Tuesday, January 29, 2013

To-Do Tuesday, 1.29.13


To-Do Today
• Job #1
• Job #2
• Finish Monkey

To-Do This Week
• Start Trash Can
• New Phone?
• Photograph Mom's Wrap
• Mail Mom's Wrap
• Mail Donahue CD
• Start Penguins

To-Do This Month
• Finish Liam's Blanket

Project To-Do's
• Bluebirds in Nest
• Monkey
• Monkey
• Mosquito
• Monkey w/ Diaper & Banana
• Frog
• Pink Sock Monkey
• Daddy & Mommy Owl
• Moose
• 2 Penguins
• Trash Can
• Monkey

A Plea to my Readers:
In the middle of February I will be jumping into a lake. No big thing if you are somewhere warm, but I'm not, I am in Maine. The average temp for that day is a cold cold cold 23º.... and that's just the air temp!

A group of my friends make up the team "Crazy for a Cure" (Crazy is right!) that will be jumping into a hole that they cut through the ice with chainsaws all as part of a fundraising event for the Maine Children's Cancer Program. Cancer sucks, and it sucks even more when you are a child dealing with it!

I urge my readers to help out and donate, every dollar helps! And to make it even sweeter for the children who are seen at this facility for every donation made via this blog I will donate a hand crocheted item to a child that visit this center.

How to donate: Visit this link click on the "Give Now" button on the right side. Feel free to comment on the blog or the page that you are visiting from Katesie's Critters. And THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!

PS I am cold already thinking about jumping in!

Saturday, January 26, 2013

NO FOs this week

Well not completely... I have finished the crocheting on my mom's wrap! I ran out of yarn with 3" to go! Fortunately I knew just where to get the needed yarn and we were heading into town anyway :-)


After our trip into town I was able to finish it up. Now just to block it! This will be my first major blocking, so it will be interesting & fun!


Doesn't it just remind you of raspberry vanilla swirl ice cream?




Wednesday, January 23, 2013

WIP Wednesday, 1.23.13

Well we've made it to Wednesday, and I've made it to the blogisphere, hooray for small victories!
I have three things I've been slowly progressing towards completion.

First and nearest to finality is the wrap I am making for my mom. Her birthday was Monday,and I feel slightly bad for not finishing her gift in time. I say slightly because I made a choice after getting halfway through her wrap. I chose to change the yarn and colors completely. The yarns I WAS using were totally her colors, gold, rust orange and dark brown. However put together in the pattern I was using looked like you were looking at an afghan straight out of "That 70s Show" while tripping on acid. To make my decision to start over a little easier (like I needed to...) The yarns I was using was mystery yarns that were probably hidden in some corner of a warehouse SINCE the 70s. So to the yarn store I went on the Thursday before her birthday and bought Lion Brand Wool-Ease in wheat, light raspberry and a soft pink rose heather & blush heather. These colors together remind me of black raspberry vanilla soft serve twist, much better than an afghan acid trip. To say the least it wasn't finished for her birthday, but I am happy with my choice. (This is actually a project from my Year of Projects List)




The next project is a little monkey. It's one of three I have on order and is a fiberdoodles by k4tt design.



Lastly is a valentines themed tapestry. It's my first step in am idea I am developing that needed some tapestry crochet practice first. The design is actually a cross stitch pattern that I am translating into crochet. I am really liking the results.



I appologize for no photos ATM, remember small victories... I will try to post some as soon as I can get some quality time alone with my camera and computer.

Checking in with Tami's Amis.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

To-Do Tuesday, 1.22.13


Let me appologize for the silence on the blog lately, for the dead of winter it has been a busy time for me. Closed one Sears store then transferred to another location, new people, new schedule, lot to get used to! I am hoping this week I will be better at blogging.

To-Do Today
• Dishes
• Call Mike
• Donation Jar
• Finish Mom's
• Finish Monkey

To-Do This Week
• Finish Mom's Wrap
• Finish Mara's Monkey

To-Do This Month
• Mom's Birthday Present
• Finish Liam's Blanket

Project To-Do's
• Bluebirds in Nest
• Monkey
• Monkey
• Mosquito
• Monkey w/ Diaper & Banana
• Frog
• Pink Sock Monkey
• Daddy & Mommy Owl
• Moose


A Plea to my Readers:
In the middle of February I will be jumping into a lake. No big thing if you are somewhere warm, but I'm not, I am in Maine. The average temp for that day is a cold cold cold 23º.... and that's just the air temp!

