I really felt stalled there for awhile earlier this week. I had some back pain flare up and I ended up losing sleep, so less motivation. Fortunately, healing and sleep has helped me over the last two days, and I am glad to say I'm making progress on all fronts!
I am SO happy to have finished the water panels for the otter afghan. They look really neat, but just seemed to me to take forever to do. The result has me thinking of using the technique for bags and other afghans, though - when I don't have urgent deadlines. Last night I finished the first green panel onto which I will applique cattails, and hope to finish the second tonight. Then it's only the "clam" panel and I can put them all together. Very exciting!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Been Busy and It's All Good
The past week was a blur. I finished and mailed a purse order (SALE!) that sold as a result of showcasing it on my Etsy site. The sale is a definite boost to my confidence. I also managed to finish the first of two water panels for the otter afghan, and make a small DS/card deck/small items bag for my son's friend that he can wear on his belt. Think I'll make more of these to sell with an option of a long shoulder and/or shorter wrist strap. Great for kids and BOYS. Boys are hard to crochet for!
It's a change of season, and my mind is spinning with ideas and projects. Other than the auction items, I must begin in earnest on things for my planned holiday open house (date undetermined as yet, but likely shortly before Thanksgiving). I'm thinking many easily whipped off items that will be popular as stocking stuffer gifts, like cowl scarves, hat and scarf sets, the little bag mentioned above, spa sets, etc. Also a couple of larger items that I've had listed for sale, but have not moved, like the Bloomin' Baby Blanket and market bag sets.
Makes my day: Today I've already received compliments on my peach short-sleeved sweater that I am wearing to work - the first clothing item I've dared to wear in public. It's perfect for days like today - cool but not cold - and is SO soft.
It's a change of season, and my mind is spinning with ideas and projects. Other than the auction items, I must begin in earnest on things for my planned holiday open house (date undetermined as yet, but likely shortly before Thanksgiving). I'm thinking many easily whipped off items that will be popular as stocking stuffer gifts, like cowl scarves, hat and scarf sets, the little bag mentioned above, spa sets, etc. Also a couple of larger items that I've had listed for sale, but have not moved, like the Bloomin' Baby Blanket and market bag sets.
Makes my day: Today I've already received compliments on my peach short-sleeved sweater that I am wearing to work - the first clothing item I've dared to wear in public. It's perfect for days like today - cool but not cold - and is SO soft.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
A Row Here, A Row There
Long periods of time to crochet have been nonexistent these last few days, much to my frustration. There's so much going on - school open houses and orientations, shopping for school clothes and supplies, birthday parties, soccer practices, etc., etc. scattered at intervals. Up, down, up, down, go, go, go...
The only way I get any crocheting done in these times is to settle for a row now, a couple of rows later, even a half a row before it's time to go again. Though difficult because of the stop-and-go, I am seeming to accumulate stitches on a regular basis. Keeping things neatly folded next to the end of the couch where I usually sit to work helps. I'm almost done with the gray rock panels for the otter afghan already. Mercifully, I decided on a zigzag popcorn pattern rather than a fabric full of popcorns!
The only way I get any crocheting done in these times is to settle for a row now, a couple of rows later, even a half a row before it's time to go again. Though difficult because of the stop-and-go, I am seeming to accumulate stitches on a regular basis. Keeping things neatly folded next to the end of the couch where I usually sit to work helps. I'm almost done with the gray rock panels for the otter afghan already. Mercifully, I decided on a zigzag popcorn pattern rather than a fabric full of popcorns!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
New Afghan Under Way - Thinking Otters!
While I wait for my Knit Picks order to arrive so that I can continue working on the tablecloth project, I have begun a new afghan that I plan on donating to our local zoo for their auction fundraiser. It's inspired by their newly completed otter exhibit!
I'm making panels representative of the otters' world - gray rocks, wavy stream water, wetland grasses and cattails, and clam shells. The border will have dark brown otter footprints on a tan background. I'm very excited about this project because it's a fun original design and I have a chance to do something good for a great local cause. Our zoo is truly a jewel in our community.
This year, I'm also contributing a fancy black clutch purse to our local day care center for their auction, and an undetermined item for our local land trust's auction. I'm hoping that at some point some custom work and purchases at my web site might result. In any case, I'm having a great time making unique, inspired creations.
