Happy Friday

I am so happy today is Friday (even though I know I have a very busy weekend). For starters, let me first wish you all a Happy New Year. The last time I posted was in 2008. I owe you all a few pictures and promise to put some up now and more later.

This weekend we will celebrate Z's 3rd birthday and of course mommy is make the cake (pray that it comes out great). After her 1st birthday, I promised her father that we would not have another "BIG" party until she turned 5. So with that in mind, I had to plan something fun and exciting, and inexspensive. Good thing I am creative.

The Theme: Crayola Coloring

I purchased most of the stuff (decorations) from one of our local dollar stores (I was actually shocked to see that they had matching pieces). Her father decided that we would serve finger sandwiches and chips (keeping in mind that the party is for the little ones NOT the adults). For the cake, I remembered seeing a giant cupcake pan in Michael's while I was working and thought that would be cute. So, I went a purchased one. The giant cupcake will have little friends to go along with it. Hoodies cups and it's a party. Of course I had to do something for the lootbags so I looked around for colorful stuff that was around $1. (This is where I blow the budget.) Sorry D. The most expensive item in the bag was the 8 pack of jumbo washable crayons ($2.83/pack). I only purchased 6, everyone else will get the normal 8 pack.

Wish me luck.

Almost forgot my crochet project. My sister is totally in love with these Slouch Hats that everyone is wearing so I made her one and now she wants more in different colors. I spent some time searching the net for patterns and only came up with 3 or 4. So I thought maybe I could get her to try a beret (same thing right? WRONG.) She hated it. I think it's cute but maybe for my aunt (older lady). Here it is.

Keep Hooking.

Quick Update

Hey Fellow Bloggers...

Real quick. I traveled to Dover, Delaware this weekend for the 1st District YPD Meeting (AME Church). So, of course I planned on bringing my hooks and yarn problem was, I didn't actually pack until 3 am Friday morning (leaving at 4:45). So what is a girl to do? You got it. Grab enough yarn to complete the current work in progress. So I did. I was working on a granny square poncho (was suppose to be completed before the trip so the director and I could wear them while there). Green and white yarn in bag, hooks in bag. Off we go. Here's the completed poncho.














I know, a little big. I told her that I would work some decrease rows around the top so it would be a little tighter. What do you think???

The plus to this project is that people actually loved it. Someone said, "Oh girl, way to bring crochet back." I received a few orders so I will be crochet green and white ponchos for the rest of the week. Of course, I am still working on hats and scarves.

Crochet Update

Crocheting is my passion!!! Just in case you didn't know yet. Last weekend I thought I was going to crochet my life away, but I didn't. Actually, I didn't work on anything. Of course, I had more thoughts of projects I should start...but they were just thoughts. So, here's a quick update of what's on my hooks. Yes, that's right, I am working on more than one project. I always wondered how people did this and now I will find out.

1. My Light 'N Lively Tank is still coming along. I think I need to purchase more yarn to complete it.

2. My Godson's (arriving sometime in August) blankie. I know I said it would be cute to do something with duckies and water but I don't think his mommy will use it so instead a baby blue ripple was started. I have made ripples before but this time I am making a ribbed ripple. I know big change...all you do is work in the back row instead...

3. Squares for Lesa.

That's it for my crochet projects but I think that is good for right now.

Even though today is Wednesday, here's my plans for the weekend...

Thursday (vacation day from work)
Do my errands
Clean house
Prep for the 4th (includes packing the arts and crafts, making potato salad and baked beans)

Friday (4th of July)
Familly cookout at Grandma's

Saturday
Hanging out with Juwan (maybe we will go to the movies again). We saw Kungfu Panda last weekend and it was pretty good. I am still in awe of how wonderfully animated the fight scences were.
CROCHETING!!!

Sunday
Church
CROCHETING!!!

Happy 4th of July to all.

Weekend Plans...

Okay, so I just read one of the many blogs that I frequent (Lesalicious) and decided that I will spend much of the weekend working on my tank and some 6 inch squares for Lesa's little girl. Lesa I am so sorry that you and your little one are going through so much. I will make some squares and get them in the mail to you ASAP. I will also be sending up some prayers for you and your family. Stay strong.

Write Later...

Crochet World...

Good Day All.

It's been a little while since I last wrote so here it goes.

Light 'N Lively Tank: It's been a process but it is coming together nicely. Last week I had to frog a bit of it. Last night I worked on it for about two hours (with the interruptions of the little ones). So here's a picture of what it looked like when I frogged it last week.

So far...so good. I like it. :)

Here's what it looks like now (2 shots)...

You can see the progress and it's starting to flow nicely. I don't necessarily like the fact that I can see the increases but I still like the pattern. I want to wear this for the 4th of July so I can show off my crochet skills. :) With that said, back to work again tonight....

As for the baby blanket...I haven't given it much thought at all. Laura had a great suggestion that was very similar to my thoughts (rubber ducky squares). See previous comment section to see what she said. The only thing stopping me is the fact that I can't find a pattern to work from for the duck. :( I am not giving up just yet. I work on something this week. If anyone knows where I can find a pattern (for a simple duck - cross stitch), please let me know.

Some non-crochet news...

I tried this http://craftychristina.blogspot.com/2008/04/empanadas.html on Tuesday night (for the Celtics game). Which reminds me...GO CELTICS!!! I am sure my grandfather would have been proud. Anyway, Christina, the empanadas were great but I think I was missing something. My flavor was a little bland or maybe it was the ground turkey... Not to worry, I am trying them again this weekend.

