black/green shawl is blocking finally!!!!  Happy to have this one finished.  Also fresh off the hook today, the star burst ripple my mom asked me to make.  Literally just finished this one........

Busy hooks and needles now....Finally cast off the green/black xandra.  Only thing left is to weave a small amount of ends and get it blocked.  The ends are curling a bit so it could benefit from at least a little blocking.  The green did make it to the end but just barely.  I am wondering how much it will grow during blocking...

 

I am one happy stitcher right now  I have a new beautifully hand crafted sold oak Amish style yarn swift made by my father in law.  I see lots of yarn cakes in my future.

Finally getting going on the starburst rr for my mom.  Loving the colors so far......

New cake today. I saw a yarn basket cake on pinterest and thought Nifty Needlers would enjoy it  It was fun to make a little time consuming, and I certainly have a long way to go (still learning) but I thought it turned
out okay.

I really must get better about keeping this page updated.   For reasons unknown to me, I keep forgetting about this blog of mine.   Maybe I should do a monthly review to keep up, lol.    Since the last time I was here I have been a little busy,.  I finished Wilton cake decorating course one around Halloween.  Then started course 3 the first week of November (the instructor suggested taking course 2 last).  Just finished the final cake for course 3.  I have a better appreciation for those who do this as a profession.   I did have lots of fun learning something new, and now have a bit of a different view when I see those beautifully decorated wedding cakes.   Here is my final project......Fondant (green) covered cake with gum paste calla lilies with a ring of butter cream cupcakes.   I look forward to course 4 (advanced gum paste and flowers)...I'm going to take a break through December and maybe try course 4 in January.  Making the flowers was great, but perhaps the most fun part of the class is that my 14 year old daughter took the class with me.  She has a creative side as well, so it was a blast.

This is Breona's finished cake.......her first cake decorating class....She also made calla lilies  as well as blue fondant.  The green shine is petal dust.  I am super proud of her for not only sticking with the class, but also for expressing her creative side completely.

Now that we have finished cake decorating,  it's time to get back to stitching.  I took yet another break from the green/black shawl until about 2 days ago.  This am I have just started the black section of segment 12.  It should have been finished long ago, but between other projects and life it keeps getting put aside.  I am also aware that it has more than a few mistakes, but at this point I refuse to frog it.  I have too much work invested in it.  It is also huge.  I am still worrying about the green being enough.  I think it will be really close not very much of it left now.  I am sure it is enough to start the last segment, just not sure if there is enough to complete the project.  And I can't seem to find anymore so not sure how it will work out, guess I will have to make that decision when I get to it.   I finished a left hand (did the pattern wrong but liked the finished mitt, so I have decided to make it a pair.  I also completed a right hand in a different yarn and needle size, I paid more attention to the pattern instructions this time around.  So now I need to make the opposite hand for each color to finish the mitts.  I did finish a basic pair of garter stitch mitts for Breona.  She loved them enough to wear around the house most of the afternoon and evening last night. :)    That kind of appreciation is part of what keeps me stitching!!  

On the hook today,  a baby afghan my Mom asked me to make for her Dr.  This one is being done in red heart soft baby steps(aqua), red heart soft (teal , white) and Vanna's choice baby (ducky).  I am using  5-10 point starburst round ripple  available here http://www.etsy.com/shop/roseredsdesigns.  

Coffee break is over time to get back to stitching,  Also need to photograph a few items to post here.   I guess this Saturday is going to be interesting.........

working on lots of things today.  testing a pair of fingerless mitts.  I can't seem to read a pattern this week.  I finished the first one and posted it, only to find out from the designer that I did the pattern wrong.  So now working on a second  mitt reading the pattern correctly (I hope) this time.  In addition to the mitt I am still working on the green/black shawl I have had going for what seems like forever now.  Up to segment number 11 (13 total once again I hope to finish soon).  Also hope the green holds out to the end, I fear it's gonna be really close.

Switching gears a bit today........I am taking a cake decorating class and having lots of fun with it.  Thought I would post a few pics.  The first pic is my practice cake using a star tip.

The next pic is from lesson 2.  This one we did in class last night, but mine wasn't finished so I had a bit of homework to do.  Most fun homework ever I think, lol.

moving along on the shawl, up to segment 8 now, 5 more to go........It's going to be huge I think.  Pics coming soon.   Still finishing up the zebra/hot pink baby afghan, the hat and booties to match are still waiting to be done.   I think I will try to finish those as well as work on the some fingerless mittens.....Chilly day outside, so maybe today is a good day to veg out in front of the tv and stitch.......

On my mind today............all the many things I need to finish!  Working on a black/green knit triangle shawl.  I tested the pattern for a fellow ravelry member....about half way finished with it.  I am calling it my trial and tribulation shawl because everything that could go wrong with this shawl has.  The first problem happened with the sweeper.  The yarn got sucked up and disaster!!!  So I completely ripped it out and started over.
  Next issue came when trying to post to the test thread forum.    I have been looking at the help my ravelry is broken forum...because mine is broke!!  I can't post, in google chrome.   It does work at least part of the time in explorer, so maybe something about chrome doesn't work with ravelry.

