Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Continuing On

I've finished the body of the baby blanket. I was able to make a lot of use of time waiting for an appointment. I started on the edge, opting to go with the original edge the pattern calls for simply because I had the directions with me and no access to the one I wanted to try. Sometimes life makes the choices for you. In addition to time to crochet I had time to work on my bible study, Made to Crave! I'm very thankful that I thought to take everything with me "just in case." I ended up waiting for quite a while and I had plenty to do to feel productive. I need to find the camera so I can take pictures of my progress, I'll post them in a little while. Have a great Crochet day!

Monday, February 27, 2012

Picking Up the Pieces

After being sick, I'm still working on the baby blanket. I'm almost finished with the body of it. I have two more sets of repeats and then it will be time for the edge. I plan on trying a different edge than the pattern calls for because the shell stitch seems a little feminine to me, but with the shells in the body of the blanket I may decide to go back to the original edge called for in the pattern. We'll just have to wait and see how it looks and then I'll decide what I want to do. I'm hoping that I can get the blanket completed this week and get back on schedule for some new projects!
I'm also finishing up Cycle 1 of the 17-Day-Diet, so far I'm down 5 pounds. Last time I was on Cycle 1 I didn't lose any so I'm really excited about this, but I have to admit that I'm ready to move on to Cycle 2. I'm loving leading the Made to Crave bible study, I have a great group of women joining me on my journey! The great thing is that the study is available online. Check out Lysa's website: www.madetocrave.org.
Have a great Crochet day!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Hanging in there!

I'm still not 100% but, I am improving, I've been able to spend a little bit of time working on the baby blanket. It is a fun and simple pattern, that is just different to keep it interesting. I'm really pleased with the way it is turning out. Here's the link again: http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/cuddle-coo-blanket
My plan for this week is to keep crocheting on the blanket.I'll post pictures when I start the trim, it doesn't look much different than the last pictures just more of the same rows :)
I also need to reclaim my house after several days of not being able to do much! School is on hold for now. I'm considering taking the rest of the month off, starting our break early, and resuming mid-March. The great thing about home schooling, is we get to be very flexible!
I'm also excited to report that despite not feeling well, I've been able to stick to my 17-Day-Diet meal plan and have lost 5 pounds! I've not been able to be very physically active, so I am excited to see results! I really love the Made to Crave bible study, it is really changing me from the inside out and helping stick with my meal plan.
Have a great Crochet day!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Sick Days

I've got some sort of virus! I won't work on the baby blanket until it's gone. I may try and work on another project, we'll see. I'll post again as soon as I'm feeling better. Have a great Crochet day!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Nothing New to Report

I've not had much time to crochet, I'm getting back to it in just a few minutes! Our homeschool co-op is at our house tomorrow so I've been working on cleaning and straightening things up around here. I've been doing well on the 17-Day-Diet and enjoying the Made to Crave bible study. At the moment I'm fighting a headache and I wonder if some of it is from the low-carb meal plan I'm doing. Back to the baby blanket! Have a great Crochet day!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Valentine's

February 14th is a strange day for me. I like all the romantic ideas that I see around me, but I don't want to be disappointed. I don't want to get "my hopes up" and then be let down. The romantic notions that I see all around me just aren't real so reality won't match up to it. When I was single, I thought it will wonderful when I'm dating or married, "if only" going through my mind. When I got married it became "if only" we had kids. Then the struggle of pregnancy loss and grief overshadowed any romantic notion of Valentines day, especially after our first baby was born and died due extreme prematurity, who could celebrate just a few short weeks later? Another year more grief and a "romantic valentine" just wasn't a priority. One year later we're rejoicing in the busyness of new parents, especially because our son was born with some health concerns, so we were even busier than most new parents. Fast forward 13 years, he's working full-time, going to school full-time, while I run our home and home school our son. We are blessed and my only request for this "special" day is to sit down together for dinner, a simple meal and conversation.  I think it must be maturity that dinner, flowers & candies just don't appeal to me. Being on a diet helps with those things too. I don't need an external date to say that he is special to me and that I'm thankful to God for bringing him into my life, everyday.  So I wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day, what ever shape it may take!

