Finished April Square Crochet-a-long

This is my square for 2012-April Food & Fiber CAL. It is called Manny Ann's Square by Kimberly Biberstein

Also...some news about my little baby cocoon...

This is crazy...I went to visit my friend Cindy in the hospital, (she has Brain Cancer), and her sister was there. I always bring my show and tell items I've made because she is a crocheter, yarn junkie, and knitter too. When I showed them the Baby Cocoon her sister said "I need some of those do you sell them?" I said "oh no I just made this one for my grand daughter." She said she would give me $25 for it. I said, "Deal". I figured I have plenty of time to make one for Baby Emma and so I ordered some more yarn in pink with the money from selling that cocoon! Pretty cool, huh! They just went nuts over that thing. Of course with that yarn, (Red Heart Buttercup Yarn) is very soft and snuggly.

Oh well...That's it for now. I have to get back to my Spring Cleaning. I'm not getting much crocheting done on my "vacation" but wow...my kitchen is shining. I even moved out the stove and refrigerator and cleaned underneath them. Yuck! Well, what can I say. Baby Emma has motivated me to have a spotless house. I was so surprised how dirty everything was in there. Now I have to keep it this way until August! Uggh! This could definitely

cut into my crocheting time. Oh well, it will be worth it!

Happy Easter Everyone!!

Crochet Books and a few CAL Blocks

Crochet so Fine by Kristin Omdahl

this book has been on my wishlist and I finally got it. I am going to try some of these beautiful designs this summer. Wish me luck!

This shawl is called the Butterfly Shawl...don't you just love the lacy design and the strip in the middle looks like butterflies.

Diamonds shawl...

Another book I've had for a while has everything Crochet. I recommend the Encyclopedia of Crochet by Donna Kooler for anyone that crochets. From the beginner to the pro crocheter this book has everything you need to know to design all phases of crochet.

Lap of Luxury afghan teaches the beginner about using multiple colors.

And when you are a pro...(I'm not there yet) you can make this beautiful Philosopher's Coat. This is the front...

This is the back...isn't it the most gorgeous thing you have ever seen???

And there is everything in between...scalloped edgings...

Tons of stitches I've never heard of but am dying to try...

This is my March 12" 2012 Crochet a Block a Month Crochet a long on Ravelry. I had to take a picture at this point because I thought it would make such  pretty potholder...

And here it is all done. Don't you think it's perfect for St. Patrick's Day??

and the close up of my square...

This is the 6" square for this month's CBAM CAL.

Well, that's it for today. Thank you for all of you kind comments. I do appreciate them.You all have a great weekend and Happy St. Patrick's Day and

Happy Crocheting!!

New Yarn and New Projects!

I have been so busy! Here is some of my new yarn for some new projects...

First up...Red Heart Buttercup Yarn for a baby Cocoon and Hat

Next up...Stitch Nation Bamboo Ewe in Mercury for the Sidewalk Shawl

I have lots more new yarn just not enough time to photograph! Now..New Projects I've been working on.

First up...A new Ripple Baby Blanket made with Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn.  This is a wonderful soft and thick yarn. It's almost cushiony it's so thick. I ran out of the yellow and white so I have to get some more to finish. I am using my own Ripple pattern for this one.

Here is a close up so you can see the wonderful texture and thickness to this yarn!

My next project is a beautiful One Skein Summer Shawl using Caron One Pound yarn in Soft Sage. The pics don't do justice to this color. I love the pattern of this shawl. Very easy and luscious laciness!

Close up of the lacy stitch pattern...

Now I have a Tah Dah! I finished my Amazing Cowl in Ruby...

 I love the Lion Brand Amazing Yarn and the easy pattern using single crochet in the back loops makes nice ridges so it looks Knitted!

I'm not done yet.. I know... I shouldn't wait so long to post. It makes for a long and boring blog..so sorry. I will try to post more often. 


Anyway... last but not least I have finally figured out what to do with my Granny a Day Cal Squares...

I added 3-rows of white...