Next issue...I laid the work down in the middle of a row (I know better) and dropped about 20 stitches.  I am too far into the work to start over, so I did manage to pick the stitches back up but I am afraid it will be noticeable when it's done.  Too early to tell on that yet. 


I have in mind the hat and booties to go with thw zebra/pink round ripple, trying to get that done in the next day or two. 

time to get back to stitching, not just thinking about it.

I kinda forgot about this blog with the beginning of school, setting up a craft fair booth, stitching a baby blanket, and testing a shawl pattern.  Lots of projects in different stages at the moment.  Currently on my hook is a zebra print and hot pink 12 point round ripple.  It's a baby gift, not the colors I would normally choose but I think it is working out nicely.  Also trying to find the perfect pair of booties and hat to go with it.  Just not sure which to choose on that.

What a week!  I started the blue/white afghan for the family reunion on Monday  August 13, 2012.  (raffle was yesterday).  My procrastination caused me to lose some sleep this week trying to get the thing done!  I did manage to finish it just in time though, luckily (I was weaving in the ends half an hour before leaving to go to the reunion).   So now my latest afghan has a new home, the happy new owner said it was going on her bed.  The UK in the center of the afghan was removed, it just didn't work out the way I had hoped it would. So here is what I have been working on this week.

Just finished testing a hat pattern on ravelry.  Learning new things all the time!  My hat is blocking now using a dinner plate.  Blocking using this method and making a slouch style hat are both new for me.  The hat is made using knit picks felici yarn rainbow colorway.  I believe I am getting used to the wet wool smell, lol.  Not sure what to knit next,.    Really need to be crocheting an afghan so I guess that's next......

My first county fair!!!  I have wanted to do this for some time and honestly didn't know where to begin.  Thanks to my friends at Crochetville and Nifty Needlers I was encouraged to give it a try.  I won 5 ribbons....one blue, three red, and one white.  Overall, very happy with my first fair experience.    The blue ribbon was for the my green felted purse, I loved the way it turned out.  I see more felting in my future, it was much fun!   One of the red ribbons was on the criseyede scarf I tested on ravelry.  I am amazed by this one, I guess I am growing with my knitting, a year ago I would not have tried that pattern.  I would have been to intimidated by the pattern.  Anyway here is a photo of all five projects (with ribbons attached)!!

Time for the county fair......  I decided to try something new.....felting, I used most of 1 skein of classic merino (green) and some of the $1 big lots yarn, they worked great together.   I had lots of fun with the project and love the results.  I have to do that again!!!!  My bag one a blue ribbon.  had a few other too,  pics later.   for now just a before and after of the felted bag.

moving right along on the bonfire wingspan.  Also started the flying diamonds shawl using magic glitz.  My mother in law really liked that yarn, so I am making the flying diamonds for her.

My first blocking done.  Wow I am pleasantly surprised with the results.  My scarf grew 11 inches during blocking, and has wonderful drape now.  The first pic is before blocking, the second is after blocking.

Lots of things on the needles and hooks today......  Just finished the scarf I was testing for a member on Ravelry.  Love the way it turned out.  Lots of new things with this scarf.  This will be my first attempt at blocking, first attempt a knitting a lace pattern.  First time testing a pattern on ravelry.  Hmmm,  I guess that means I am growing (at least a little)  as a knitter.  A year ago I would not have tried to tackle this type of pattern.  Thank you Nifty Needlers and Crochetville, I am much more willing to try seeing such lovely work from all of you.

Also on the needles today, trying out the pattern Wingspan with patons lace 'bonfire' . Love self striping long color repeats as well as the triangle wedges on the one.  Another new area for me, short rows, I have tried this a little in the past without much success, but it's such a cool pattern, I had to try again.  This one also has I cord in it, guess I will be back to youtube for help with that one, yet another first for me.

As if that is not enough, I have also signed up for a mystery shawl KAL on ravelry, still trying to find the right yarn for that one.  I really want to use the malabrigo stonechat, so I trying to find something to go with it.

On the hooks right now I have two things flying diamonds shawl (ice yarn magic glitz) need to have that one done next week so I guess it's time to get it together!!

Also on the hook 5-10 point star-burst round ripple for the family reunion, again need to get moving.....

Not enough hours in the day for all that need to be done, the fair deadline is fast approaching (Aug 2)  guess I will be stitching right down to the wire............

Happy 4th of July.......going in search of big lots yarn today...also still working on the scarf I am testing for a ravelry member.  The Paton's classic merino was not working for me, so I frogged it and am now at repeat number 8.  This time around I am using bamboo ewe mermaid colorway.  It's working up nicely, gotta get some pics later.