A group of my friends make up the team "Crazy for a Cure" (Crazy is right!) that will be jumping into a hole that they cut through the ice with chainsaws all as part of a fundraising event for the Maine Children's Cancer Program. Cancer sucks, and it sucks even more when you are a child dealing with it!

I urge my readers to help out and donate, every dollar helps! And to make it even sweeter for the children who are seen at this facility for every donation made via this blog I will donate a hand crocheted item to a child that visit this center.

How to donate: Visit this link click on the "Give Now" button on the right side. Feel free to comment on the blog or the page that you are visiting from Katesie's Critters. And THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!

PS I am cold already thinking about jumping in!

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Starred Sundays, 1.13.13


I read quite a few crochet blogs and come across things that I want to return to at one time or another, I note them by putting a star on the post in Google Reader. It's a "when I have time" kind of thing, which tends to get lost, so I want to start sharing what I have starred on Sundays with you as a way of keeping the things I liked fresh in my mind. Who knows, maybe you will see something that you want to try or something that inspires you. I have also starred some business related things.

So lets get on to the stars!

• The Crochet Dude ~ 12.14.2011 ~ Easy Wreath

Why I Originally Starred It: Thought it was an easy & cool idea to try for holiday decorations.

From The Post:

My Takeaway: Something that I may end up doing in the future, didn't happen this year, but then again neither did any Christmas decorations -- didn't even put the tree up.

• Underground Crafter ~ 05.13.12 ~ Year of Projects: Crochet Master Class - Painted Crochet Finale

Why I Originally Starred It: I believe it was for the Year of Projects idea.

My Takeaway: I did join the YOP group for the 2012-2013 year and have worked on a few of my projects but have been quite lacking in the posting on here as well as in Ravelry. I still havent gotten my feet totally wet on Ravelry just yet, I just see it as I would rather be crocheting than posting about crocheting.

• Crochet Concupiscence ~ 06.09.12 ~ Crochet Blog Link Love

Why I Originally Starred It: The Crochet Star Pillow & the Hawaiian Flowers Pattern

From the Post: 



My Takeaway: Both interesting patterns/motifs that I would love to try! Also gives me two more household items I could make, table runners & throw pillows! Beautiful work!


That's it for this week, I hope you enjoyed and maybe someday you will see me posting FOs of similar items!

A Plea to my Readers:
In the middle of February I will be jumping into a lake. No big thing if you are somewhere warm, but I'm not, I am in Maine. The average temp for that day is a cold cold cold 23º.... and that's just the air temp!

A group of my friends make up the team "Crazy for a Cure" (Crazy is right!) that will be jumping into a hole that they cut through the ice with chainsaws all as part of a fundraising event for the Maine Children's Cancer Program. Cancer sucks, and it sucks even more when you are a child dealing with it!

I urge my readers to help out and donate, every dollar helps! And to make it even sweeter for the children who are seen at this facility for every donation made via this blog I will donate a hand crocheted item to a child that visit this center.

How to donate: Visit this link click on the "Give Now" button on the right side. Feel free to comment on the blog or the page that you are visiting from Katesie's Critters. And THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!

PS I am cold already thinking about jumping in!


Saturday, January 12, 2013

FO Friday, 1.11.13

I know I know, I am posting this on a Saturday, yesterday was a mess to say the least. Don't hold it against me please. I could have waited to show you FOs until next Friday...

I have two to share with you. This was this WIP I shared on Wednesday:

Did you guess correctly?
Pattern: Amigurumi World
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Light Blue, White
Mystery Yarn in Light Purple
(I apologize for the crappy photo)

I also have this little guy that was finished before my WIP post. Her name is Mallory the "Snow Owl"

Pattern: Fresh Stitches, Lion Brand Snowflake
Yarn: Bernat Super Value in True Grey, Red Heart Super Saver in White & Turqua

That's it for me this week! Check in with others over at Tami's Amis!



A Plea to my Readers:
In the middle of February I will be jumping into a lake. No big thing if you are somewhere warm, but I'm not, I am in Maine. The average temp for that day is a cold cold cold 23º.... and that's just the air temp!