Talk to you all soon...

Crochet Survey

A while ago, Lesa had a survey on her blog and I meant to post my responses here. So, here it goes...

1) What crochet hook size do you find yourself working with the most without even thinking about it you find yourself picking up the most?
H - hook

2) What is your favorite thing to crochet the most?
Right now, I love to make afghans from charts (thanks to CrochetKim)

3) What would you like to crochet that you never crochet before?
Something that I can wear - a sweater, tank, cardigan, wrap, shawl; you name it, I want to make it LOL

4) Do you think you will pass down your love of crocheting down to your kids/nieces or sisters?
I hope so. I have a few girls who have tried it but haven’t stuck with it.

5) What is the craziest thing you ever heard someone say to you about you crocheting?
I thought old people did that. OR My mother used to do that when I was little (the majority of these people are way older than I am).

Newsboy Weekend

Success is so sweet. This weekend, I made it my business to master that Newsboy hat pattern that I failed at the weekend before. Well, I did it...and I did it so well that I have made a total of six of them. I wore my black one to work yesterday and everyone loved it. Two people requested that I make a few for them. My girlfriend, the one who inspired me to make the hat in the first place, tried the hat on and it was a little big for her so last night, I made another one for her to try on. I am taking it over to her today to make sure it fits. She wants one in cream (made last night), chocolate brown (on the hook now), navy, and red (need to find the right color red for her). So, off I go to crochet the Newsboy hat (6 more to go). Here's me modeling mine. Enjoy!!!

Unproductive

So this weekend did not go as I would have liked. I did crochet for a while on Monday but none of the products came out like I thought they would. I think I am a pretty good crocheter (advanced beginner) but for some reason, I couldn't get the pattern to work for me. Good thing the designer was/is willing to help me. Oh yeah, the project that I spent all day working on was a newsboy cap. Let's just say, I haven't given up just yet. I know the problem for me is that I have never worked with a Q hook. This thing is so big and bulky. I worked the pattern three times so far and each time, I get closer to what I want the hat to look like. As for the Side to Side Cowl Neck sweater...I will get to it ( I had a change of heart regarding the yarn choice).

SCHOOL UPDATE
As you all know, I fell behind in my English 101 class in the fall. After the deaths of my son's father and my stepfather, I just couldn't get back on track. I took an INC and now I am trying to complete the work. I spent some time today organizing my work and I am focused and ready to get started again. I will keep you all posted.

I also took so before pictures to show you all of the soon to be craft space. I will post them in the morning. I promise. Just know that the space is a little bit of a mess right now.

After vowing not to waste any more time on HIM, he finally called (in the middle of the night) and asked me to come get him. Of course he didn't call until Saturday/Sunday but at least he called...Have I mentioned, I LOVE HIM!!!

Peace and blessings...

Love

Hello All...
Have you ever know someone forever and no matter what whenever you see that person you get butterflies in your stomach? Ever wonder why??? Well, I believe I found the reason. Your IN LOVE with that person. How did I come to this conclusion? Well, it happens to me every time I see HIM. I can't tell you who HIM is but I am sure one day you will know. I've know HIM for a long time and he has always had a special place in my heart but I never knew it was like this. I thank God for HIM and I pray that God works out every issue he is dealing with right now.

Enough about HIM (this is what we will call him). LOL

Onto crochet. What have I been working on. Now that I am all settled in the new place, I am working on the Side to Side Cowl Neck sweater from LionBrand (for me). Yesterday I received an order for a baby blanket (baby boy) so that needs to be completed by next week. I choose the pattern and brought the yarn with me to work today. Let's hope I get to take my lunch today so I can start it. Oh yea...I need a scarf to match the hat I made myself when winter started. Did you know it is supposed to be 19 degrees this weekend? And that's the high.

Keep safe and warm.

Peace for now.

Christmas is a coming...

I can't even believe I am saying this but...Christmas is a coming (and it's coming quick). Back in August, I decided that I would make every child on our Christmas list a personalized lapghan (small version of an afghan). I created all of the graphs (this took a while), researched the yarn colors, and even made the center mats for three of them (see previous post). You are probably wondering how many of these lapghans I am making...12. Yep I said it a dozen of these personalized lapghans. Why didn't someone stop me??? Now, I am going crazy trying to catch up with my schoolwork (at least two weeks behind), and trying to make time to crochet. If nothing else gets done before Christmas, I promise I will get these lapghans done for the kids. Christmas is really for the kids anyways. Right???

By the way, I sold my first complete set. Of course, I forgot to take a final picture of the whole thing, but I can tell you the buyer loved it.

Signing off for now.

Baby Set (Partial)

As promised...Here's a picture of the compeleted baby set (so far). Tonight, I plan on making the booties and starting the blankie. Look out...I am on a roll. Maybe I will get some work done on all my Christmas gifts too.

Christmas Gifts Underway

WOW!!! I didn't think I would like this blogging thing, but now I can't stop. Over the summer, I decided that I would make Personalized Afghans for all of the children on our Christmas list (twelve in all). As you can see, I started the process, but I haven't even looked at my graphs in over a month. Maybe this weekend, between homework and taking care of my little ones, I'll start the next one. Here's some pictures of the completed mats. Thanks to CrochetKim (she created the pattern I am using).

A Few Crocheted Items

So, I entered the poncho craze last month (fall is quickly approaching) and here's what I accomplished.

I started one for me too (I will post pictures soon).