FO Friday - Almost...

This has been a very busy week but I did manage to finish a project...almost.  I started crocheting some strips of lace a while back to sew onto pillow cases for my daughter.  I recently pulled the project out to finish it.  I got the lace done this week...two 36" strips.  The "almost" part is that I still need to sew them onto the pillow cases.  I'm hoping to get to that later today.

Here are a couple of photos I took with my cell phone...

I was on such a roll with de-stashing, finishing projects, and doing things around the house before my recent trip but I seem to have lost momentum.  I think it's picking back up though.  I had a more productive week.  I got a lot of yard work done....some trimming, took out two trees and cut them up, and filled the huge green waste and trash bins.  And, I did some more preserving of herbs, made a new batch of homemade granola, finished this lace, picked out some patterns and wound some skeins of yarn into balls.  It's not as much as I'd hoped to do but I had a pretty bad sinus headache one day and felt pretty wiped out for the rest of the day when I did all that yard work.

I've also needed to spend more time caring for my dog who's hurt ACL has gotten so bad she can barely get around.  We've ordered a brace that should (fingers crossed) help a lot.  And, I'm still giving meds to my kitty, Penelope, for a severe bladder infection that she had.  Penelope is feeling a lot better.  Yay!  Now, to get Salsa feeling better and bouncing around again like her usual self!  I've been giving both of them lots of extra love and attention.

There's a fiber festival this weekend that I'm planning to go to with my daughter.  That should add a little extra inspiration for getting back on a roll with projects.

Have a wonderful weekend!

FO Friday - Itty Bitty Bunting

I've been so busy that I've had a hard time finding time to blog.

But, I've just got to take a few minutes for my Friday FO post.  Here it is...

I finished another Half Lotus Bunting but this one is itty bitty.  I made it with crochet thread from my stash and a 1.65mm hook.  I expected the panels to turn out smaller than this but they're still a lot smaller than the ones I made with Sugar 'n Cream yarn.  I thought it would look really cute with tassels on the ends.  I love how they turned out!  They're the tiniest tassels I've ever made.  So cute!

I haven't found the perfect place to hang it yet.  So, I hung it on one of my old ladders for a picture.

I think it might look really cute on a Christmas tree.

Whew!  I made it with getting another FO done for this Friday.  Yay!

And, I did a little de-stashing too.

Cotton Candy Shawl

I just finished crocheting a shawl that's pink, fluffy, and light like cotton candy.

It's so delicate and pretty!  Here it is worn bandanna style...

And, a more traditional shawl style...

So light and airy.

I used the South Bay Shawlette pattern that I've used many times.

The mohair in the Crystal Palace Kid Merino yarn transforms it and creates a very different look.

I used a size "G" crochet hook.  Crocheting with this yarn was a challenge whenever I had to rip back.  The yarn tends to lock itself together and pulling stitches out sometimes seems impossible.

I had to rip back a few times because of silly mistakes.  I was worried a couple of times that I wouldn't be able to pull it back to the mistake.  Luckily, I was able to...with lots of patience.

This was a fun project because of the results and that I was able to de-stash two balls of yarn!

However, I won't want to wear it because of the mohair.  It's a little itchy to me.

So, I will need to find a home for this beauty.  If anyone is interested in buying this, let me know.

I won't be charging much for it.  I'd just like to find someone who will enjoy it.  :-)

Pretty Pink Cloud

I've been eager to start a new crochet project.  I've been going through my stash and patterns, trying to find a perfect match that I'm excited about making.  I've tried a few different yarns and patterns but haven't been happy with any of them.  During another sleepless night last night, I got up and searched Ravelry again.  I decided to look through some of the projects of another Raveler who's talent and projects I admire.  It paid off!  She'd made a South Bay Shawlette with a fine and fuzzy yarn and the results were gorgeous.  Turns out I have some beautiful pink mohair just waiting to be used.  I pulled it out this morning and got started.  It was love at first sight!

Check out this pink, fuzzy, angelic, lacy cloud of wonderfulness...

I'm using a "G" size crochet hook and Crystal Palace Kid Merino yarn.

I've made a LOT of shawls with this pattern but with this yarn it has a totally new look.

I'm having so much fun with this!

Claudia Cowl

Remember the yarn I got at the Christmas party exchange with my knit group?

I did finish the cowl I started on New Years.  And, I did get around to blocking it.

Finally found some time to photograph it to show you.

Here it is....ta da....

It's inspired by the Claudia Scarf that I made last Fall.

I chained 105 and crocheted a similar pattern in the round.

When I felt it was about half as long as I'd like (15 rows), I started crocheting with the other end of the skein from my base row, going the opposite direction.  That way, it has points on both ends.

