Yay! I did it! I started and finished Week 3 before Week 4 begins. Woohoo! It really is the little things sometimes, isn't it?
So, Week 3 is: Celebrate the First Day of Spring (March 20, 2014) by Crocheting a Flower, or Make a Project that has a Flower Motif or Theme. Well, it sure doesn't feel like spring in my neck of the woods. Today it's snowing. Really not my idea of a good time, but least the roads are clear...for now anyway.
There are so many gorgeous patterns for flowers out there that I debated for a bit on how I wanted to proceed with this week's challenge. A couple weeks ago I checked out the book, 75 Floral Blocks to Crochet : Beautiful Patterns to Mix and Match for Afghans, Throws, Baby Blankets, and More by Betty Barnden from the library, and let me tell you it's worth looking at! With every page turn, it was, "Oooh, I love this!" I'm really not one for buying books, especially when there are so many free patterns online, but I think having this book in my crochet library would be a welcome addition. So many project possibilities! Where would I start? Truthfully, I forgot all about the book until now *sigh*.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Friday, March 21, 2014
Thankful Thursday
Yes, it's Friday, and this post is titled "Thankful Thursday", but it's been quite a week!
Daughter #2 broke her toe on Monday. She and #1 Son were playing kickball in the basement, and actually getting along - something I relish with a happy mom's heart, because it seems few and far between these days! They're 12 and 14, and are complete opposites in many ways. Plus, they can't help but pick on each other...EVERY DAY it feels like! But I digress. Daughter #2 went to kick the ball and missed, kicking the back of #1 Son's leg. She couldn't put any pressure on her foot, couldn't stand or walk Monday afternoon, so we iced, elevated and Motrined (yes, that is a word, as of right now) the rest of the day. She still couldn't bear weight Tuesday morning, so off to the walk-in clinic we went. I didn't even try her regular pediatrician, knowing that if she needed x-rays we'd be sent somewhere else anyway. After three hours at the walk-in clinic, the results came back - fractured 4th right toe at the growth plate. Great! We were fortunate enough to get an appointment with the orthopedic doctor that afternoon, and after almost three hours there Daughter #2 had a beautiful, multi-colored blue/pink/yellow cast.
Daughter #2 broke her toe on Monday. She and #1 Son were playing kickball in the basement, and actually getting along - something I relish with a happy mom's heart, because it seems few and far between these days! They're 12 and 14, and are complete opposites in many ways. Plus, they can't help but pick on each other...EVERY DAY it feels like! But I digress. Daughter #2 went to kick the ball and missed, kicking the back of #1 Son's leg. She couldn't put any pressure on her foot, couldn't stand or walk Monday afternoon, so we iced, elevated and Motrined (yes, that is a word, as of right now) the rest of the day. She still couldn't bear weight Tuesday morning, so off to the walk-in clinic we went. I didn't even try her regular pediatrician, knowing that if she needed x-rays we'd be sent somewhere else anyway. After three hours at the walk-in clinic, the results came back - fractured 4th right toe at the growth plate. Great! We were fortunate enough to get an appointment with the orthopedic doctor that afternoon, and after almost three hours there Daughter #2 had a beautiful, multi-colored blue/pink/yellow cast.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
A Project from the Heart - The Boston Marathon Scarf Project
National Crochet Month...what a great excuse to do more crochet - like I need an excuse, right? I've been busy keeping up with my CALs, and I've added some new projects to my queue, which I'll share with you soon! I can't seem to help myself really. The are so many great things out there to make, and so many great people to make them for. One of my newest editions: the Old South Church Scarves for Boston Marathon Runners.
I am a helper, I always have been. So when something comes along that pulls at my heartstrings, I'm all over it. Such is the case with the scarf project. The Old South Church, in honor and rememberance of those lost at last year's Boston Marathon, started a project to collect knitted and crocheted scarves to "wrap each runner in love". On Easter Sunday, the Old South Church will hold a Blessing of the Athletes during their morning services (which they have done since 2008) and present a scarf to each runner present. I can't think of a better way to show my support and prayer for safety and strength than by something homemade from the heart.
