The Flying Hook

I know, I've neglected my blog. So much going on, that I tend NOT to sit at my computer too much at home. (well, checking e-mails and such, but not much else.) So, let's see if I can update some of what has been helping me de-stash my yarn stash.

In September, an afghan was started for a friend at church. It was finally finished last week. If it would have been worked on with no other crochet interruptions, my friend would have had it sooner. Seems as if I had Crochet ADD. lol

I needed something to keep my hands warm at work. They always keep it too cool for my comfort. These fingerless mitts were perfect. And so easy to make. The pattern is from Interweave Crochet (Fall 2009) and the pattern name is Orchard Mitts. (BTW - this year, work has turned up the heat, so no need for them at work. But they keep my hands warm while driving to work)

This past Oct, while at the Women of Faith Conference in Tampa, my friends and I scouted out the stores at the local mall. My friend found a scarf which she fell in love with. "Oh, I bet Jana can make one of these!!" Luckily her birthday was soon, so this is what I found to make for her.

Let's see, what else. Oh! This same friend gave me (for my b-day) a Crochet Today magazine. Of which these were from. Made a set of 6 for another friend's housewarming gift. Now, hubby wants a set.

On the hook right now is this afghan (for my niece's wedding present). I started it about 3 days ago and am almost done. (no work at all this week. Lots of time to crochet).

Sadly, not much has been done for CFAC these past few months. I've had to play catch up on personal projects. But with all of these other projects now getting finished up, I'll have more time to play with the yo yos which have been accumulating.

Happy Birthday CFAC!!!

Crafting for a Cause turned 5 years old in July. Hard to believe that when I joined in 2005 there were 12 members. We are now close to 250!!! And all the hands working together are doing so much to warm the hearts and bodies of so many. Come check us out. We would love to have your hands too.

To celebrate, CFAC has asked the members to each make one hat or scarf to send to one of our causes on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. As of last count, 77 items had been made and sent. Isn't this awesome?!?!?!? My hook and yarn produced 4 scarves and 3 hats.

And one more yo yo ghan made out of the double yo yos has been put together. These go really fast. I am behind on making yo yoghans using the single yo yos, so this week I have been concentrating on making more squares using the single ones. Working on the 4th square now.

If you are looking for a yummy, unique gift to send to that special someone, try out Mini Menagerie Cakes. Cheese cakes, specialty cakes and tarts are what is on her menu. And oh, so delicious!! She even sells gift baskets full of these super yummy treats.

Until next time....Happy Crafting!!!!!

WIM's from the last post

Here is how the WIM's from my last post have turned out -
Book Thongs - I bought the beads needed to make these. A BIG container from Micheals with hundreds of beads of all different sizes. So far 2, yes TWO, book thongs have been made. That big container still contains lots and lots of beads.
Drawstring Beach Bag - I showed Sue (my friend and designer of the bag) the crochet cotton I wanted to use for this bag. It was what was left over from a pounder of Bernat Handicrafter. Both of us thought, yeah, this will be enough to make the bag. NOT!!! I am halfway thru and, yes, you guessed it, I ran out. To top it off, they no longer make the colorway I am using (blue grass). I even e-mailed my fav on line yarn store (where I bought it from) to see if she had any lying around. Another big NOT!! Sue lives near a Micheals and a JoAnns and pretty much inhabits on a weekly basis. (Me? I live in the boonies and have to trek 45 min in any direction to get yarn.) She thinks she found a colorway close to what I ran out of. Until I see her again, this project is hibernating.
Now for the Cocoon - What a fun, quick project! And it would have worked had my daughter not delivered a whopper of a baby. I even made the version needed for a larger newborn. Yeah right. Well, we did wait til the baby was a month old to have pics taken. But even so....He is a moose - he will be 6 weeks this week and he weighs in at 14 pounds!! Needless to say, he just wouldn't fit. I gave the cocoon to my friend (part time baby photographer). She can use it for normal, small babies. Or as a hat for herself. Yes, she put it on her head and it made a cute slouchy hat. lol
I finished the afghan for our couch. Will post pics once I take some. A few more dischcloths have been made. For who? One for my daughter and the others possibly for my SIL. Her and my brother just moved and thought this would make a nice, small housewarming gift. (my brother says she has too much stuff, lol)
A bunch of double yo yos have been mailed to me and these will be assembled to make another yo yo ghan. And I also have the yarn ready to go for an afghan pattern that a friend from Ravelry mailed to me. But I am not feeling overwhelmed with all this right now. This a good thing, right?
Enough rambling. Time to get my behind in gear. 7:15 a.m. - church is at 9. And I still have to get Aubrey out of bed and ready besides getting myself ready. Hope everyone has a wonderful, blessed day!!!