I'm making progress on the baby blanket. Have a great Crochet day!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Busy Weekends and Slow Days!

This weekend flew by. Even more so than many others. I started teaching Made to Crave with a wonderful group of women. I'm very excited to see where the Lord takes us on this journey. I also started back on the 17-Day-Diet, I'm enjoying being  back on it, although, I'm really missing the carbs. I know it's just for 17 days so I can handle it, especially with the Lord's help!

Needless to say I didn't get to crochet a lot this weekend. I am making progress. Here's a picture of the baby blanket so far.

My plan for this week is to just finish up the blanket. My house needs some real attention so I'm hoping to finish the blanket mid-week and the dig in on shoveling out a couple of rooms of my house! Have a great Crochet day!

Friday, February 10, 2012

Still Working on It!

I'm still working on the baby blanket. Not much progress to report. It's been a busy day with homeschooling and co-op and groceries. I'll post pictures on Saturday or Sunday when I get more done. On another note I'm switching diets. I'm excited to get back to the 17-Day-Diet and have more fruits and veggies, I'll miss the carbs that I've had on the Belly-Fat Cure, but I only lost 1 pound this last week while exercising 4 out-of  5 days. I think it's just too many carbs for my body. I'm also going to lead Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst starting tomorrow morning. I love this study and the way it's made me look at my relationship with food and the Lord. I highly recommend it! I need to go crochet so I can make more progress on this baby blanket! Have a great Crochet day!

Here's yesterdays progress:


Thursday, February 9, 2012

Baby Blanket Bliss

Yesterday I shared with you that many times I've tried out a new baby blanket pattern only to pull out my stitches and start over with my old stand by the diagonal stitch pattern. I love the diagonal stitch pattern, it's easy, simple & beautiful. This blog has challenged me to change things up and not rely on my old stand by. So I've started a new pattern. I'm loving it! It is well written and easy to follow and it's working up beautifully. It is a repeat of 3 rows and I only have 16 more repeats to go! :) Here's the link again http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/cuddle-coo-blanket
and a picture of my progress



Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Change of Pace!

I really enjoy making baby blankets. There is something so special and welcoming a new little life with a handmade gift! I've made a lot of them over the years. I'm really excited to make another this week. Here's the thing, I can crochet the diagonal stitch pattern, practically in my sleep. Having this blog is encouraging me to change the pace and explore other options. I've tried other patterns in the past and always go back to my favorite. This time will be different, I'm going to make a different pattern! I've chosen one by Red Heart you can find it here: http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/cuddle-coo-blanket I'm actually using Caron One Pound in Azure blue. I'm going to change up the edging when I get to that point. I'm going to use this edge I found on Pinterest since it's for a boy and the shells just feel a little lacy to me. http://pinterest.com/pin/87046205267481678/ . I'll be posting my progress over the next few days. Have a great Crochet day!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Wow, that was fast!

This dishcloth was way easier than I expected! I did have a little trouble with the directions, but nothing compared to the last project. I would recommend that you read all the instructions and place stitch markers on double crochets in loops indicated in the first round of the outer edge. I also some how missed that I was supposed to create 4 "corners" so mine came out more of a diamond shape. I really like the finished project.

I'm going to use the extra time this week to work on a baby blanket, she had a little boy yesterday so now I know what color to use! I'll post that project tomorrow. Have a great Crochet Night!

Change of Plans!

Sometimes you come to a fork in the road and have to do U-turn! The project I started for this week is not going well at all. I'm kinda bummed about it, but not giving up. I found the pattern to be very confusing. Then I went back and read the comments section on it which I don't normally do, and found that a lot of other people found it confusing too. So at least I don't feel alone. If you want to give it a try here are my suggestions, print it out and  mark up the pattern. They describe a "triple crochet 2 together" but really give you directions for a triple crochet/double crochet 2 together. I've spent most of the last 24 hours trying to work on this and just not accomplishing anything but a headache. I really wouldn't recommend this pattern. So here's the new plan I'm going to try a Celtic Knot dishcloth! Using the same materials. http://www.sugarncream.com/pattern.php?PID=5136

I'm going to take something for my headache, work-out, do school with my son and start over. Have a great Crochet day!