I'm making panels representative of the otters' world - gray rocks, wavy stream water, wetland grasses and cattails, and clam shells. The border will have dark brown otter footprints on a tan background. I'm very excited about this project because it's a fun original design and I have a chance to do something good for a great local cause. Our zoo is truly a jewel in our community.
This year, I'm also contributing a fancy black clutch purse to our local day care center for their auction, and an undetermined item for our local land trust's auction. I'm hoping that at some point some custom work and purchases at my web site might result. In any case, I'm having a great time making unique, inspired creations.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Camping and Crocheting
Last week we went on vacation to our annual tent camping spot in the mountains by the pond. To be honest, I was kind of dreading it. Camping is never exactly easy, so it's not as if we were going to spend much time resting. The whole week before we left I would look around the house and fantasize about all the things I could get done with the boys off on a trip. I'd get that sofa recovered, that afghan made, that woodwork painted...
But there was no way I was going to not go on this trip, so I resigned myself and packed up. The week was really wonderful for me, much to my surprise. I had relatively mild allergy reactions to the fire smoke and pollen, and I really enjoyed the fresh air and fun. I mostly hung around camp, but did manage two canoe trips and two visits to a nearby natural history activity center that my boys loved.
I had finished my book by the fourth day in camp, so began again crocheting six-sided blocks for the tablecloth I have in progress. I have to say that I loved crocheting by my warm fire, listening to the breeze in the trees and the loons calling. My yarn stock stayed at my side in a plastic bag so that no camp dirt would be incorporated into the design, and I worked away peacefully in the folding camp chair, tea in the cup holder. I finished five blocks!
But there was no way I was going to not go on this trip, so I resigned myself and packed up. The week was really wonderful for me, much to my surprise. I had relatively mild allergy reactions to the fire smoke and pollen, and I really enjoyed the fresh air and fun. I mostly hung around camp, but did manage two canoe trips and two visits to a nearby natural history activity center that my boys loved.
I had finished my book by the fourth day in camp, so began again crocheting six-sided blocks for the tablecloth I have in progress. I have to say that I loved crocheting by my warm fire, listening to the breeze in the trees and the loons calling. My yarn stock stayed at my side in a plastic bag so that no camp dirt would be incorporated into the design, and I worked away peacefully in the folding camp chair, tea in the cup holder. I finished five blocks!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Getting Ready to Learn
Today I will register for a continuing education seminar at our local college. It's a half day next month, inexpensive, and right up my alley. Successful Arts and Crafts Marketing. Perfect. I had considered registering for a longer, more in-depth entrepreneurial business course, but it seemed to be much more than I would need in order to learn how to run a booth at craft fairs and make sure I'm not breaking any laws! I'm very excited to be taking this step.
Also, I plan on holding an open house/reception at my home for friends and family as a kickoff for my business. I've got to get started on some holiday stock - gift bags, ornaments and the like. This also has me very excited and inspired. Wish me luck!
Also, I plan on holding an open house/reception at my home for friends and family as a kickoff for my business. I've got to get started on some holiday stock - gift bags, ornaments and the like. This also has me very excited and inspired. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Tablecloths for the Holidays
I've decided to offer at least one lace tablecloth for sale at my Etsy site for the holidays. As an example of how yarn speaks during a project, and how creative projects evolve, I started making a baby afghan for a friend and realized that the pattern is too lacy for my taste. (I prefer making baby blankets with high contrast and lots of texture for the baby to enjoy.) The yarn I am using is a sport weight off-white organic cotton from Knit Picks that I am currently totally in love with. It's SO soft. I am making the six-sided motif with a 5.00 mm hook, so the blocks are quite large.
As I was working, I got thinking about the tablecloth I started last year for myself - of number 10 cotton crochet thread. Very small blocks. Will take me 20 years to finish. Why not make a tablecloth out of this??!! And, voila. The project has emerged. I could sell it - perfect for holiday time! So here goes...
As I was working, I got thinking about the tablecloth I started last year for myself - of number 10 cotton crochet thread. Very small blocks. Will take me 20 years to finish. Why not make a tablecloth out of this??!! And, voila. The project has emerged. I could sell it - perfect for holiday time! So here goes...
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