Yarn, Crochet Hooks and Patterns

Getting that feeling again of having too many projects on my plate - or should I say "on my hooks". Trying to finish a balero for my daughter. The back and left side are done, just need to do the the right side and the sleeves. The pattern is pretty easy, but I always seem to pick up something else to work on. Like an afghan, or maybe a coaster or two - dishcloths, chapstick holders....
Oh, my little grandson arrived on May 17th!! A whopping 9 lbs 11 ozs!!! Even the dr was suprised at his weight. All are healthy and the happy family is home adjusting to all the newness. My granddaughter has picked up her roll as the big sister. She loves it.
Going yarn shopping today with my Crochetville friend, Sue (aka TurtleLvr). We always have so much fun - and she always throws extra yarn in my cart!! I swear..I go in with a simple little list and walk out with bags of extras. lol Guess that overwhelming feeling will continue to haunt me. I have my list of what I need to comple more WIM's - like book thongs, a drawsting beach bag (pattern by Sue), a baby cocoon (for baby pics of my newest little angel). Yikes!! Guess I should get off this puter and crochet a bit before I leave for our yarn excursion.

Time Flies by....

How can it be April already! It isn't possible!! Only 3 more weeks and my daughter should be holding her little son in her arms (and she better pass him onto me too!!) One baby afghan has been completed and she will receive it tomorrow. A second one is being made for the other grandma to have.

This is her 1st grandchild. Boy, do I remember that excitement. Not saying that the second time around isn't exciting too. Trust me, it is VERY exciting!

One more yo yoghan has been almost wrapped up. Just the dreaded ends need tying in. It gets worked on between the baby afghan, home work, regular work and house work.

What do you think of of this pic?

It was taken last week after the Shuttle went up and the upper winds swoooshed around the trail of smoke it left. I watched it light up the morning sky before heading to work. It was spectacular! The sky was so clear you could see it forever and ever and ever! And with the sky being so clear, the roar and shaking of the windows lasted longer than normal. I am going to miss the rumble and views once this fabulous "aircraft" is retired. Oh, I how I wish this weren't happening. What about all those little tots and teenagers who have dreams of becoming astronauts and exploring space and other worlds. This is a true tradgedy.

Good Bye 2009

Hello 2010!!! And as with every new year, there are so many WIM's floating around the house. Well, with Rav, I guess you could say they are all floating around in my que.

The table runner was finished with time to spare and really set off the kitchen table. No crochet projects were made for Christmas presents this year, so there was no stumbling over my fingers to finish projects on time. This made for a mostly relaxing pre-holiday.

Another tulipghan is on the hook. This one will be for a Breast Cancer charity auction put on by my cousin and her team (Team Cowgirls).

And I am also working on the Alpine Lace Scarf using the finest yarn I have ever used before. Fine as in the quality and the thinness. Jaggerspun Zephyr Wool-Silk. Have a feeling it won't get finished until next winter. Oh well. Told my daughter I will make one for her also - for next Christmas.

Off to do the household chores that never got done during my week off. Back to work tomorrow. UGH!!! Oh, and I signed up for a college class this term. Time away from crochet, but it will be worth it. Tah tah and Happy New Year to you all!