Sunday, December 04, 2005
Pillows!
I made this Green Bay Packers pillow for my brother for his birthday that was last month:
This is a Colts pillow I just finished today. It was a commission by a friend for her boyfriend for Christmas:
And here are some mini Green Bay & Colts pillows:
I have patterns for all of these listed at my Crochet page here:
Jen's Patterns
I also made this fish pillow for my dad:
He has it happily sitting on top of his computer :)
Other than that, I am mainly working on Christmas presents, so I can't disclose any info about them ;)
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Pillow Patterns Posted!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Monday, November 14, 2005
Going to the mailbox soon!
I really need to sit down and make a list of all of the stuff I have to make by when so that I can prioritize... Cuz I know I probably shouldn't be working on stuff for the sale with all of the presents to make, haha.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
eBay Listings and K&C Club Winter Sale(s)!
Personalized Crochet Christmas Stocking
Personalized Green Bay Packers Pillow
Both are starting at $40.
The K&C Club is having another sale. Well, actually we're having two. One will be the Wednesday & Thursday after Thanksgiving, which will be on campus. The second one is that Saturday at the Luminary Festival. We're renting a booth for $15. I'm just hoping people will actually make things. I'm trying to make as much as I can without sacrificing Christmas presents, lol... I was hoping to have the on-campus sale a week later, but the ceramics sale is that whole week, so we couldn't. Hopefully all will go well! All of my free time is spent working on crochet stuff, haha. That's okay, tho, cuz I like doing it. I've already made a pair of mittens, and I am going to make some small Packers and Colts pillows (about 6" x 6"). I also will probably make a few more plain hats, because those seemed to be in demand before. I can't remember how I made them, tho... I'll have to find a pattern I guess, lol.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Too many secrets...
I made the scarf to go with the green hat for that one guy; having trouble getting a meeting time with him to get it to him, tho, as he doesn't check his e-mail very often... I also made a hat for a friend of mine on commission that is a burgandy version of the navy hat in my October 15th post; I'll take a photo of it before I give it to her so I can show you. I've also been sporatically working on my afghan; it's turning out quite beautifully :)
Other than that, I have Christmas presents to finish, which is what I will be working on pretty much exclusively after I finish the swap bag (except for perhaps the afghan, cuz I want to have it this winter...).
I haven't done too much crocheting lately, really, because I have SO much stuff to work on for my classes... I have a critique in metals this Wednesday, and I have a bunch of stuff that needs to get done...
Thursday, October 20, 2005
YAY!
Oh my gosh, the sale did AWESOME! We sold $290 in items, making $94 for Breast Cancer Research! I'm so excited! :-D I myself sold the most things; I made $93 after you take out the money for the fundraiser! :-D I feel kind of bad for the person who didn't sell anything (even tho she only entered 4 things). I'm not gonna tell the people in the club how much I made myself, cuz I majorly blew away everyone else in the sale, lol... I'm not sure quite how...? Oh well, it makes me happy! :-D Some of the things I thought would sell didn't, and some of the things I DIDN'T think would sell did. LOL...
So, the things I sold (click on links to see photos of the things):
- BOTH of my daffodils sold
- my green hat, and the guy asked me to make him a scarf to match
- my brown ruffle hat (which I loved, but since I don't wear hats I parted with it)
- the pink headscarf (I'm kind of happy the blue & white one didn't sell, lol; now I can wear it!)
- my yellow hat
- my plain blue hat
- my blue sparkle yarn hat
- the blue ruffle hat (the one that was SUPPOSED to be a baby hat, but was way too big, lol...)
- and my ladybug purse; I haven't shown you guys a photo of this yet, so I will post one below:
(sorry the photo isn't too great; I had to snap a photo of it kind of quickly, lol...)
I got the pattern for this here; there is a bumble bee purse, too! They're called "Handbugs", lol. I didn't use the fuzzy yarn, and I had to make up my own dots because of it, but I think it turned out really cute :)
I started an afghan today. I know, do I really need another project right now? I've decided that I should make one, tho, and who knows how long it will take me, but I'll just work on it inbetween other projects. It's going to be a Granny Ripple afghan :)
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Website Update and Photos
I finally took some photos of things that I've been making lately, as well as some earlier things that I just never took photos of. The first is a photo of the two doily-coasters that I have made for my mother so far. The pattern can be found here.
This is a purse that I designed; I wrote down the pattern and will eventually post it. Too bad my camera kind of washed it out, lol... Hopefully I'll get a better photo for when I post the pattern.
