Mitts for Christmas!

I hope your Thanksgiving was a good one.

Ours was so good, filled with food, fun and family.

Now is the time to get on my crochet for Christmas.

I have made 2 pair of fingerless mitts.

One pair in white for my girlfriend...

They turned out so cute!

Very simple, and quick!

Same pattern only it does not show the stitches in black.

Another pair down!

These are for my niece. Not finished yet but soon!

Sissys infinity scarf with an ear warmer to match.

2 colors put together!

Thats it for me so far. I am sorry this post isnt longer but the chemo has made me very ill this time. Its all I had to put this up.

Thanks for looking!

Cya later!

~Crystal

HAPPY WIP'S & THANKSGIVING

From our house to yours, much blessings!

I am trying to really stay up to date on the blog but I had a Dr. appointment every day last week!

I have much to be thankful for though so I am not going to complain. 

Before I start with the all important crochet I want to count a few of my blessings this year.

1. I am thankful to have God in my life.
2. I am thankful that I have a loving family.
3. I am thankful for my partner.
4. I am thankful for my children.
5. I am thankful for my health (no matter how the cancer affects me).
6. I am thankful for my friends.
7. I am thankful we are comfortable.
8. I am thankful my grandfather's cancer is in remission.
9. I am thankful for this past year, I can only hope next year is a little better.
10. I am thankful for this blog and YOU, my special friends and followers.

Of course that isn't everything but I think its a great top 10. I could go on and on but let's get to the crochet!

I have a few things I want to share with you. First off, if you find mistakes blame it on the fingernails! I have found it is almost impossible to type with nails!

All of these projects I am going to share with you are WIP's. My attention span isn't all that good and I always have a couple things going on at one time. I get bored with working on one thing all the time. Although, I think I probably should because it takes awhile to complete them all.

This morning I woke up to 38 degrees and streaming sunlight, this was at 7 a.m.

Know what popped into my head?

SNOWFLAKE GARLAND'S!

Why? Why bring on the stress and misery of winter in West Virginia? Because I love Christmas decorations and I especially love to decorate my tall, skinny, primitive tree.

So I got up and got out my yarn and hook and immediately started searching Pinterest for a pattern. I always end up at Attic 24 or Cherry Heart.

I found a perfect, easy snowflake at Attic 24 and I just decided to go with it and make a garland.

Yes, they could benefit from some blocking but they are so easy and cute!

Only 3 rounds makes it easy to go on to the next one. I decided to make 2 round, 3 round snowflakes and join them together as I go.

They are not perfect but neither am I. 

I try to remember that as I crochet because I always want everything to look perfect.

I finally got a long crochet hook so I can try Tunisian Crochet. I am very interested in the look of it. I got a little started as you can see here. Its easy so far but it's rolling up. I know I watched a tutorial on why and how not to let it roll but I can't remember the specifics so I need to look it up. 

I just couldn't help but try it immediately although I know I need to really study it.

I love to learn new stitches and new ways to crochet.

I have been thinking about winter. I got a new black coat that begs for some light so I decided to make the DARK COMFORT SHAWL from OOMBAWKA with a black yarn with a silver streak running through it.

It's the perfect yarn for this coat.

Here is a little progress....it's a basic granny pattern with a slightly scalloped edge.

Darn it! It so blurry :-(

Isn't it pretty? I think it's going to look so nice. I bought black gloves with what looks like silver leaf on top of the hands. I cant wait to finish it.

I haven't been working on it continuous because I have been only working on it as I travel back and forth to chemo, and while I sit in the chair. 

It is at it's halfway mark.

Please excuse the bed picture. It was really early this morning when I took the shot. You can tell the sun is streaming in. 

Here is the yarn I used, it came from Hobby Lobby. I can't say I was impressed with their yarn prices. I had never been there and they had lots of nice yarn but I paid more than I wanted for 3 skeins, 252 yards of I Love This Yarn, in Black Metallic.

I can say this yarn is soft and it needs to be since it has the metallic thread running through it and it will be against my neck.

All in all I am happy with the way this WIP is turning out. I can't wait to wear it!

Here is something else I am working at. It's a simple hat pattern, made in rows instead of rounds.

Here is the link to the pattern for you.

EASY RIBBED POM-POM BEANIE AT ALL ABOUT AMI

EVERY time I make a hat in the round it comes out looking a little like the hats that the rice paddy workers wear. I know why, it happens every time, I am not much of a counter. (red face)

I am using a yarn that I am having trouble with. It is Lion Brand Homespun. I love this yarn, the colors are gorgeous, and it is so soft but it's what I call a curly yarn. I can not see my stitches because of the bulky yarn. 

I am trying hard to make it look good, this pattern is made in back loops so they are almost impossible to keep straight.

A more experienced crocheter could probably whiz right through it but it has hindered my progress.