I also weighed it before I started and checked periodically to be sure I'd have an equal amount for the other side.  I tried crocheting a fancy edge but I think it looks better without it.

I washed it and blocked it.  It's so small compared to the shawls I've made so blocking was easy!

The finished size is 10" wide (tube) by about 12 1/2" long.  It's perfect!  I love it!

This Inner Yarn Zen yarn is super soft and I absolutely love the blues in it.

I haven't had a chance to wear it yet.  Weather seems to be a lot more like Summer than Winter.

The weather forecasters are hopeful that a change is coming and that we might even get rain.

I'm doubtful though.  We haven't even had a whole inch of rain yet this season.  We're about 

seven inches short of normal for this time.  We're keeping our fingers crossed!

At the very least, temps are expected to drop and I might be able to wear my new cowl this weekend.

Yarning into the New Year

A lot of people like to go out for New Years Eve.  I used to.  And, I might again someday.

But, I love spending the evening at home, away from all the craziness.

We like to make an extra yummy and fun dinner and just relax.

We usually have the TV on and watch movies and stuff.  This year I had another monster

sinus headache (I've had way too many of those lately because of the extra dry weather).

So, we never turned the TV on.  But, I eventually felt good enough to 

play with some yarn.  Remember this yarn that I got at a gift exchange?...

Turns out that it's even prettier when it's worked up than it was in the skein.

I love it!  I only have about 300+- yards.  So, after researching patterns on Ravelry and 

playing around with some different ideas, I've landed on making a cowl with it.

There should be plenty of yarn for that.

I spent time on it yesterday morning too.  Such a great way to start the new year!

I'm about half way done with it.  I expect to have it finished very soon.

I'll be sure to post pictures of the finished cowl.

How did you spend your New Years Eve?

Finished Scarf and New Yarn

I finished my Claudia Scarf.  And, I finished it just in time.

The evenings have gotten chilly and it came in very handy last night

at our weekly stitch gathering as we sat outside.

I know it will probably look a lot prettier blocked but I love it so much already!

I snapped these pictures with my phone and posted them on Instagram.

I love playing with the different effects.  The actual color of the scarf is more like the one above.

This pattern was super easy.  It's the same row over and over.

It's great for social stitching because it's hard to make a mistake.

I used three skeins/786 yards of JoAnn Sensations Bamboo & Ewe 

yarn in the Beige colorway and a size H crochet hook.

I haven't measured but it's at least six feet long.

I've had this pattern in my Ravelry queue for a few years.

It feels great to have finally made it.  I love it!

I'm on a yarn diet but it doesn't seem to be going very well.

I seem to keep acquiring yarn.  At least it's not a lot and I did just finish a project.

My latest acquisition is this gorgeous brown and turquoise yarn I brought home from 

stitch night.  It was dyed by a very talented member of the group.

She has an Etsy shop...Inner Yarn Zen.  I love that name!

She's constantly taking my breath away with her color combinations.

They're always rich and gorgeous!  This skein will probably become a lacy shawl or scarf.

I LOVE the colors!

I spotted this one in a yarn shop months ago and couldn't get it out of my mind.

I finally went for it.  It's going to become a hat.  It'll go great with some of my 

new hiking clothes.  It's Berroco Vintage Colors. The colorway is 5222. 

Why don't they give them names?  That's so much more fun than a number!

Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That

I've been a little bit absent in the blog world lately.  I've been wanting very much to dive back in and post more often but I've been finding it a little difficult.  Summer was busy but the end of it was packed!  My daughter came home for the summer and we were busy almost constantly.  Then, all of a sudden there was only one week left to pack in everything that we had wanted to do but hadn't yet.  There was a recording session (she's a musician...harpist), sewing, line dancing, people to see and places to go! Whew!  Then, I blinked my eyes and it was time for her to go back to college.

That first week was a little weird.  There was the quick halt to all the busyness.  Then, I think I was feeling a bit blue that she was gone.  And, hubby was home sick for several days.  I just couldn't get into the swing of things.  I think things finally started to click into place yesterday.  Whew!  I hate that sort of lost feeling and not being able to decide what to do or where to start.  But, hopefully, blogging is resuming...starting now!  :-)

In the midst of the busyness and the weirdness I have been busy with yarn.  I've been doing a little bit of this and a little bit of that.  I started to make an adorable purse...HERE'S the pattern page on Ravelry.  I found the perfect yarn in my stash!  I had two skeins of Cotton Supreme Batik in the "Early Autumn" colorway. When I started crocheting with it I fell in love!  It was going to be a gorgeous purse!  And, perfect for the season! Unfortunately, there wasn't enough yarn.  So, I ripped out the second skein and crocheted it into another granny square and I'm thinking of making them into pillows.  It turns out that the colors go perfectly with my house!