Also put the light blue sc border on the sweet pea, love the way the blue makes it pop.  Again have to take more pics....after yarn shopping...........

just got this in the mail.....malabrigo superwash merino, stonechat is the colorway.......gorgeous....now to fine the perfect pattern!.

I tried hand dyeing wool for the first time Thursday.  Started with blackberry ridge thistledown yarn 1500 grams.  (2 skeins).   I dyed the first one using a mixture of blue and green food coloring.  I ran out of the blue, so the second skein is all green.  You tube videos were extremely helpful with this project.  I don't like the way the wool smells when it is wet, but the process was fun.   I will try it again in the near future.

1500 grams blackberry ridge farms thistledown  100% wool cobweb yarn

pre-soaking before dyeing

after dyeing, love the way they turned out!!

kelly green

teal shaded

This was extremely fun, loved the whole process, the only thing I didn't like the smell of wet wool...ewww!!  Fortunately the smell goes away when the wool dries!

Lots of things going on today........I was ready to edge the sweet pea, and realized that the fans don't line up on the top and bottom, so not really sure how to fix it.   I guess I will have to play around with it until I find something that will work.

I am testing a knitted lace scarf for a fellow ravelry member and  I am amazed to find that what looked much too complicated for my range of skills is actually turning out quite nicely!  I think I never really saw myself knitting past dishcloths...between the sweet pea and this scarf I am learning a bit more about knitting!

Also on the hook I am going to finish up the baby blue swirl for Rylee.  I should have finished it already, but wasn't sure what kind of edging to put on it.

As if I don't already have enough going I also started the hakelbeutel bag  in bernat mosaic calypso.  It's going to be very bright, but I am loving this yarn and it's wonderful long color changes.  


Found some Malabrigo on ebay, in wonderful red.brown fall tones, can't wait to work it into something.  I am also going to attempt hand dyeing,  I saw a video on you tube, it didn't look to difficult,  we will see!  Well time to get back to stitching....all these projects are not gonna stitch themselves.

moving along on the sweet pea baby blanket.  I am about half way through skein number 3.  not sure how big it is going to be, i have one more skein of the nursery colorway and I plan to use light blue to make a border.

pastel rainbow sweet pea up close

pastel rainbow sweet pea





It's coming along nicely.  I wasn't sure if I would like this yarn at first, but now I think it is going to be a lovely baby blanket.  Not sure how much yarn I will use,  I will just have to stitch until it looks big enough.

Time for a new project.  I have wanted to make a knit blanket for sometime.  Most of my knit projects up to now have been dishcloths, hats, or scarves.  So I am both excited and a bit anxious to be taking this on.  The pattern I am using is sweet pea baby blanket (it's a free pattern on ravelry).  I am using Deborah Norville Everyday (premier yarns) in nursery print and soft blue.  Just cast on this am, and have worked through the second pattern repeat.  Will post pics when it gets a bit bigger, not much too it just yet.

Here are a few pics of the finished afghan......I love the way it turned out.  I have named it black and blue, but have been calling it the tron blanket, lol.  The colors reminded me of scenes from the movie and the video game.

Finishing up the black and blue afghan.  I have attached the granny squares to each corner, as well as using up the 5 skein of loops and threads impeccable (black)  Now I am on the last two rows (border).  Will post ics as soon as I finish the border and weave in the remaining ends.

the four groups of 6 granny squares

put together each group of 6 granny squares for the corners of the ripple afghan.  now on to finish piecing the afghan together!








Almost finished with this afghan, all that is left is attaching the 4 pieces and then doing the border!

afghan 6-3-2012

close up of afghan

what it will look like when corner are attached

finished making the 24 granny squares for this afghan.  assembled each group of six,  and I am surprised.... I really don't like weaving in ends or sewing squares together.  maybe it's just that there aren't that many of them or maybe I just can't wait to see them as part of the afghan.  I am working on the last of the stripe pattern and then will be attaching the squares.

Hello, and welcome to my blog. I created this blog so I could share my crochet projects, some in progress, some already finished. some only only in my wish list, .  I will also be posting my knitted works, I am still learning so it's definitely a work in progress on that subject!

most recent pics of current afghan

May 30,2012

different angle

May 30,2012

making progress May 24,2012

beginning of afghan May 10, 2010

June 2, 2012:  Wow, I kinda forgot that I started up a blog....I plan to update this more frequently now.

I am currently working on Leisure Arts #191 Crocheted Rainbow Set Helen Passey, designer.

This afghan I am donating to a family reunion coming up in July.  Started on May 10,2012.  I am using loops and threads impeccable (black), caron simply soft  white, soft blue, light country blue, celestial, and dark country blue and red heart soft mid blue.I am close to finishing this one, just have to finish the granny squares that make up the corners, and then  probably a few more  rounds to get to the size I want it to be.  Even though the pattern is a baby afghan I am using worsted weight yarn and an "h" hook, so that it will be the size of a throw.

I still need to figure out this blog thing, so please excuse the mess I am making of this page.