October Stitching & Much More!

What I'd like to know is where October went to. Here we are, right at the end and I don't know how a whole month flew by. But happily at least I got some stitching and crafting accomplished.

I did quite a bit of stitching on Rainbow Row by CW Designs.

I am currently "building" the yellow house and stitching that tree in front of it. Of all my WIPs, this is the one that's most like coloring to me. Like Crayola coloring. Maybe it's because there is so much shading. I love it. I'm stitching this on 32 count white Jobelan with all of the (many) DMC flosses.

Bee...Biscourno! by Crocette a Gogo was up next.

It's the first biscourno I'm attempting. The fabric is some kind of overdyed 36 count evenweave and the threads are all DMC. 

Are you ready for some finishes?

I completed the ornament for my son and daughter in law. It's a tradition for me to stitch an ornament for them each year. This one is called Christmas Bullfinch by Punochka. You can find the chart in the 2019 issue of the JCS Christmas issue.

I stitched this with all of the called-for DMC on Vintage Country Mocha evenweave. I did use two strands of floss for the snowflakes, even though it called for one strand. I really like that Christmas-y plaid I used on the back. The chenille trim is by Victorian Motto.

And a bonus FFO ornament! I'm giving this to Matt & Steph as well.

This is God With Us by A New Creation, and you can find the chart on Etsy. You should go there and see all of her beautifully designed patterns. This one is stitched on 28 count black Jobelan with DMC. And it just fit into this little hoop. I wanted to cover the wooden hoop with ribbon like I saw someone had done and posted a photo on Instagram. Just by accident, I bought elastic ribbon which made wrapping it around the hoop so easy! Happy accident! I also glued a tiny jewel in the center of the star. 

One more finish.

I got it done. It's my crochet project, the Perfect Pockets Shawl by Sonja Hood on Etsy. The fact that I'm a loose crocheter AND that I'm short made this extra long on me. I'm thinking that this will be an "around the house" shawl for me. I do love it though and feel confident that I could make another one and make it so that it's a better fit for me. 

Oh wait! One more FFO!

Berry Heart by UB Designs is finally framed! This one had been sitting in my "Finished Stitching" box for far too long. I didn't want to spend a lot, and was happy to find this whitewashed frame on Amazon for a great price. I have glued a red ribbon on it for a hanger after taking this photo.

I also baked some jalapeno cheddar scones. New territory for me - I've never made scones.

They're very good, and even better re-heated in the oven! Here's a link to the recipe if you're interested: Jalapeno Cheddar Scones. 

Last weekend Mark and I went on a drive. We started at a coffee place in Ball Ground, GA, then went to one of our favorite farm stand places, and ended up having an early dinner in Jasper, GA. We basically made a loop around a section of North Georgia. The fall colors were beautiful.

I have no idea where this bottom photo was taken. I was just snapping pictures as we went. 

Thank you for visiting today! I hope you enjoyed seeing what I've been up to in the past month. Happy stitching!

The Block 8 Conundrum

This blog is a place where I post about all of the crafty type of things that I do. It's heavy on the cross stitch because that's my main hobby, but you'll also see sewing, crochet, beadwork, and whatever else I'm working on.

Today I want to talk about crochet. You see, I've come across a little issue in a project that's currently in my crochet WIP pile. A few years ago, I subscribed to Annie's Block of the Month Stitch Sampler Afghan Club. Each month they sent yarn and an instruction booklet for three crocheted blocks. The initial kit also contained the crochet hooks needed for the project. I chose the beige colorway which is made up of four different shades. The kit even included a board for blocking.

I consider myself a solid intermediate crocheter and this project seemed like a perfect fit for my skill level. So I got started and whipped up blocks 1 through 7 with no problem. In fact, it was a lot of fun watching each one form with its own unique crochet stitch. Let me add right now that there are instruction videos for each block that are very helpful. Until I came to block 8.

Blocks 1-7, and 9, in no particular order

 

Block 8 confused me from the very start. I followed the written instructions. I watched the video. Watched it again. And again. Still my block looked like a confused mess. I asked people who completed this afghan and got some good advice. One person told me to write the instructions in list form (in the instruction booklet they're in paragraph form). Another advised me to skip this one for the time being and go on to block 9. I could go back to it at the end. Someone else said to just crochet this block using the instructions for one I already did successfully in the block 8 color.  

So I went on to block 9 with great success! I will go back to #8 at some point and if it doesn't work, I'll substitute a different one. But I'm asking anyone who is reading this if you've crocheted this afghan, and if you also had trouble with this difficult block. Or is it just me? Please let me know. I will keep you posted.

After I put my crochet away, I decided to do some stitching. 

I've been working on Small Animal Sampler by Bobbie G Designs for quite a while and I'm ready for it to be finished. So I think I'm going to stitch til I finish it. It's being stitched on 28 count black Jobelan with the called-for DMC colors. Only some of the border and all of the backstitching in the border left to do!

Thanks for visiting today and letting me vent about the elusive Block 8. I'll take any advice, even if you haven't crocheted this particular afghan. I plan to be back soon with more stitching goodness. Until then, happy stitching!

Cathy

Inspired By Pinterest In February

Since I started my monthly Pinterest attempt, I've learned so many new techniques and have made many fun projects. A long-ago goal of mine was to learn how to crochet things that were not square or rectangle shaped. I think I've accomplished this!

I like warm scarves even though we haven't had much need for them this winter. Well, yet. There's still time. Crocheting them was something I could do easily because they were basically one long rectangle. So for something new and different, it was time to try an infinity scarf.

I found a tutorial on Pinterest that seemed like a good place to start. The first problem came when I realized that the instructor never said what size crochet hook to use. Not good! I chose what I thought would work (I think it was a "K") and I quickly figured out that this scarf was going to be too short to double over my head in infinity scarf form. I was also unhappy with the way the "join" looked. By this, I mean where a row is completed and a new one is started.

Luckily, crochet is often easy to undo! A search for another tutorial was successful when I found Melanie Ham's Easy Crochet Infinity Scarf video on Youtube. You can find this tutorial HERE. Yay - easy-to-follow instructions and a clear view of how the scarf is made!

I used bulky yarn (another first for me) by Yarn Bee from Hobby Lobby. It's easy to work with and feels soft when worn. Melanie encourages you to make the loop (chained row one) nice and big so that you can double it easily, and even triple it around your neck if you wish. I don't know how many stitches I chained for row one, but the circumference of my completed scarf is about 76".

It's done in single crochet and I used an "N" hook. I'd like to try this same scarf using the "P" hook for a looser stitch and a slightly different look.

I am very happy with this infinity scarf and would definitely make more. It's a fun, quick project and would make a great gift. And you can achieve unique looks by using different yarns and different size crochet hooks. I will be happily be wearing this scarf until spring!

May Pinterest Fun!

I have really been on a crochet kick lately, haven't I?  In an attempt to expand my crochet horizons, I've been pinning small crochet projects to teach myself new stitches and techniques.  The project I chose for my May Pinterest attempt is something I've been wanting to do since the first time I saw it.
I found this pattern on Starting Chain on Facebook.  Starting Chain offers tutorial videos for all kinds of crochet projects and stitches.  So if you're on Facebook, take a look at their page.  I will put a link to the actual project below.

Back to my project. 

Is that not the cutest thing you've seen in a long time?  Look at his adorable face!

I used Sugar N Cream cotton yarn (the same yarn that I used for my cat cup cozy) in an off white color.  This is supposed to be a trivet, so you want to use cotton yarn because it will be able to withstand the heat of whatever you put on it.  Synthetic yarn might melt, so please take note of this. 

The question is:  Would I want to put something on this and cover it up?  Maybe not.  I might just hang this up somewhere.  Either way, he will be my kitchen mascot.

You can find the link to the Chicken Hot Pad project HERE. 

To sum up, I liked the easy-to-follow instructions for this crochet project. The instructor tells you how many stitches you should have at the end of each row.  That really helped me.  I think I had a little miscount right at the end, but it didn't seem to have much of an impact on the cuteness of this finish.  The instructions also are very clear on how to make each type of stitch and I appreciated that reminder. 

See how I'm breaking out of the "I can only crochet things that are square or rectangular" routine?  Now I can crochet things that are chicken-shaped.

Crochet A Cat!

All right, let's get back to crafting, shall we?  In honor of my sweet kitty, Ozzy, my project for last week was this cute Cat Cup Cozy.  Just click on the link and you'll get to the video which contains complete instructions.

It's been my goal for quite a while to learn different crochet techniques and to break out of my "I can only crochet things that are rectangular or square" mode.  Remember?  So seeing as how this project contains something circular, something ear-shaped, and something tail shaped, I thought it would be a good starting point.

It's pretty cute, right?  The instructions say that chaining 37 will fit around a Starbucks cup, so that's exactly what I did.  I have one of those reusable Starbucks cups, but it's in my car.  Could I have gone out to the car to get it so that I could see if 37 chains would fit around my cup?  Well, yes, I could have.  Did I?  No.  I chained my 37 and then followed the instructions using Sugar N Cream cotton yarn in an off-white color. 

When it was completed, I FINALLY retrieved my reusable Starbucks cup and found out that it was waaaaaay too big for my cup (which is a Grande, by the way).  Yeah, I just had to laugh.  You know that saying, "measure twice, cut once"?  In my case with this project, it was more like "nah, you don't have to measure at all!".  And that was not a smart crafter decision. 

It does fit on my giant Tervis tumbler though!  Which makes no sense at all because:  A) Tervis tumblers are insulated already, and B)  It hides the cute design that's already on the cup (which in this case is a bumblebee).  But it does show you how cute the cup cozy is when it's actually on a cup. 

Now, as usual, I can come away with some positives even though the cozy was a bit bigger than what I needed.  I learned some new techniques, used crochet stitches that I haven't used in the past, and it did turn out looking like what it was supposed to.  And it's pretty darn adorable.  I now have the courage to attempt more adventurous projects.  Also, the instructions are very clear in the video, and this is a quick project.  You might be able to complete it in an evening. 

Hmmmm, maybe it will fit a Starbucks Venti cup.

A Crochet Pinterest Project For February

This novice crocheter chose a slightly more ambitious crochet project for the February Pinterest attempt.  That would be, more ambitious for me.  It was all done in double crochet, and was a technique I've never tried.  Not a big deal for the crochet expert, but it was all new territory for me.

You'll remember from a previous post that I received some gorgeous yarn from Stephanie for Christmas.  It's a beautiful, soft, wool in a deep red.  She bought it on a trip to Ireland, so this is some pretty special yarn to me.

There is a series of crochet videos on YouTube from Fiber Flux that are so easy to follow, even I can understand what's going on.  I always thought I had trouble learning different crochet stitches, but maybe it was because I was attempting to learn them from printed material.  So thank goodness for modern technology because good clear videos make crochet a breeze to learn!

I selected the Fiona Button Scarf because after viewing the video, I knew I could do it.  It's also more of a cowl and they give instructions for two different lengths.  Plus, it's just really pretty.  The instructions call for thicker yarn, but I wanted to use my Ireland yarn.  And it worked out well.

First I had to wind that yarn into a ball.

Surprise!  Not a pull skein!  I'm positive that there was a nice, neat, organized way to do this, but I chose the road less traveled.  Yeah, it was a mess, but I owned that mess and before long it was a legit yarn ball.

And the result:

Looks a little different from the video because I used a thinner yarn.  But I like it.

And finally, me in the scarf.

I pronounce my February Pinterest project a huge success!  I love the way this turned out.  It was easy and quick to make, and it inspired me to try out some different crochet stitches.  I've already pinned more projects to do.  And there's a lot more cold winter weather ahead that will make me glad that I have this soft, cozy cowl.  Do you want to try some new crochet projects?  Then just go to YouTube, and search for "Fiber Flux".  You won't now which one to choose first!

Now I'm on to stitching.  It looks like I have a free afternoon so I can make some progress on my "secret cross stitch project". 

Bitten By The Beading Bug

I don't know when it started.  Maybe it was when I did my epic cleaning and organizing of the bead cabinet.  Or when I bought a bead magazine recently and discovered beads I had never heard of.  But I've been bitten by the beading bug.  The cross stitch hasn't exactly been put away.  It's more like I've been dividing my time between stitching and beading.  Or looking at beads and bead creations online.  I even took a little trip to my local bead store.  It's not that far away.  Why don't I visit it more often?

So during my online searching I found the pattern for the "Tila Temptation Bracelet".  The weave of this bracelet just appealed to me - simple yet pretty. 

I'll probably make more of this pattern because I like it so much.  It requires only three types of beads, some Fireline and a clasp.  I'd call this an intermediate/beginner project.  It can be completed in an evening.  If you feel inspired to make one, you can find the tutorial for this bracelet here.  Even though we haven't had a hint of autumn here in Georgia, I'm starting to think "fall" when choosing colors.  Look for more of my beaded projects in the coming months.

Now let's move on to a little segment I like to call "Other People's Creations".  If you've been reading my blog for a while, then you've seen this feature before.  I like to show you what other people create because I am not the only crafty person I know. 

First, here is my sister Sheila's Peyote Stitch project. 

Look how pretty that is.  Sheila has a knack for choosing good color combinations and it really shows in this bracelet.  I may have to make one of these.

And for a dose of crochet cuteness, here is our friend Sherry's recent creation.

How adorable is this?  Makes you want to go out and crochet some owls, doesn't it?  Of course, I'd have to learn how first because if you recall, my crochet skills are limited to rectangles and squares.  And maybe an occasional heart.  My plan is to increase my crochet knowledge in the near future.

We'll just have to put the cross stitch on the back burner for a while.  Both of the projects I'm working on are gifts, so no showing them off yet.  Thanks for stopping by!  Keep leaving the comments.  I appreciate each one!

Almost Missed The Party

Last year I participated in the Grow Your Blog party hosted by Vicki at 2 Bags Full, and had fun viewing new-to-me blogs and adding followers to my own blog.  I fully intended to join the party again, but found out that I missed the sign-up by a few days.  Woe is me.  I usually follow the rules, but this time I missed the boat and decided to ask in a nice way if I could still join.  Vicki sent me a message back saying that she would indeed include me and to go ahead and sign up.  Yay!  So on January 25th, I'll be participating with about 500 other bloggers in this event.  I'll also be including a prize drawing as part of Grow Your Blog, so watch for my post for details.

I was on the hunt for some deep blue fabric to stitch a special little gift, but was having trouble finding the right shade.  Finally I hit the jackpot by contacting Leslie at Under the Sea Fabrics.  I had the winning bid on one of her fabrics during her auction, and added a beautiful deep blue fabric to my order.

Harvest Moon & Witching Hour

Yeah, that made my day.  And now for the bonus:  I get to start something new!

On Facebook, I'm a member of a little cross stitch group of friendly stitchers.  We are doing a Valentine exchange with stitched cards.  This is a totally new craft for me!  I did finish mine, but will wait to post the result here until it is received.  I did crochet a little add-on last week. 

Awwww, cute, right?  And yes, I finally got some red yarn.  I had originally learned how to crochet this little heart with gold yarn because that was all I had available.  You can find the instructions to make this little cutie at Maybe Matilda's blog.  Just click on the "crochet" button and that will take you to all of her crochet projects including these Valentine hearts.  They're amazingly easy, even for me. 

What do you think of my blog's new look?  I'd had the old one for quite a while and decided to spruce up the blog a little in anticipation of the Grow Your Blog party.  Happy colors for this time of year, when it's most needed!

Heart Of Gold

Last week was Valentine's Day, and there were so many lovely Valentine related items in blogs and on Pinterest.  I realized that I don't have anything stitched for this holiday!  So a new goal for me:  to create a stitched piece to display for next February 14th.  OK, I have a year so this is completely doable.

One pretty little thing I saw on a blog were these tiny crocheted hearts.  The link for the how-to was provided, so I took a look.  Then began the search for some yarn.  Here's what I came up with:  old gold or gray.  No Valentine red or candy-heart pink, or even white.  Well, this is just practice right?  So old gold it was.  And here is what I accomplished!

This is a big deal to me because, if you'll remember, my crocheting skills were limited to square or rectangle things.  Look at me, I'm branching out!  I have skills! 

So, fellow crafters, be sure to take a look at the blog, Maybe Matilda, for an abundance of crocheting, sewing, decorating ideas, and more.  I'm having fun perusing all of the beautiful photos and crafting ideas she has there.  I think you will too.

A Crafty Gift For A Crafter

It doesn't matter what kinds of crafts we do, we crafters like to receive hand crafted gifts too.  Last Saturday at stitch day at The Stitch Store, one of our Chinese exchange gifts was a handmade tea cozy and bun warmer set.  It was beautifully made and the gift that got the most oohs and aahs.  I wish I had my camera with me.  Next time.  And I will add that ALL of the gifts were lovely and greatly appreciated!

Today Sheila and I went to J. Christopher's and enjoyed catching up over breakfast and yummy cappuccinos.  We hadn't gotten together in a while, and I knew that she was crocheting a scarf for me.  So today was the day I got my present!  It's beautiful and the colors are perfect!  I just love when someone crafts something for me.  Is it because I know the work that goes into it?  Maybe.  But it's especially nice to know that someone was making something with me in mind.  This pretty scarf kind of makes me want some cold weather so I can wear it!

We had a couple of hours to work on our fabric wreaths.  So far we love the result!  Just look!  We're both very happy with the fabric selection that we chose.  At the time, we weren't sure about what fabrics to select because we basically didn't know what we were doing, but I think we were successful.  The secret is to use a fatter screwdriver.  Looks pretty good so far, right?  I'm positive that it will look even better when it's finished and fluffed out.  Of course, I'll post a picture!  You know I will. 

I mentioned our stitch day on Saturday.  As usual, it was a good group -- lots of different personalities who seem to get along extremely well.  I'm quickly getting into the Christmas spirit and decided to start a second Christmasy project.  I started "Joy" by Little House Needleworks at our stitch day and got a lot done!  It's turning out a lot larger than your average ornament, so I'll probably finish it as a door hanger.  Maybe.  The other Christmas stitching project I'm working on is "Holiest of Nights" by Homespun Elegance.  Will I get them done by Christmas?  Possibly next Christmas, and that's fine with me.  It's just nice to work on something like these during the Christmas season.

It's always good to have a helper when you're doing a project, whether it be a craft project or just writing your blog.  Here's my latest "helper".  It's Ozzy, and he's being very productive sitting in our printer stand between Purdue Pete and Georgia Tech's Buzz.  Nice to know I have an assistant.

Hey, I'm up to 45 followers!!  It makes me happy to know that people are actually reading my blog.  I hope that you're all at least a little bit informed and entertained.  I also appreciate and enjoy the comments I'm getting too.  So thank you!

My goals for the upcoming week are:  Finishing the Christmas bellpull and starting a project which is going to be a gift so it's all hush-hush right now!