A group of my friends make up the team "Crazy for a Cure" (Crazy is right!) that will be jumping into a hole that they cut through the ice with chainsaws all as part of a fundraising event for the Maine Children's Cancer Program. Cancer sucks, and it sucks even more when you are a child dealing with it!

I urge my readers to help out and donate, every dollar helps! And to make it even sweeter for the children who are seen at this facility for every donation made via this blog I will donate a hand crocheted item to a child that visit this center.

How to donate: Visit this link click on the "Give Now" button on the right side. Feel free to comment on the blog or the page that you are visiting from Katesie's Critters. And THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!

PS I am cold already thinking about jumping in!




Wednesday, January 9, 2013

WIP Wednesday, 1.9.13


A Plea to my Readers:
In the middle of February I will be jumping into a lake. No big thing if you are somewhere warm, but I'm not, I am in Maine. The average temp for that day is a cold cold cold 23º.... and that's just the air temp!

A group of my friends make up the team "Crazy for a Cure" (Crazy is right!) that will be jumping into a hole that they cut through the ice with chainsaws all as part of a fundraising event for the Maine Children's Cancer Program. Cancer sucks, and it sucks even more when you are a child dealing with it!

I urge my readers to help out and donate, every dollar helps! And to make it even sweeter for the children who are seen at this facility for every donation made via this blog I will donate a hand crocheted item to a child that visit this center.

How to donate: Visit this link click on the "Give Now" button on the right side. Feel free to comment on the blog or the page that you are visiting from Katesie's Critters. And THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!

PS I am cold already thinking about jumping in!

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming...

I have two things that I have started this week. One is a gift for my mother so I will have to wait until after she has received it before I can show it on here. Don't want her to know what it is before she gets it now do we?

The other is something a co-worker asked me to make. The store I work in is only open for 5 more days (including today) so I am trying to get things done for co-workers before the end of the week as I probably won't see them after that.


Any guesses to what this little guy will be?

Linking up with Tami's Amis this morning! Happy Wednesday everyone!





Tuesday, January 8, 2013

To-Do Tuesday & A Plea to Readers


A Plea to my Readers:
In the middle of February I will be jumping into a lake. No big thing if you are somewhere warm, but I'm not, I am in Maine. The average temp for that day is a cold cold cold 23º.... and that's just the air temp!

A group of my friends make up the team "Crazy for a Cure" (Crazy is right!) that will be jumping into a hole that they cut through the ice with chainsaws all as part of a fundraising event for the Maine Children's Cancer Program. Cancer sucks, and it sucks even more when you are a child dealing with it!

I urge my readers to help out and donate, every dollar helps! And to make it even sweeter for the children who are seen at this facility for every donation made via this blog I will donate a hand crocheted item to a child that visit this center.

How to donate: Visit this link click on the "Give Now" button on the right side. Feel free to comment on the blog or the page that you are visiting from Katesie's Critters. And THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!

PS I am cold already thinking about jumping in!

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming...

To-Do Today
• Finish Owl
• Photograph Owl
• Drop off Application to Lamey Wellehan

To-Do This Week
• Finish all projects for people at Sears (Elepant, Giraffe, Monkey x2, Owl)

To-Do This Month
• Lee Auto Photo Shoot, 1/11
• Mom's Birthday Present
• Finish Liam's Blanket
• Find a Job

Project To-Do's
• Blue Elephant w/ Purple Scarf
• Giraffe
• Bluebirds in Nest
• Monkey
• Monkey
• Mosquito
• Bunny, Zombie Kitty & Owl (pd)
• Monkey w/ Diaper & Banana
• Frog
• Pink Sock Monkey
• Daddy & Mommy Owl
• Moose
• Pegasus

Monday, January 7, 2013

New Post Series - Starred Sundays (on a Monday I realize...)

So at the end of Friday's post I mentioned to look out for something new on Sunday. I had all plans to post on Sunday however in the middle of my shift at Sears I got a call from the bowling alley to see if I could work to fill in for someone there. So my 8 hour shift turned into a 12 hour one. Needless to say 12 hours on my feet didn't leave me very energetic to type up what could be a lengthy post. Plus when my reminder on my phone went off telling me to post I was asleep on the couch. So here we are, Monday morning, my day off and feeling quite refreshed.