Isn't the color gorgeous? I just love it. My mom bought me this yarn when I first got diagnosed and I was in the hospital. I couldn't use it then, but I plan on finishing this hat for my partner, John. He needs a nice warm toboggan for the WV winter. He spends his days outside so I know he gets cold. He will be surprised with this, it matches the new coat he just bought. He does not know this. :-)

So that's my update this time.   

If I do not get back to the blog before Thanksgiving please forgive me. Either I will be eating with my family or I will be sick and home in bed because I have chemo the day before.

Much blessing to you and your family! 

(If you are reading from somewhere that does not celebrate our American holiday, much blessings to you and your family as well!)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

~Crystal

Em's Crochet Christmas

I wanted to show you the gift I am making for my 8 year old niece.

She asked for an infinity scarf. She loves pink and purple, with some Red Heart Boutique as the 2nd strand of yarn.

Here is the finished product.

Eventually (soon) it will have fingerless mitts and an ear warmer to go with the set.

It wraps around one time and its so cute. I think she is going to love it.

This is the colors and its so pretty. Its made with regular 8-ply yarn and a fingerling yarn as the 2nd strand. The rest of the set is going to match this pattern. 

Its a simple pattern, just single crochet.

I hope she loves it, and I will update as soon as I get the rest finished.

Thanks for sharing this with me.

I will talk to you again soon.

~Crystal

I need help finding this afghan pattern!

My girlfriend gave me a bag full of crochet pieces that had one row put together. I can not for the life of me find the pattern to put it together. 

This is how it looks...

It hexys with a pretty flower in the middle surrounded by white hexys but for the life of me I cant figure out how they go together.

Here are a few more pics to maybe help someone help me!

You can see how some of them are put together but when I do it, it just doesn't seem to fit.

I have a whole bag of pre-made flowers and they white hexys.

So If anyone knows this pattern and can send me some kind of info or a link it would be greatly appreciated. I am so tired of looking at a huge bag full of crochet that I cant fix!

Thanks ahead of time if anyone can help!

~Crystal

Review:Harvest Snap Pea Crisps from Moms Meet

Brrr.....It's cold in West Virginia this morning. 

I think Maxine has the right idea, I wish it counted!

I have a great snack to share with you this morning. They are called HARVEST SNAPS and they came from the MOMS MEET website.

What’s snappenin’? We’ll tell you: There’s about to be a shift in your snack routine! Thanks for Harvest Snaps, you can serve your kids a snack that’s delicious and nutritious. A handful of any Harvest Snaps snacks supplies your family with high protein and dietary fiber. Plus, with six scrumptious flavors to choose from, we guarantee your whole house will be craving veggies. So grab a bag of Harvest Snaps Snap pea Crisps or Lentil Bean, and start snackin’! - See more at: 

HARVEST SNAPS

Here are some pictures of the samples that came in this HUGE box.

Black Pepper Green Pea Crisps

Caesar Green Pea Crisps

Lightly Salted Green Pea Crisps

Wasabi Ranch Green Pea Crisps

Lentil Bean Crisps in Tomato Basil

Individual Lightly Salted Green Pea Crisps

One day last week as I  was standing outside by the mail box the mail lady dropped of this HUGE box of Snap Peas. There was 2 big bags of each kind, and about 40 sample bags for my guests so everyone can get bags of individual lightly salted snap peas.

Let me tell you, these are good!

My mom and I were at Walmart a week before the box came and we were looking at them and my mom bought a bag. If I would have known I was getting this huge box I would have had her wait, so instead I gave her all the kinds that she didnt buy. My dad and the grand kids loved them.

Here is what Moms Meet says about my sampling pack...

Sample package contents

• Your sample package will contain the following:
  • 40 sample size bags (Lightly Salted) for your group members. Each group member should receive 2 bags.
  • 40 coupons for your group members. Each group member should receive 2 coupons.
  • 2 sets of 5 regular size bags (Lightly Salted, Caesar, Black Pepper, Wasabi Ranch, and Tomato
  Basil). One set is for you to share with your group members and the other set is a gift for yoU.

HARVEST SNAP PEA CRISPS

So I get to throw a Moms Meet party for all my friends and family.

If you havent signed up for moms meet I recommend that you do. They have all kinds of sampling programs. Some are for moms and some are for mom ambassadors who have blogs.

Go ahead and check it out, I LOVE moms meet! I get samples from them all the time. They have rewards and quests that get you points that you can spend for rewards.

I think your family is going to love these crispy peas. They are almost like they are freeze dried. The Caesar is my favorite and the kids love the lightly salted.

They sell them at Walmart so go pick up a bag and see what you think. I bet you will love them as much as my family does.

Moms Meet has all kinds of sampling programs, almost too many to chose from!

Go check Moms Meet out if you like sampling programs with no surverys, just quests that give you points for rewards.

Thanks for reading my review.

