Facebook

Ok, so this post doesn't have anything to do with my arts and crafts. I'm writing because .... my name is [ ] and I am a facebook-aholic. I've been on the site for less than one week and I check it every day, multiple times per day via my personal laptop and my cell phone. I don't dare fool with it while at work, but I'll know I've entered a new level when I do.

I think it's all the crazy random status's that friends post, all the applications and such that allow you to do fun and silly things. It's mindless yet entertaining. Then never mind catching up with folks from all over... family, junior high school, high school, college, work! All that adds up to is.... addiction!

Knitting 101

I took a knitting class this week. I love to crochet, but knitting is a skill I've never truly grasped. I'm not that good at it. The lessons reconfirmed that fact, but I will try and try some more until I at least get the basics. I have to work on how I hold the needles and the yarn.

There are some really cool things you can do with knitting. I hope to learn it well enough to make a scarf and an afghan. We shall see. Stay tuned!

Blanket is complete!

Back in May I told you about a blanket I was working on. I finally finished it this past holiday weekend. I would have finished sooner but my poor right wrist was going through a bit of carpel-tunnel like activity.
I really need to work on my photography skills. In the pattern books they always drape the blankets over chairs or sofas or something... I'll work on it :)

Blessed are the Peacemakers

Here's a cross stitch book mark I started some time ago. I finished it up a week or two ago. I'll be making a few more for a craft fair next year at my sisters church. I was supposed to make them for the fair this year but got caught up studying for the GMAT! Anyway, here it is.

I'm still working on those blankets. I had to stop for a little while due to pain in my wrist. I'm ok to type, but some movements and activities cause pain. I'm hoping it will be all better very soon.

A baby blanket

A friend of mine had a baby girl recently. I know I'm already working on an off-white blanket, but I couldn't resist at least looking at potential baby blanket patterns for my next project. Ok, looking was a TRICK! I decided to at least do a few rows (ok, more than a few) to see if it was something I'll really make.

Anyway...here are the few rows. I think it'll be lovely. It has a nice edging that gives it a girly yet professional feel. The pattern is from a baby blanket booklet with "heirloom" blankets. I don't know if the blanket I make will be an heirloom, but it should be nice enough :) Now, my challenge will be focusing on the white blanket so I can finish it and then move on to the baby blanket. Baby blankets usually work up quickly for some crafty instant gratification :)

Birthday Card

Here's a quick card I made for a friend's birthday using a ready made tag card, some rub-on decals and a bubble sticker.

Blanket In Progress

Here's a quick camera phone shot of the blanket I am currently working on. It's off white. It's a basic double crochet stitch and a double crochet cross stitch. It's coming along nicely. I just need to make more time to work on it so I can get it done and work on something else :)

Posting for Posting Sake

I haven't posted to this blog since March. I figured it was time to at least give you guys something to look forward to from me on a crafty note.

I'm currently working on a blanket. It probably won't photograph well though because it's cream in color, but it will be lovely. Once I'm done with that one, I'll start a few baby blankets which should work up quickly. One of my friends had a baby a few weeks back. Another friend should be giving birth sometime this summer.

I'll also be working on a few cross stitch items that I'll frame when they are completed. There is a lovely Oriental piece that promises to be very rich and beautiful. I've not done something frame worthy yet. Just the bookmarks. I'm going to give bookmarks a break and work on a few larger pieces.

Stay tuned!

A Bookmark for Kerry-Ann

I made a bookmark for my sister last year that she uses in her bible. One of her choir mates saw it and said she liked it very much and would like one also. I was excited for the opportunity to make another bookmark to order :)

Posting to Post

It's been a while since I posted. I've been busy with work...life. I haven't completed a craft since that last blanket (which was very well received by the way). I have a bookmark that I am finishing hopefully this weekend. It's a copy cat of one I've done before that was requested by my sister's friend after she saw it. How cool is that? Anyway, I hope to post more items in the near future!

An Afghan for Brooklyn

I made this afghan in less than one week! It amazed me how quickly it worked up. It's for my friends grand daughter. She's the cutest lil gal. Her birthday is in two weeks.

This afghan is made using 2 threads of yarn at one time and a bigger than normal crochet hook. It has fringe on it, though my picture doesn't show it. I really have to work on my photography skills :/ I draped the afghan over my love seat. It starts out with 2 strands of yellow, then one yellow and one white, then alternating solid stripes.

Progress

I am 90% complete with one of the quickie bookmarks, 50% complete for a specifically requested bookmark and 20% complete with the blanket I'm making. I feel like I've accomplished something. I'll post pictures soon!

I've Begun

my craft fest. I've started on a blanket for my beau. When I tire of stitching, I'll get started on a few of these quickie bookmarks. Perhaps I'll have a few photos to post tomorrow.

A Crafty Goal

Well, that bookmark I made for the pastor's wife gave me an opportunity to craft some more! I've been asked to make up several bookmarks for sale at a church bazaar of sorts. I'm not sure what they will sell for, as surely they could not be priced what they are worth. My mother asked me how long it took me to make it. When I told her roughly 1 week, she was shocked. Cross stitching is done one stitch at a time. When you look at all those stitches, it's easy to see how something like that could take time. It took a weeks time, but not necessarily 40 hours.

Anyway, I have until May to create several items for sale. I'm going to aim for 10 bookmarks. That's a lofty goal given the time commitment, but I have some basic/simple bookmarks I'll do to get inspired. I'll throw in a few more complex ones for fun. There won't be any profit to be made by me, but since I already have all the materials and I love making them, why not do something I enjoy for several months and then share them with the world? I do need to make a few for personal reasons. I'll work that in to my plans so I can complete them all.

Oh if I could craft all day everyday. I'd be a happier woman!