I read quite a few crochet blogs and come across things that I want to return to at one time or another, I note them by putting a star on the post in Google Reader. It's a "when I have time" kind of thing, which tends to get lost, so I want to start sharing what I have starred on Sundays with you as a way of keeping the things I liked fresh in my mind. Who knows, maybe you will see something that you want to try or something that inspires you. I have also starred some business related things.

So lets get on to the stars!

• Crochet Concupiscence • May 7, 2012 • Playground Crochet Artist Toshiko Horiuchi-MacAdam

Why I originally starred it: It is freaking awesome! Totally inspiring! I love the colors that Toshiko uses and the sheer size of her projects! I crochet stuffed animals for children to play with, she crochets playgrounds for children to PLAY ON! This totally amazes me and I hope that one day I can visit one of her playgrounds, or better yet -- make a mini one in my back yard!

From the Post:






I wonder what size hook & thickness/type of yarn she uses. I love all the color! So much fun!
My Takeaway: I want to visit one of hers and maybe even make one of my own!

Crochet Liberation Front • April 2012 • Top 6 Reasons Things Don't Sell

Why I starred it: I was just starting to make and sell my stuffed animals and have always had a bit of an entrepreneurial side, I think I get that from my parents. If I can find out what helps and what doesn't when starting up a business I am going to eat it up!

From the Post
1. Being cheesey and doing the “it slices, it dices, it julianes” bit doesn’t work
2. Inappropriate product for the show.
3. Price Points and Value.
4.  Display, display, display.
5. No marketing materials:
6. NOT accepting credit cards.

My Takeaway:
I have not yet ventured out into the craft fair/market type scene however it is something that I want to do. 

On her first point, I don't think I have anything to worry about -- this just isn't my style, I smile, engage customers by saying hello and talking with them, making them know that I recognize they are there and that they can approach me and ask me questions as they arise. This is just what I do. I learned it from my dad who has been running a successful fine craft retail business since before I was born. It's second nature. It is also what I see lacks in some of my associates at work now but that's besides the point. 

On the second one I don't think I would really take my items to a boat show for sure and would select fairs/markets that have similar items to what I sell -- which means more competition perhaps, but people are there to purchase the sort of items that I offer.
Her third point was talking about overpricing. I actually think that I have the opposite problem and don't price my items high enough. I also give "deals" to people -- call me a softie. I need to realize the value of my products and price them accordingly. This is one reason I would like to start at craft fairs to see what the price points are for similar work.

On display -- sounds like its a pretty fine line between too much and not enough. I have seen some other posts on this matter too. I will definitely look into this more when the time comes.

Marketing materials -- I have a logo (should get a sign made w/ it for my display), business cards & postcards. I have thought about making a coffee table book with images of different things I have made to show people what else can be done other than what is available then & there. Do you think people would even look at it?

After reading this post I went ahead and got the Square so that I can take credit cards on my phone. I do however need a receipt booklet so I can keep track of sales and give my customers a receipt.

Some upcoming events I may look into participating in:

• Crochet Concupiscence • May 22, 2012 • When a Doily is not Just a Doily

Why I starred it: At the time I was trying to figure out what to do for my sister for her birthday. I starred this for some ideas.

From the Post: Some inspiring photos








My Takeaway: Some good ideas for if/when I come into a bunch of doilies! 

I think 3 stars is good for today :-) See you next Sunday!

Saturday, January 5, 2013

As Promised Cell Phone Koozie How-To's

As I had mentioned in yesterday's FO Friday Post I didn't use a pattern for these koozies and went free form. I wrote down what I did so you can try your hand at it too. Each phone is different so each koozie size will be different, so free form may be the best way to go (IMO).

Cell Phone Koozie #1




Chain as tall as the phone is. SC FLO each chain, turn & repeat until the created fabric is long enough to cover both the front & back of the phone. SC around the open edge of the back side to 1/2 way (1/2 of one side of opening, 1/4 of entire length) chain up to make a loop that will grab the button which will be attached to the front. Continue to Sc in next stitch on opening and the rest of the way around the opening. Once at the end of the opening (front & back) fold fabric in half and SC through BOTH edges to create a seam. Do the same (SC through BOTH edges) along the bottom as well. FO. Attach a button at the top edge of the front side.