This is a "baby" hat I made that didn't turn out quite how I thought it would. The pattern was a bit confusing, and for some reason it ended up really big even tho I checked my gauge, and the brim is completely wrong. The pattern is here if anyone wants to try to figure it out and see a pic of what it is SUPPOSED to look like. I didn't even bother to do the white part, since by then it was too messed up...
This ponytail hat didn't turn out quite how I wanted it to, either. It's pattern is here.
I wish this photo wasn't so dark. There is a better picture at the pattern site, here. Mine is dark blue, I swear!
This is a stuffed dolphin that I made this summer and never took photos of; I just kept forgetting! His pattern came from here.
This is an in-progress photo of the dog pillow I am making. I still have to finish putting his "fur" on him. Sorry the photo is so bad; my camera doesn't like to take pictures of dark things... This is a modification of this pattern.
Phew, that was a lot of photos!
I haven't worked on my swap bag since the last post; I've been working on making more things for the sale. It's this Wednesday and Thursday, and I really hope it goes well!
Monday, October 10, 2005
Almost done!
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Granny Squares
Hopefully I'll find time to make it soon!
Friday, October 07, 2005
Pattern Site Update, Etc.
I ran out of one of my colors for the purse today, so I have to buy more before I can continue. I really should be spending more time making things for the sale tho. I need to figure out some other stuff to make, tho, and at the moment I can't figure anything new out. We shall see. I don't think we're going to have a lot of stuff to sell; most of our club members are new and can't crochet fast enough to make things to sell. I suggested wash cloths as something easy and quick. We shall see how it goes! I want to organize another sale at the beginning of December, too.
Oh, I've also been dubbed the club secretary as of this Wednesday. The girl who was supposed to be secretary hasn't shown up to any of the meetings this semester, and Emily (the president) doesn't know her last name, so she can't contact her. She decided that since I put so much work into the club (more than the vice president, actually) that I should be an officer. So now I'm in charge of the mailing list, and I'm pretty much in charge of the sales cuz Emily doesn't really have time. Dunno what else I'll be doing, lol. I guess we'll see!
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Quick Update
Oh, I don't know if I mentioned this, but I've been seeing a Physical Therapist for my shoulder, and it's been getting better. Hopefully it will be completely better soon!
Friday, September 30, 2005
Crochet Swap!
I was confused at first, cuz she gave me two names, and I thought that I just traded with one other person, but apparently it's a circle thing. So I'm making a bag for Stephanie :) I'm still kinda trying to figure out what to make, although I have a few possibilities. Her form she filled out says she wants a Tote. Hopefully I can pick something she'll like :)
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Christmas Stocking - Finished!
I'm really happy with how it turned out :)
If anyone wants the pattern, it is at FreePatterns.com. You have to have an account to see the patterns, but it's free. Just go to the Crochet section, than Special Occasions; I think it's on the 3rd pages of patterns. I made a couple modifications, but it's basically the same.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Stocking Update
I wove in all of the ends so far and sewed on the Christmas trees. I also made the little tree that will hang from the top. I am going to e-mail my aunt and ask her about the extra motif before I do any more.
EDIT: I got the OK to do the extra checked motif, so I'll probably be finishing up the stocking tomorrow!
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Christmas Stocking - In Progress
I had some trouble figuring out how to do the name. First I just crocheted it in, but it wasn't very legible. So then I decided to try to crochet over the top of that to make it more legible, and this is what I ended up with:
Ugly, huh? I thought so, lol. So then I decided to try to do just that part of the stocking with Afghan Stitch. The name was perfectly legible, but I stitched it WAY too tight (wish I could show you; I frogged it to save yarn; I can't believe I didn't notice it until I had finished the name...). I didn't have a proper hook for that, which is probably why it got so tight. So then I decided just to crochet the part white and cross-stitch the name over it. This is how the pattern had you originally doing the heart design that was meant to be on the white band. So I'm thoroughly chastised for not trusting and following the pattern, lol... Anyways, here is how it looks now:
Much better, eh? LOL... Teach me to not trust a pattern...
I still have the Christmas Tree to crochet and sew onto the big white part, and the little Christmas Tree that will hang from a string off the top, and the top has a little bit more that the pattern has you add at the end (another row of red, then two rows of white). I've actually been thinking maybe I should do another checked motif above the name, but I've gotta get my Aunt Sue's okay on that first. Then I have to sew the side up and weave in all the ends!
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Beginning Commissions
I also began the X-mas stocking tonight during K&C Club. It's progressing amazingly quickly! I am already halfway down the shaft of the sock (or whatever it's called; that's just how I'll describe that part of the sock).