I've crocheted a couple more lacy rock covers.  Here's one of the latest...

I started another de-stashing project last Thursday.  It's the Claudia Scarf that I've had in my Ravelry queue for a couple of years.  It's an easy pattern and I like the look of it.  I like the grid-like stripes and the softness of the shells.  It should look extra nice once it's done and blocked.  I have four skeins of Bamboo and Ewe which should be more than enough yarn.  And, I'm using a size H crochet hook.  I started on the second skein last night.  

I've also knitted a little on a pair of socks I started a long time ago.  I'm up to the gusset on the second sock. And...My daughter and I did some sewing together on the last week of her break.  We both made the same skirt in different fabrics.  I just need to hem mine.  

Now, to get rid of this headache so I can figure out what to photograph for the Alphabet Photo Challenge and the letter N.  And, to get back to work on all of these other projects.  Ugh!  I hate headaches!  I'll be so happy when the weather cools and we can turn off the AC and the ceiling fans.  My sinuses will be MUCH happier!

Crochet Hydrangea

The crochet Hydrangea rock is finished!

I'm so happy with how it turned out...

I love this soft, peachy, pink that I used for the flowers.

I sewed them onto the top of the lacy cover before I wrapped it around the rock and finished it.

This way, they stand out rather than laying flat like the previous rocks I've decorated.

The lacy cover is different than any of the rocks I've decorated before.

The back looks like a flower...maybe a Zinnia.

This lacy rock is one of the biggest ones I've done.  It's about 3 3/4" x 3 1/4".

I used a size 6 crochet hook and cotton yarns from my stash.

I'm at it again...

It seems silly but I just can't help myself.  Crocheting pretty, lacy covers for rocks is so much fun!

I started another one yesterday.  This one will have a pretty pink Hydrangea on it...

I'm experimenting with a different technique for the lacy part that surrounds the flower and the rock.

I hope to have it done today.  But, I just couldn't wait to share these pretty little flowers.

Have a beautiful week!

Rockin' Out

The lacy crochet rocks I created in June were just the beginning!

They're so much fun that I just can't stop!

And, I have extra incentive...I had a request from Benita to make one for her.

Here are my newest creations...

Benita's only preference was to have green thread and a tan rock.  I tried to find a tan rock but didn't have any luck.  So, I got started working on a gray rock.  I thought a flower sounded like fun.

And, it seemed like something Benita might like.  I got started while I sat in a Starbucks in Long Beach and waited for my daughter's flight to come in from her Utah trip.  

It was a free-form creation...no pattern.  That meant lots of crocheting, ripping and

re-crocheting until I got it just right.  The flower part was easy.  It was the chains that 

create the netting/lace that surrounds the rock that challenged me on this one.

Eventually, I decided that this flower didn't want to be on that rock.  It just wasn't working.

Then, I found a tan rock!  It was a perfect fit and finally worked. 

I think the contrast of this green on the gray rock was nicer (in real life...not the picture)

than the green on the tan.  But, it creates a subtle, soft look.  It's about 3" x 2 1/4".
Here's the front...

And, here's the back...

I wasn't thrilled with the way that one turned out.  So, I made another one.

I'm pretty sure Benita likes red.  Her car is red and she has a red rose pin that I made.

This is similar to one I made in June.  I love it!  It's about 3 3/4" x 3".

Here's the back...

I was still determined to make one in green so I created another covered rock.

This one is a birch leaf made from a pattern.  However, the leaf doesn't

show up very well now that the lace has been crocheted around it.

I think it has an interesting look though.  It's 2 3/4" x 2".

I like the back...

After that one, I got the idea to make a pink flower with green leaves.

The flower and leaves are from various patterns in a book I bought when I was in Long Beach.

I think it turned out really cute.  I like the three colors.  It's 4 1/4" x 2 1/2".

Here's the back of it...

I'm having so much fun and the more I make, the more ideas I have.

The next one I want to try is to make red rose-like flowers with green leaves and white lace.

I have some wonderful flat, larger rocks that could work really well.  I'm excited!

In case anyone is interested in the book I found...it's "100 Lace Flowers to Crochet"
by Caitlin Sainio.  It has wonderful photos of LOTS of flowers and leaves that have
been crocheted and easy to understand written and charted patterns for each one.
I've only used a couple of the patterns so far.  But, I love it already and have a feeling I'll
use it a lot.  HERE'S a link to the book on Amazon where you can see inside.