Cell Phone Koozie #2




Chain as tall as the phone is. SC BLO each chain, turn & repeat until the created fabric is long enough to cover both the front & back of the phone. SC around the open edge of the back side to 1/2 way (1/2 of one side of opening, 1/4 of entire length) chain up 10 - 15 chains then SL ST back down chain to edge, continue SC around to 1/2 way on the front side of the opening, chain up 10 - 15 chains then SL ST back down chain to edge, continue SC around to end of the opening. Once at the end of the opening (front & back) fold fabric in half and SC through BOTH edges to create a seam. Do the same (SC through BOTH edges) along the bottom as well. FO. 

Cell Phone Koozie #3



Chain as long as needed to go front to back around the phone (not bottom to top like the first two). Do complete rows w/ appropriate turns at the end of each one (ch 1 for beginning of sc row, ch 2 for beginning of hdc row, ch 2 for beginning of dc row, ch 3 for beginning of tr row) Use the following pattern for rows: 
Row 1 - sc
Row 2 - hdc
Row 3 - sc
Row 4 - dc
Row 5 - sc
Row 6 - tr
Row 7 - sc
Row 8 - dc
Row 9 - sc
Row 10 - hdc
Row 11 - sc
Row 12 - sc
Repeate from Row 1 until fabric is as tall as the phone is.
Fancy edging on the top of the opening: ch 3, skip next 2 sts, 1 dc into next st. *ch3, 4 dc into sp made by dc just worked, sk next 3 sts, 1 dc into next sc. Repeat from * to end. Fold fabric in half and seam together the sides & the bottom by sc through both edges. FO.

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Did you notice a difference in the pictures? If not take a look at this:
Photo from yesterday's post

Photo from today's post

I used tips from this Blog Post by Stacey @ Fresh Stitches to make the photos cleaner. It's one of my resolutions/goals this year to not post crappy pictures. I thought the photos yesterday were pretty good but then I read Stacey's post and tried it out! What a difference!

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P.S. That last paragraph includes another one of my resolutions/goals for 2013 -- Link More!


Friday, January 4, 2013

FO Friday, 1.4.13

So apparently I have to train my fingers to type & write 2013...

Anywho, lots of FOs to show you this week, so I'd best get started!
So to start I have three cell phone cases I made for our bowling team mates.
Case #1


Case #2
Case #3

Pattern: None, free form made them, will post how either this evening or tomorrow morning
Yarn: Leftover variegated acrylic yarn, most likely Red Heart. (This was some of the first yarn I bought)

Next up was the Penguins. I finished the boy one last week but added the finishing touches and completed the girl this week.




Pattern: from Amigurumi World
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Black & other leftover acrylic yarns (one of my goals for 2013 is keeping better track of my yarns)

Now for another FO, Denny the Giraffe:

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver - Cornmeal & Bernat Supervalue - Rustic Heather

All of the previous FOs today are for people on our bowling league. Just show's how much bringing crochet to bowling gets people interested. The next two are for people at work, another place I bring my crochet for down time. First up is a Bunny (who was the first finished project of 2013):

Pattern: Woolly Jumpers
Yarn: Bernat Super Value - True Grey. Grey & White Tweed style acrylic yarn, possibly Red Heart.

And last but not least, a Zombie Kitty:


Spencer the Zombie Kitty is ready for his cameo on the Walking Dead
Pattern: Japanese Ameniko Pattern translated by Oh the Cuteness!
Yarn: Bernat Supervalue in Grass & Red Heart Super Saver in Tea Leaf.
I did a few things different on this Spencer, used a different color yarn (in the past have used the Tea Leaf as the main color & black for the paws) this time went all green. Also made a "bite mark" on his arm where I chained some and skipped the same number of SC's while going around. This allows for the stuffing to show through. Patched it up with a simple cross stitch in black. Also photographed him on my green screen background so that I could superimpose him into this photo from the Walking Dead. (Which is a super addictive show, even for a super scardie cat like me!)

Starting this week at the end of my posts on Fridays you will see an updated counter, it will show the total # of projects finished so far in 2013. 

As always, checking in with Tami's Amis for FO Friday! 


PS... look for something new this Sunday!