Monday, February 6, 2012

The Joys of Giving

If you read my last post, you know the hat I made didn't fit me. I had the wonderful pleasure of giving it away today. To see her face light up and know that she appreciated the fact that I had made it, was such pure joy for me! It motivates to me to make more and give it away more often!

Now to this weeks project: http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Bags/Everyday-Market-Bag-from-Bernat
 This is a neat Market bag, I'm looking forward to making it! Here are my supplies: I'm using a Lily SugarN'Cream from a large cone from my stash. I'm also going to use a I Love This Yarn Cotton, #276 Enchanting, that I used a Hobby Lobby coupon on to try! Plus a size "J" hook. I'm going to use the cream color for the bottom and handles and the variegated for the body of the bag.

On another note, I've not lost much weight lately, mainly because I've not been diligent about exercising. I started doing my Pilates again today and plan to work-out every day this week. Then I'll weigh again next week and see if this is the change I need. If not I will stop doing the Belly Fat Cure and go back to The 17-Day Diet and see if that doesn't jump-start some weight-loss. I'm really looking forward to starting our study of Made to Crave on Saturday, I think the accountability will make a big difference too! Have a great Crochet day!

Sunday, February 5, 2012

My Week 4 Project is Finished :)

I'm doing another happy dance! I finished the hat I wove in the ends just a little while ago. The hat is to small for me to wear, so I'm looking forward to passing it on to someone else!

I think it turned out pretty nice.

I'm looking forward to next weeks project, here's the link: http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Bags/Everyday-Market-Bag-from-Bernat

On another note I did my first party as myself! It felt really strange not having my wig, make-up and costume as a buffer! It went really well and everyone had a great time!!! Have a great Crochet day!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Progress is slow!

I've gotten a little more work done on the hat. I'm really enjoying it. Unfortunately, my husbands truck is going to need a major repair. I'm a little distracted in trying to decide if we should repair an old truck or not. I'll be posting pictures of my progress this weekend. My goal is to have the hat completed on Sunday then I'll be ready to go on to the next project! In the meantime here's a great article on organizing your yarn stash from Lion Brand Yarns. http://blog.lionbrand.com/2012/02/02/12-tips-on-how-to-organize-your-yarn-stash/
Have a great Crochet Day!

Always Expect the Unexpected!

I had an unexpected phone call yesterday. Nothing overly dramatic, my husband called to let me know his truck wouldn't start. This lead to a day of  the unexpected. It took a while to get it towed, etc. Needless to say, I didn't get any crocheting done. By the time my day settled down I wanted to get my kitchen squared away and then go for a nice walk while this weather is holding. Today is another busy day, especially since we only have one vehicle. My plan is to work on the hat whenever possible and post the pictures this afternoon. Have a great crochet day!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Oops, here's the start & progress of this weeks project!

I was so ready to start this new project that I forgot to take a picture of my supplies before I started. Here's the link for this weeks project. http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=107990



I got started and I'm liking the project so far. I didn't have the correct size pin for the broomstick lace portion, but I used what I had. I may need to add a few more rows along the way because my broomstick lace isn't as big as in the original.. I chose my yarn from my stash and unfortunately it didn't have a label, but it is a standard weight acrylic. I won't be choosing any non-acrylics, I'm allergic to wool and alpaca so I've given up trying those fibers.
On another note, it's over 60 degrees in Southern Indiana and we have SUNSHINE!!! We went for a walk as part of our Homeschool day. I would have liked to have made it much longer, I need the exercise, but we have other things to do today! I woke up to a beautiful foggy sunny day and just had to take pictures.




Have a Great Crochet Day!