Saturday, September 24, 2005
More flea market finds!
- Coat's & Clark's "Baby Fashions to Knit & Crochet", Book No. 191 (co. 1969) - lots of cute baby patterns
- Woman's Day "Granny Squares" (1974) - this one has a lot of promising patterns in it! :)
- "Smart Crochet: Fashions & Home Decorating" (1955) - more cute baby patterns
- "Modern Needlecraft" (Fall/Winter 1966) - has a cute top and some cute baby things
- "Woman's World Knit & Crochet" (Spring 1973) - has a cute top I want to modify
- "Smart Crochet" (1953) - more cute baby things
- Leisure Arts "Christmas Stockings for the Family", Leaflet 301 (1984)
- Leisure Arts "Crocheted Potholders", Leaflet 281 (1983) - some really cute potholders, including a chicken, a pig, an apple w/ a worm, a rainbow, slice of watermelon, a heart, and a few more
I'm quite thrilled :) Now I just need time and my shoulder to heal! LOL :)
There was another woman who came in and was looking for poncho patterns to make for her grandaughter. She didn't have time to stay and look thru them all like I was, so I told her to ask her daughter to look up patterns on the internet, and told her to have her pull up CrochetPatternCentral.com, and she wrote it down. Hopefully she'll find some things she likes :)
Monday, September 19, 2005
Daffodils!
The stems were a PAIN. I bought floral wire stems and some of that floral tape, and the tape was all sticky and annoying, so I coated them with a thin layer of glue. The center part of the daffodils isn't as 3D as I would've liked. Oh well!
In other news, I talked to Emily (the K&C Club president), and she agrees with me about the name for the sale, and we are going to change it. Yay!
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Headscarves!
The blue one with the ruffle is my favorite :)
Whatcha think? Think they'll sell?
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Magazines and K&C Club Sale
So the K&C Club has set up a date for our next sale. It has been decided that we are going to give a percentage of the money to breast cancer research. Guess what they've decided to call it? "Knits for Tits"... No, this was not voted in, it was one of those spur of the moment jokes that someone decided to keep. I personally think it's a bit offensive. Donovan felt it was very offensive, and said that if he had a friend or family member with breast cancer he would be very offended and upset. What do you guys think? I think I'm gonna try to broach this topic with the club president, since she's one of my good friends... I don't think they'll change it, tho. Despite the derogatory name, and even tho I'll feel ashamed to sit behind the table running it, it is for a good cause so I am making some things. I've gone thru my patterns to find some simple things I can make up quick, because I don't have time to make any more major things. Today I whipped out a couple of headscarves (in solid colors, tho, not multi-colored like in the photo for the pattern). They each only took me a little over an hour. I'm gonna make more of them. I'm also thinking of trying a hacky sack, and if it's not too hard I'll make a few more, cuz I'm almost positive those would sell. We have some avid hacky-sackers in the art department here! If I have time I might also make some simple stuffed animals, like the Amigurumi Bunny & the Hello Kitty doll. If I can figure out where to buy flax seed I might make some Comfort Packs. I dunno how much of this I'll actually get done, but we shall see.
My shoulder is still bothering me... I really need to go into the health center, but I'm afraid I'm gonna sit in the waiting room for 90 minutes to have them just give me a pain killer and say to wait it out, even tho it's been 5 1/2 weeks since it started hurting & it isn't any better... I should drag myself in their tomorrow before my painting class... I need to pick up a prescription anyways... *sigh* I want it not to hurt when I crochet! I could get SO much more done...
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
My new books, etc!
- "Ponchos & Parkas" - has 8 patterns; I'm not much of a poncho person, so I don't know if I'll ever use this one; I don't know what year it's from, but it's gotta be the 70s or 80s from the hairstyles
- "McCall's Needlework & Crafts", Summer 1978 edition - this one it one of my favorites that I got; it has a lot of neat stuff!
- "Craftworks for Home" August 1992 edition
- "Crafts", September 1986 edition
- "Better Homes & Gardens: Needlepoint" - don't know if I'll ever use this one, but who knows?
- "Paula Vaughan's Rose Garden" - a very cute cross stitch book with flower patterns
- "Pansies in Profusion" - very pretty cross stitch patterns
- "Inspiration for Everyday" from the Stoney Creek collection - cross stitch
- "Noah's Ark for Baby" - really cute baby designs; I might use this one some day!
- "Sunbonnet Babe" - cross stitch patterns
- "Think on these Things" - cross stitch booklet with verse-inspired patterns
- "Cover Your Buns" - cross-stitch designs for cloth napkins
- "Just CrossStitch", March-April 1985 issue
- "Just CrossStitch", August 1993 issue
- a leaflet for an "Old-Fashioned 'Windowpane' Knitted Afghan"
- "Christmas Cross-Stitch Decorations & Gifts" - 1997 holiday issue of "The Cross Stitcher"
- "Kitchen Stitchin" - cross stitch & needlepoint designs
- "Shaker Apple Basket" - cross-stitch pattern
- "Country & Colonial Stitches: Winter Solstice" - cross-stitch pattern
- "Colonial Fruit Theorem" - stylized cross-stitch patterns of fruit
- "United in God's Love" - 11 cross-stitch marriage samplers; I might make some of these
- "Omnibook of Florals" - an awesome cross-stitch book of flowers
I might be interested in selling some of these, so if you are interested leave me a note and I will contact you.
The things I got from my grandma:
- "The Workbasket", Aptil 1984 edition
- "Coats & Clark's: Old & New Favorites" - some gorgeous crochet patterns for table linens and bedspreads; I don't know if I'll ever have the patients to do anything so intricate!
- "Festive Tatting" - snowflakes and ornaments
- "Woman's Day Book of American Needlework" by Rose Wilder Lane, 1963 (daughter of Laura Ingalls Wilder!) - very awesome, and sure to be useful, book!
So I'm excited. Here are some photos of some of the patterns I want to do:
Cute stuffed toy patterns! :
I love the pink and white dress on the right! :
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
New Stuff!
Friday, September 02, 2005
First Swap!
Oh, I also signed up for some crochet blog webrings :) I want to find other blogs to look at and have people come visit mine! So far I've been officially accepted into one of them.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
An attempt at a crochet break...
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Gobs of people!
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Pillows and K&C Club
Tomorrow night is the first meeting of Knitting & Crochet Club for the Fall semseter! Emily said that she got TONS of people's names & e-mail addresses at the Activity Fair last Saturday. She's a bit worried what'll happen if they ALL come, lol. I'm sure only a fraction will actually come, and only a fraction of those people will come regularly. But hopefully we'll pick up a few cool new people! I love to go and sit around and chat with everyone and show off all the stuff we've made. I have lots of stuff to show them that I made over the summer! :-D I don't know if I'll actually get to do any of my own work the first meeting, tho. I'm sure I'm going to be designated a crochet teacher, haha. I have to make a bag full of scrap yarn for people to use, since not everyone will bring stuff. I'm thinking of buying some of those cheapo plastic hooks to let people borrow, cuz I don't want to let them take my aluminum hooks and possibly never give them back...
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Stupid advertising comments...
I figured out how to put up Progress Bars in the left bar :) Anyone else who wants to know how, go here.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Progress on first pattern!
Monday, August 22, 2005
Craft Tote!
I also bought some more yarn at Walmart. Some more of the yarn I'm making my bell-sleeved top out of, and some chunky yarn to make another dog bone mat. Hopefully I'll have time to do all of my projects, since school started today!
Sunday, August 21, 2005
To Do
* update my crochet page
* finish my stuffed animal crochet website
* finish my mom's doilies
* finish my bell-sleeve top
* make pig & doggie pillows for Lora
* make Elizabeth's Christmas Stocking for Aunt Sue
* make cute fluffy dog & possibly snowman
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Recent Crochet Projects
Spongebob Halter Top: (more photos here, here, and here)
I found a halter pattern and altered it and made it yellow, then the eyes are three different sizes of circles, the teeth are squares, and the black lines are backstitched on. The idea came from another poster at the Crochetville Forum.
Girls Shrug: (more photos here, here, here, here and here)
and shoes to go with here. The "pattern" for the shrug came from the Crochetville Forum. It's amazingly easy!
Baby Things: Nobody freak out! I am NOT pregnant; these are for that "someday" daughter! They were just too cute NOT to make :)
I found the pattern for the first dress here. The Daisy Dress came from a booklet called "Beautiful Baby". I found the pigtail hat pattern here.
Dog Bone Rug: (sorry the photo is bad; it's actually navy blue)
The pattern for this rug came from the Crochetville Forum. I'm planning on making a few more as Christmas presents for some family members :)
Well, that's all for now. I am currently working on two projects. I am making some doily/coasters for my mother, and also attempting to design my own top (not sure if this will be successful).
New Blog!
I got married on January 1st of this year to a wonderful man named Donovan. He is majoring in Geology at the same college as me. Here is a photo from our wedding day:
I hope you enjoy my blog!