This is going to be a great party!

~Crystal

Presents and WIP'S!

I have started to notice our nights getting chillier and the winds getting stronger. I have sadly put the summer clothes away. 

What I want to show you today is a Christmas gift set. I decided not to make a hat and use an ear warmer instead. I still think the whole set could use a set of boot cuffs when I find a pair that match the stitch I used.

Here is the link I used for the mitts...

Cherry Heart Stripey Mitts

Here is the link I used for the ear warmer...

The Friendly Red Fox

Here is the Christmas gift I made for my sister. I am super proud of them. The gloves got tore out a few time, the buttons ended up on the wrong side of the glove and had to be taken off. Pretty much if I have to make 2 of something one never is the same. This happens to me all the time. I guess its because I am fairly new to crocheting.

Here are the mitts I made out of RH Boutique.

This was my first attempt at the glove and it turned out great. I just happen to have the matching buttons because this is my fave color of yarn.

They are just sc and dc. With a few button loops and picots thrown in. I am a novice and I had no trouble.

This is the ear warmer. Sorry the pic isnt clearer, it was laying on a piece of red tissue paper. It turned out great. FPDC and BPDC gave this real texture and I added my buttons just like hers. Its only an 6-8 round pattern, an evening show is all it takes.

Here are the matching mitts. I loved this pattern. So simple. The buttons just make the look and the picots make the hands look feminine.

All 3 finally done!

I am very proud of this set and that I got another Christmas present out of the way.

I really do think a pair of boot cuffs will even out the set.

I would love to make a set for myself. I have been concentrating on my bald head but I cant make hats so I was hoping a few readers had a few lurking around to donate. The chemo center gets cold 8 hrs at a time and our WV weather is HELL for months. This head is gonna be cold and I have no clue how to make a hat, oh, I have tried but failed miserably.

One more quick project to show you. Its a WIP.

This pattern and picture is from Jocelyn Sass' site. You can find this cute garland snowman at SNOWMAN GARLAND~DOOR HANGER

That is whats its supposed to look like but she has a piece of plastic canvas between her 2 parts of snowman and a am not going that far. I have one pannel and a nose. :-)

Here's mine...

So far, I am loving it. I can see the little arms sticks.

Well thats whats on my hook? 

Ill be back next time with a few more finished projects.

Oh yeah, one more thing...

My first attempt at an angel for my little tree. So simple and sweet.

I found a great site where there are a few really cute things...

The Steady Hand ~10 Angel Crochet patterns

Have a great Halloween and come back and visit again. I love to share.

~CRYSTAL

Did your granny have one when you were little? QUICK & EASY!

Good morning my internet friends. I hate to admit it but I can hardly keep my eyes open. I think after I get this post done its back to bed for me.

Where did fall go?

I was searching the web yesterday and seen this Christmas Pattern. I reminds me of Christmas at my Gran's house. She had one made, it was a little worse for wear. She filled it up with candy canes.

Here is the link to the Chistmas Bootie...

CHRISTMAS BOOTIE FROM 24 FOOT STREET 

CROCHET.

As soon as I seen it I knew it had to be made in the hopes of my children keeping it and passing it on.

Here are a few pictures of mine in progress...

13 one round white granny squares...

13 granny's with the red attached and you can see the green 3rd round to finish them out. They took a morning.

Here is the little bootie I made out of my 13 granny squares. The pattern page has a great diagram if you need that to put it together.

This pattern calls for a can inserted inside so it can stand up to maintain it's shape. Here I used a small hot chocolate can that fit perfect. This will hold the candy canes I am going put in it well.

If you would prefer to make a smaller bootie you can use a smaller cream of mushroom can or make more granny's and use a big coffee can. You pick :-)

Here it is once it is inserted. You just put it in, pull the sides up around and you can see the inside can. 

I just now noticed that I forgot the edging. I will have  to do that before I put it up until Christmas...

I actually made this bootie in a day. May of took me half a day. I used about 1/3 of each color. It took no yarn and it was easy to stitch together.

So there is another Christmas keepsake that I made.

I think the cancer makes me want to make ornaments and things that my family can keep if something would happen to me. You never know, I have several of my moms things that I remember from my childhood and I hope my kids do the same.

Now on to something pretty cool I signed up for and got in the mail...

Yup, your eyes aren't playing tricks. They are crocheted boobs. Made by volunteers, much better, cooler and lighter than the silicone pads you can wear. I got these because I had surgery on both breasts and after they done the biopsy's the breast tissue never filled in and I use these to give me a round figure. They do work and they feel great! They even let you chose a color and they send you extra stuff for filling. 

They are called Awesome Breastforms and you can find them at this link: Awesome Breastforms (free for cancer patients) from Jessie at Home.

I hope you enjoyed hanging out with me today and seeing what was on my hook. I have a few WIP'S in progress but that's for another post. 

~Crystal