...it makes it a bigger square! So I am going to finish 24 of them with the white and make an afghan! I think it will look lovely. I just need to add the white to 4 more squares and I can figure out the layout for it and start joining them. What do yo think? Do you like it with white?

That's all for today!


Happy Crocheting everyone!

Update on my Crochet-A-Longs

Here is an update on my CALs...

This first one is the February Block for the Food & Fiber CAL.

This one is the 6" block for the CBAM February 2012 CAL on Ravelry...

My Granny Squares for the Granny a Day 2012 CAL. I haven't done one every day, more like every couple of days! I have quite a few though. Not sure what I am doing with them yet. I'm still experimenting with the square and colors. Not sure if I like the single crochet around the regular grannies or if I like the green added in the other squares??

And last but not least...the CBAM Filler square...A little Valentine Love!

Happy Crocheting!

Crochet Ripple and Granny Update

Here is what I've been doing...

2012 A Granny A Day...yes I know...there is only 12 and this is the 17th day but...I ran out of Vanna's Choice -Brick...so I went to my local Michael's store, (where I bought the Brick and Mustard a while back) and guess what?? They don't carry the Brick anymore!! UGGHHH! Why do they do that? This was my first time buying Vanna's Choice and I loved the Mustard and
Brick together. I made a pincushion with it and this was leftover from that. I thought I would start with these because I knew I could buy more as needed. WRONG! So...These squares will be a Pillow Top. I'm not really thrilled with yarn anyway, it splits really bad it not worth the price. I am disappointed in my Michael's and Lion Brand for making a cheap yarn.

Well... enough whining for one day... now on to my 12" January Crochet Block a Month!

I went back to my trusty Caron Simply Soft, which I used for my giant granny blanket. This is the first 12" square for this CAL! I love this pattern, I had made this before when I did the A Square a Day in May last year and it is a great pattern.

Now, this square was a "Filler" square option. I made this because I had made the above square and still had time left in the month to make this "Filler" square to fill the time before the February squares are announce.

I enjoyed making this one and it had great pattern instructions so it was easy to follow. Kind of fun too!

And of course my progress on my Rainbow Ripple blanket...

It is getting bigger! I'm going to be so sad when it is done. This had been the most relaxing and satisfying blanket I have every made. The colors keep me interested and the pattern and yarn just flow together so easily. It's going by fast and I will be sad when it is done...:( Crazy...I know.

Thank you for all you kind comments on my posts. I really do appreciate it. You all keep me going on my projects and inspire me.

This is where I'm hooking up this week!

I Won and Grannies and Ripples Oh My!!

I am so excited to show you what I won from Debi at Dly's Hooks and Yarn. She had a Giveaway and I won. Yay! Thank you so much Debi!!! 

Debi is always so generous...sharing patterns, commenting on blogs, etc. If you haven't been to her blog you must go there and check out her lovely posts. 

Well... here it is...

Three Purse Handles and I needed these! I made a purse in 2010 and never got handles for it. Now I will have a Tah Dah soon showing you my new purse! 

And this sweet little note from Debi!

Thank you Debi!!

Now for more reveals...

My first square from the Crochet a Block a Month CAL I joined. This one is called 16 Circles. This is January's 6" block. I have to say this was a very hard pattern to follow but...I beat it by not reading the instructions and looking at the pictures. Not for beginners for sure. I need to block it so some of the circles don't look so wonky! Lol!

Here is the 12" square for the CBAM  CAL  for January. This one is called More V's Please on Ravelry.

Now...I should have 8 grannies done for the Granny a Day 2012 CAL well, I only have three...but that's okay, I am doing what I can and I will still have a lot of grannies at then end of the year!

And last but certainly not least...I have made some progress on my Rainbow Ripple! I love this yarn and working on this is very smooth and satisfying. The StyleCraft DK yarn is a dream, so light and NEVER SPLITS! The colors are yummy and it is very peaceful to work on.

Well, that's it for today. I hope you all have a great week and Happy Crocheting!

Where I'm Hooking up this week!