did it last! So I decided that this would be my first tackle. It was a small task compared to some, but I thought it would be best to start with something I new I could complete tonight to give myself confidence that I can do this. And I did! Actually, taking the before and after pictures was almost as much of a chore as the actual dusting. But it was fun to put them all together and show that I did indeed accomplish what I set out to do! Yay!

Whistlin' and Workin',

Cocoa

Working Hard, Playing Hard

Woohoo! I am over halfway finished with my first sleeve....ever! I can make sleeves! I can't believe it! How exciting! I don't have time to post pics tonight...but soon I will have a finished product to show off. I'm trying to get this finished by Friday night so I can block it on Saturday (it is not shaped quite right yet) and wear it to our church's Valentine's Banquet Saturday night! I think I will wear it with a black tank and black slacks. I can hardly wait to wear my first crocheted sweater!

Speaking of the Valentine's Banquet, I am on the Children's Committee that is hosting the banquet this year to raise money for the kids to go to camp, etc. Therefore, I am supposed to go early and set up and help in any other way I can, but I am having a hard time wanting to do this. I've been really bogged down at work lately, so much so that when I get home I don't want to do anything except sit and vegetate. But I am seeing that this is a horrible waste of time and that it is not helping me feel more energetic. So today I decided to make a schedule for myself to follow each day when I get home from work to help myself become more disciplined and productive at home. I am praying that the Lord will help me stick to this schedule and honor Him more with my time and energy. Hopefully then I will have more joy to serve at church as well.

Anywho....I feel like I am just babbling on for no apparent reason with nothing to say....so I think I'd better stop. My brain must be tired! At least I can crochet with only half a brain! So, it's back to work...or play! :o)

Sittin' and Stitchin',
Cocoa

Caron Circle Jacket

Well, I finally got started on the Caron Circle Jacket! It is going by so quickly! I'm so thankful for everyone who did this pattern already at Crochetville and found all the errors because now that it has been a few months since it's been out Caron has actually corrected most of the pattern errors! And it has been good to be able to read about the pattern and its potential problems before trying to tackle it myself. That has saved a bunch of headaches for me! I've just finished row 13, and I'm so excited to keep working on it! Too bad I have to stop to make dinner! I'll be back to work soon, though! :o)

UPDATE:

I've made quite a bit of progress on this in the last few days! Yippee! It really is a pretty simple pattern once you get past the first few rows! Of course, I have not yet started the sleeves...that will be a new adventure for me. I like the way it is shaping up so far. I just hope the ruffles aren't too much for me! :o) Well, back to the hook....

Stitchin' and Grinnin',

Cocoa

Oh, the Joys of Organization

I have been seeing lots of people making these little fabric cases for their hooks and things, and they looked so neat that I decided to make one myself. I was especially inspired by Erin's hook case, and even though I tried to follow the tutorial she linked to, I ended up really making it up as I went. It was so fun to dust off the sewing machine and use up a bit of my fabric stash...which is much bigger than my yarn stash right now! So, I now have a completely organized place to keep my hooks, tapestry needles, and other little odds and ends I may need. And in the process I found the small pair of scissors my mom gave me a year ago and couldn't find anywhere for months....they were hiding with my sewing machine! Go figure! :o) Anyway, here are the photos. Hope they inspire you as others have inspired me!

Here's the case when it's all rolled up:

Here it is unrolled with the flap down:






And here it is completely open. I used sticky-back velcro instead of sewing the flap down. I didn't want it too permanent. It works great!

Still Stitchin' and Grinnin',

Cocoa

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

Home, sweet home again! DH and I had a wonderful vacation with family, and we enjoyed the cold weather so much! But we are glad to be back in our own house again, in spite of the Texas weather and the fact that we have to get back to work again soon. I don't feel like writing a whole lot tonight, so I will just share some pics instead!

These are the hats I crocheted for my grandma and her husband, as I wrote about in my last couple of posts. Hers is the crimson one with the brim down (to show the stitches better), and his is the aran fleck with brim rolled up.


Here is my beautiful kitty, Bright, who lives at home with my parents. We can't have any pets here, and she doesn't travel well...so she gets to stay with them instead! She is a queen, as you can probably tell, and rules the house, regardless of what the other pets may think!

This is my brother's cat, Whitetip, who is the baby of the family. He loves to cuddle, but he is full of mischief and likes to play rough. His tail never stops moving, even when he's asleep...so Dad nicknamed him "Thumper."
And this is Gunner, the family dog. He used to be quite a hunter, but he's retired now because of arthritis in his back hips and legs. Nowadays he just wants to be close to anyone who will scratch him behind the ears and give him a bite of "people food" every once in a while!

Well, that's all for now...I'm still recovering from our long trip, but I hope to write more in the next few days!

Happy New Year!

Cocoa

Vacation is here at last! Yippee! Hooray! Yahoo! (Can you tell I'm excited?) My hubby and I are traveling back north to visit my parents, grandparents, and any other random family members we may happen to see. I can't wait to be so cold that I actually have to wear a warm sweater, winter coat, scarf, hat and gloves! Some of you may think I'm crazy, but I'm really just a northerner at heart, longing for that familiar old wintery weather. It may not be a white Christmas, but at least it will be cold! :o)

I did finish those hats I was working on (see previous post), but I forgot to take pics of them before I wrapped them--oops! So, I will have to try to remember to do that after the packages get opened. I really enjoyed making these hats...so much so that I am thinking of making more for the rest of my family and myself! They were so easy once I learned the stitches...and they are super thick and warm.

Well, it is late, and we have an early start in the morning. So, in case I don't get to blog much again until after Christmas....

Merry Christmas to you all!

Remember, Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

~Cocoa~

Happy day! I am no longer depressed! Hooray!

Last night I decided to make matching hats for my Gran and her husband for Christmas. So, I went on a mad search for a hat pattern that seemed appropiate for an older adult, that was functional and warm (they live in the cold and windy North) and that had some pretty detail to make it unique. I finally discovered a wonderful pattern by Lisa at Crochet Garden that is just perfect. (It is the "Thick Warm Crocheted Winter Hat.") It is simple and practical in construction, and the cables and ridges give it just the right amount of detail. I was a bit nervous about making the hats at first, since I have only made one hat in my entire life...but I am so glad I decided to jump in and do it! Since I am still technically a relatively inexperienced crocheter, I had never tried front or back post stitches before; and this pattern in chalk full of them! I also had never attempted (or even considered attempting) cables before. But now that I have learned these stitches, I see how truly simple they are! And I am already imagining the possibilities for future projects involving these stitches!

Amazing! I have something to do and something to look forward to doing! That makes my day!

Stitchin' and Grinnin' Once Again,
Cocoa

Oh, by the way, I forgot to write an update on the brown and cream felted purse that I had so much trouble with. I did finally decide to felt it again, and that seemed to help a bit. I also made a closure for it, thanks to input from Lauren at http://littleriverfiberarts.blogspot.com/. Here's what it looks like now: