Keep Calm & Crochet On...

Good Morning! 

I have been thinking a lot about this blog. I dont have anything specific to blog about. I just like to fill everyone in on my projects and what I have going on. Winter is almost on us here in West Virginia and it really puts a damper on my outside duties. So I decided to start on a few projects, teach myself to crochet by you tube (it worked!) and make something that my family can enjoy and use. I am working on a never ending granny square blanket. I have used 2 ex lg skeins of gray. I have a king size bed so I am slowly working on it. I crochet on it at night when my DH and I are in bed watching tv. I plan to make pillow shams to match too. I am getting there. I am very proud of myself as a granny square is something I struggled with. I have always wanted to crochet. I love it, I always have a couple projects going on at one time.

Here is my granny blanket, its bigger now.

Not sure why I used the pink in the middle as my bedroom is NOT pink. Its the first granny I made that looked good, I didnt want to tear it out so I went ahead and attatched the gray. Its soft and warm and I cant wait to finish it.

My projects I have been working on are dish cloths. I dont know if you have ever used homemade crochet dishcloths but they are my favorite thing to wash with. I am a big fan of 100% cotton yarn. As someone new to crochet I like how it stays together and I can see my stitches. It also dries fast and can be thrown in the washer. They are so pretty but go ahead and use them. Thats what I made them for!

I decided to tie them up with a pretty ribbon and give them to my family members for xmas! I can get a couple dishcloths out of one ball of Peaches & Cream yarn from Walmart for $1.77. Not too bad and definately cheaper than buying them at the store and they work so much better!

Ok, I dont know if you all have seen those crochet bath pouf's. They looked complicated but I pulled up at pattern and started one. I made the first one with success and it was so easy! I think they will work good, dry fast, and they look cute. These are on my list for xmas presents too. One takes me a whole evening. It says its about an hr pattern but it takes me longer. They do take a lot of yarn. I have about 3 inches of finishing to do. I ran out of yarn. Grrr....

Here they are though...

I was laying in bed last night thinking that you really dont know who I am. Here is a pic of me. :-)

Its been awhile since I have updated you about what is going on in my personal life. This is a pretty recent picture of me. I am going on 42, bday in dec. My son Hunter was going to the Navy if you have read my previous blogs. His doctor decided to veto the idea so he is still here in our hometown working. He got a raise, went to a new store, and got his first apt! He moved right out the street from me. I can see his vehicle from my bedroom window. No getting away from mom just yet. I am very proud of him. He is turning into a very responsible young man. 

I spent this last weekend (its been gorgeous for 4 days, snows coming tho) at my moms house celebrating my sisters son Wyatts bday. We always celebrate together.

One more thing I am excited to tell you about. I got in a Tazo Chai Tea Party at my House Party site. Look what came in the box!

I am a tea drinker and I had my fingers and toes crossed hoping I would get into this one and they chose me! I have been loving and drinking tea since I was old enough to heat water. This box came with Vanillia Caramel Latte concentrate, Chocolate tea bags, and regular & decaf Chai. I had a cup last night, a cup of chocolate. Its not sweet, its the aroma of chocolate once you take your cup away. Its a hint of chocolate, I think you will like it. Try it and see! I have yet to use the concentrate. It says use it hot & cold but I havent tried it yet. Ill let ya know. Know what else came in the box? 10 FREE coupons for boxes of Tazo tea. Is that not awesome? 

Anyway, thanks for spending a little time with me this morning. I will have more things to post about soon. I want to start on the christmas ornaments for my charlie brown tree. We can do that next time. If you read this and would like to leave me a comment, feel free. I know that I dont have a lot of followers but I love to write, craft, take pics and update all my family members who dont get to see us on a regular basis. It works for me!

Thanks To YOU!

Until next time.....

New Ideas & New Projects

Good Morning!

I have been crocheting like a mad woman here lately and wanted to ask you what you think of my newest project. I have been scouring Pinterest for crocheted kitchen towels, dish cloths and towel hangers. Since I only taught myself to crochet about 2 weeks ago I think its working out quite nicely. I decided to make the towel hangers first. Here is the pattern that I wanted to make: 

I tried it. You have to crochet around a ponytail holder or a plastic can ring. I decided to try and make my own pattern. I started crocheting and here is what I came up with.

This is the peaches and cream 100% cotton yarn from walmart, it was $1.77. I can get 2 holders and 2 dish cloths from one ball. I decided not to crochet around anything to make the loops to put the towel through. On mine, you just loop over your handle and pull your towel through. Super simple, made with a sl st, sc, & dc only. It took me 15 minutes to make the hanger and about 30 for the dishcloth, not too bad. I figure anyone would love to get a set w/ matching towel for X-mas.

Here is another I made. The top pic is what I tried to mimick. This has the crocheted towel attatched to it.

Not too bad, its useable although I dont know what I was thinking making a white towel with a mechanic boyfriend. (sigh)

Here is my crochet mug coozie. They are all over Pinterest and I decided to try to make one. Turned out great, dont ya think?

One more thing before I go. Here are a set of face scrubbies. I got this idea from Pinterest too. Dont you just love Pinterest? These are reuseable. Very cute and easy!

As I leave you today I want to show you my deal of the century. 

PLANTERS! I got these on clearance at our local DG. I paid....get ready,....a whole $2 bucks!

Makes me want to skip winter and go straight to spring. 

Thanks for hanging out with me this morning. 

Ill be back soon.

Keep crafting & crocheting!

Adventures of a newbie crocheter...

Good Morning Friends. 

I think I am going to show you my new endeavor. First off let me say this is my adventures in crochet. My mom taught me the basics when I was small, but recently I have started re-learning how to do it. I have found out that you can learn anything from YouTube. I started off with easy appliques, then to single crochet & double. If you can do these basic stitches you can make darn near everything. Here are a few of my projects. I have been seeing those crochet coffee mug coozies on Pinterest, and these little face scrubbies. I decided to make a few and put them on my Listia. My auctions ended and at least they sold. I think they turned out really cute what do you think?

Not too bad for the first time, right?

My bff and I took off the other day and went to the yarn store. I decided that acrylic yarn was not working for me so I bought 100% cotton yarn and its working great!

Here is my haul.

I have been working like a mad woman since I got super involved with crochet. It was my goal to have projects for the nasty West Virginia weather we have here. Nights are 35 now, its starting to get chilly. We have even had some snow and its not Halloween yet!

Here is a pic of a celtic knot headband. I dont have the ribbons on the bottom to tie under hair yet but I will. It didnt turn out too bad, it looks cute as heck on.

Here is my attempt at a hanging towel. This one was hard for me but its useable. Idk why I picked white, you know that isnt going to last 2 seconds with a bf that is a mechanic and always has nasty hands. 

Ok, here is my main project that will take forever. My goal is to have it done by the first of the year so I can work on a Star Wars Stromtrooper blanket for my oldest son Hunter (who just got his first place). This is called a never ending granny square. I have always wanted to learn how to make a granny square and to my dismay it took longer than anything else and its the easiest. Thats the way I work. Hardest things first! LoL

I have nothing pink in my bedroom so I am not sure why I chose these colors. I was practicing with pink. The granny looked great and I decided to keep going. I did, and now its getting heavy. I have a cali king bed and this blanket is going to be heavy and huge. I dont know how I am going to wash it. I have intentions on making matching pillow shams to match. Its looking great and I am one proud momma!

Now for the big finish. I decided to make my granmaws and my mom, sister a set of kitchen goodies. I made this hanging towel holder. My design because all the others took way too long and this one is so much easier. I made the matching dishcloth. I figured I could go to DG and find a matching towel. I think anyone would love to have this as a gift for xmas. What do you think?

This is the 100% cotton Sugar and Spice Yarn from Walmart. $1.77 for a ball of it, thats cheap! I bought 15. LoL I think I am going to have a problem with yarn. I tend to want every color to excess. Well, here it is. The final product, I took my time and it looks great, I think.

Ok, its early morn. I have to pick up my hook and yarn. I will update more later. I just wanted to let you see how my adventures in crochet began. Remember, you too can learn from You Tube and you will save tons on Xmas presents. It means more to get a handmade gift. I wish someone would make one for me!

Thanks for reading with me today, and looking at my projects. I will return to talk to everyone later, bye guys!

My Adventures In Arm Knitting

Good Rainy Morning to you. 

I hope this new post finds you well. 

I have a few new (just learned) projects finished that I wanted to show you. 

Yesterday my best friend and I took the bus to Walmart to get yarn. Well, if you crochet you know how long this can take. It takes a minute to find out what kind, what worst, what hook, and what color. Have your project already picked out to make this easier.

I have been searching the Web, Pinterest, and You Tube for something new to try. I dont crochet well, but I have been finger knitting since I was a kid both ways. My last post had to do with the simple one hand finger knitting in tubes. 

This post is all about ARM KNITTING. There are some great videos on You Tube that can really show you how. My favorite and how I learned is by this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=070qaUxEyp4

This should help you get started. I made this same bloggers finger knit boot cuffs. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAYuGWPvQdM

(I will have pics of these soon)

Now on to my arm knitting adventure. Like I said, after I got my yarn and hooks I came home to start making my yarn balls. I bought Hometown Chunky Yarn in a 5 weight. The bigger your yarn the thicker your scarf, the smaller the holes. I got settled in, make my slip knot and started my project.

I have to tell you, this was so quick and easy and it looks so good after its done. I used one strand of chunky 5 weight and one strand of regular 4 weight. I slip my arm through the slip knot and start my X's to start looping my scarf. Here are my pics in order of progress.

1st pic is how it looks once you get started and make a few rows. (excuse my bedroom, and my nightgown, lol)

This is a close up of how the yarn looks looped.

This is how it looks when you cast on to the other side. Look Ma! Both hands! (I know it LOOKS complicated, its not, promise)

My finished project. It took right at an hr. It was so easy!

Close up of it rounded up. It turned out soft, thick and warm. 

This had to be the easiest project to learn and the fastest from start to finish. If you want to learn something different, something to get you through the cold winter, then give this a try. I think you will be successful. There are a few great links on you tube, great ideas on Pinterest. Chose the person who videos how you need to see it. The link I posted she shows you front and reverse. It really helps. 

I have a surprise for my bff. I made her an infinity scarf finger croched last night too. It took right at an hour as well. I will post that link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfSKZtkNedI

This blogger is really great and takes time to show you. I learned from this.

I used a regular weight  (4) skien of yarn, and a skien of chunky (5), this made it less holy. :-)

This is my ending project. It turned out so soft and warm. I was very pleased with it, and if it fits around my bff's head this is going to make her a great surprise today. I will let you know how she likes it. 

Every now and then I will post my projects. I am not real crafty, and I can crochet, not great but this I was succesful at. If you can crochet with a hook this should be a breeze for you.

I will go for now. I have a date with my friend.

Have a great day and see you next time!

                                               

Finger Crochet Projects

Good Morning Friends! I know I havent been updating like I should. Since the fall season has started, the kids have went back to school, my house projects are starting to take on a life of their own. I am trying to update this blog. I am thinking about moving spaces. I am liking another template better but with all the freebies, blogging for books and other accounts that I am connected to, I hate to close this one down and take all that time starting another. What do you think? Do you think this site is all it could be?

Well, let me tell you what has been going on with me. I have been scouring the internet and you tube for tutorials that I can learn easily. Have you ever learned anything from you tube? Well, I learned to finger knit a long time ago. I thought nobody knew how or it was something I made up. Come to find out, there are many patterns that I can use. I will provide a link for you. The first picture is how it turns out on your fingers. The second pic is just so you can see how the yarn threads on your fingers. The third picture is the wreath I am currently working on in a light cocca yarn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeXaiyWPKXc

Here are a few of the idea that I am making. The pillow was my favorite, and I love the ornaments. I have been making scaves since I was a kid but I didnt know that they were scarves. :-)

I dont know about you but I am in love with that simple pillow. Once you get your finger knit chain going you can do almost anything. I just sit around in my free time, f, knit, ball it up and start again. There are many quick and easy projects. Here is what I am working on for Christmas. Look at the ornaments. Arent they cute? They literally take about 5 minutes apiece. 

I want to show you my finger crochet rugs but thats for another day. I have tshirt yard to show you how to make and what it can be used for too. Its just too easy. See, I cant crochet. I have been taught many times and none of it has stuck. I have hooks, yard, patterns, everything I would need but I just cant do it. I CAN finger knit and crochet. I dont know whats so different or easier for me but it is. So for an easy project that you can teach your kids, look up finger knitting or finger crochet on you tube from your fave blogger or site. Its easy, quick and I think its lots of fun!

I am going to do another page on another type of fun! Ill be back here real soon to show you how to turn your fingers and yarn. Try it, and let me know how it turns out!

Next up, I have a book to review. It came from Blogging for Books and its called FIEND by Peter Stenson. I will let you know how it goes.