Benita...let me know if you like any of these.  If not, I plan to have more soon.  :-)

P.S. What do ya'll think about my blog's new look?  :-D

Diamond Flowers Shawl

My Diamond Flowers shawl is done!

It's crocheted with just over three skeins (about 800 total yards) of Spud & Chloe Fine Sock Yarn.

It's 80% superwash wool and 20% silk.  I would expect it to be soft because of the silk.

However, it really isn't very soft at all.  And, washing it didn't seem to help.  

In fact, it seems a little less soft and even a bit scritchy after washing and blocking.  Hmmm?

I sure love the color though.

I crocheted it with the recommended hook size of "I".

That gave it a light, open, airy look.

This is one of my favorite colors.  Look!...it matches my favorite pair of earrings!

I think I'll find lots of things to wear it with.

Here's one idea...a pair of jeans and a white shirt.

I think it would look cute with short sleeves, a tank top or a dress too.

The finished size of 26" wide by 76" long will give it lots of versatility.

Overall, I like the shawl and the pattern was easy to understand. 

It has a regular pattern and chart for a skinny/scarf size and an enlarged/customize-able/shawl size.

I did the enlarged size with 96 stitches to start.

The only problem I had was making silly mistakes (often) that I didn't notice

until rows later.  The mistakes are hard to spot sometimes because the openness of it.

At one point, I missed a mistake and didn't catch it until I was on the last row.

I had to rip back an entire skein and then some to fix it.  Ugh!

With all the stitching, ripping, and re-stitching, I think I did enough stitching

for at least two shawls.  But, in the end, I only have one.  Oh well.

It was fun and I really like the end result.

Hello, Yarnover Truck!

Last week, I posted about a project I was working on and how I'd run out of yarn wayyyy before it was done.  At that time, I wasn't sure I wanted to spend any more money on it.  And, I wasn't even sure that more yarn would be available.  I'd purchased the yarn over a month ago.

After I thought about it for a while, I decided that I liked the project a lot and that I really didn't want to rip out all my hard work.  So, I sent a message to the Yarnover Truck (where I'd bought the yarn)

to see if they happened to have any left in the same dye lot.  They did!  They said they'd be happy to hold it for me even if I couldn't make it to one of their locations until August or later.  Wow!

They were in San Diego on Sunday.  That's not all that close to me but I love

going down there and it was a great excuse to beat the crazy heat we had at home.  

An hour drive and we were in temps 30 degrees cooler than home!  Wow!

Hello, Yarnover Truck!

I went in and they had my yarn right there waiting for me in a bag.

They even gave me a Yarnover Truck button.  They're so nice and I really enjoyed

chatting with them for a few minutes.  I was excited to congratulate them for

winning the 2013 TNNA Business Innovation Award.  I know a lot of us thought

their idea was genius.  It's awesome that they have been officially recognized for it.

They had their glass trophy sitting on the counter.  :-)

I know that I said it this after my first visit to the Yarnover Truck and I'm going to say it again after my second visit...this is one of my all time favorite yarn shops.  That says a lot because I go into every yarn shop I can find in Southern California and everywhere I travel.  I think that just about every yarn they have is super gorgeous.  They have both knitted and crocheted samples that are stylish and perfect for the season.  And, their little shop is nicely organized, bright, airy and just plain fun!  

If you ever get a chance, go shop the Yarnover Truck!

They had a couple of these signs for sale...cute.

I know that food trucks are super popular now.  I had no idea there were stores on wheels...except 

for the Yarnover truck!  Turns out there's a whole association for them.  This event was put on by

the AMRA (American Mobile Retail Association).  Who knew?!  This event was held behind a very nice wine bar called "Fifty Seven Degrees".  It was near down town San Diego and Little Italy...just above the airport.  There were over half a dozen trucks, a DJ spinning some cool tunes, food and drinks.  The theme was fashion and there were a lot of really cool and cute clothes.

Here are some of the mobile shops...

I like the name of this one and they had lots of cute stuff.  They even had a fitting room on board.

The shop next to the Yarnover Truck had lots of hand made art type clothing and Steampunk styles.

We saw a lot of really cool stuff that was very inspired and impressive.

This is another shot of it.  The "mobile" part of their business was a nice, restored VW bus.

What a fun day!  I'm definitely going to keep my eye out for more events like this.

And, of course, I'll definitely be back again and again to shop at the Yarnover Truck!

I may only need one more skein but I bought two...just in case.

This is officially my most expensive yarn project ever!

But, it's not even done yet and it's filled with fun and happy memories.

I was a very happy girl last night as I wound my new ball of yarn

and started working on my project again.  Yay!

I'd also made a pitcher of sangria last night that was oh so delicious.

It was a very good day!