I decided to use Red Heart Super Saver in #324 Bright Yellow and #385 Royal for my scarf. I did a simple ribbed pattern of double crochet, alternating five rows royal, three rows yellow, two rows royal, three rows yellow, and finishing up with five rows royal. I had a TON of ends to weave in, since I didn't do it as I went along, which was very time consuming. I think it turned out great though, if I do say so myself, and I hope it will bring a smile to a runner's face.
I am a helper, I always have been. So when something comes along that pulls at my heartstrings, I'm all over it. Such is the case with the scarf project. The Old South Church, in honor and rememberance of those lost at last year's Boston Marathon, started a project to collect knitted and crocheted scarves to "wrap each runner in love". On Easter Sunday, the Old South Church will hold a Blessing of the Athletes during their morning services (which they have done since 2008) and present a scarf to each runner present. I can't think of a better way to show my support and prayer for safety and strength than by something homemade from the heart.
I decided to use Red Heart Super Saver in #324 Bright Yellow and #385 Royal for my scarf. I did a simple ribbed pattern of double crochet, alternating five rows royal, three rows yellow, two rows royal, three rows yellow, and finishing up with five rows royal. I had a TON of ends to weave in, since I didn't do it as I went along, which was very time consuming. I think it turned out great though, if I do say so myself, and I hope it will bring a smile to a runner's face.
Wouldn't you like to make a scarf to bless a runner in this year's Boston Marathon? Check out the Old South Church facebook page, the Ravelry group Boston Marathon Scarf Project, or the church website for more information.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
March is National Crochet Month. Who Knew??
Ok, LOTS of people probably realized that March is National Crochet Month, but not me! Thanks to Julie at Red Berry Crochet for creating the 52 Week Crochet Challenge in honor of National Crochet Month, and making me aware of the awesomeness of the month! Now I'm in the know.
Each week, there is a new challenge - from learning a new stitch to organizing your stash. She's also created a Ravelry group to help us keep it all together. You can find it here. So far I've met a great bunch of ladies that I look forward to getting to know better as this challenge goes along. You can follow their blogs from the links on the right under the "Are You Ready? Crochet Challenge" logo. Or join the group at Ravelry, which is a really cool knitting and crocheting site, by the way. You should check it out if you haven't already!
So what was the Week 1 Challenge? How do you celebrate National Crochet Month? Well, since I didn't know there was such a thing, just finding out about it was a good start, right? I also decided that I would try and crochet at least a little each day this month, and do better updating this blog. Yeah, I know...I'm a little late getting around to posting this and we're already 13 days into the month, so I'm not doing so well with goal #2 at this point. There's still half a month left though, and there's always room for improvement so I'm hopeful. As far as goal #1 is concerned, I've been able to keep up with that fairly well. I use time duing my lunch hour to keep my hooks moving, and in the evening while watching TV. I should say listening, because I have to keep an eye on the yarn and stitch count or else I end up with really strange looking objects!
As for Week 2? Start a crochet notebook, journal, scrapbook, or blog. Check! Woohoo! Got week 2 covered already. I did actually start a “Current Crochet Projects” binder last week. No, I didn't cheat by looking ahead either. It's a bright, pretty pink binder because white was just too boring for a notebook full of beautiful crochet projects. Plus, I'm a girl and I like pink! Don't judge. Anyway, I was getting confused with which blocks belonged with which CALs, and trying to keep straight just how many ongoing projects I do have, so I needed something to help me along. I have a page listing project name, designer, date started, date completed, which pattern(s) is used and where it can be found (book, website, etc.), hook size, and yarn brand/name/color. I also have a printed copy of the current object pattern I’m working on, and a picture of the FO (finished object) labled with pattern name, which CAL/project it’s for, and the date. Oh, and a picture of someone else's take on the project if I like their color placement or want to use it for inspiration, etc. The projects are divided by tabs so I can keep it neat. I plan on making another binder for completed projects, and probably dividing that by type of object - blanket, scarf, hat, etc. This might be overkill, but I’ve never done it before so it will most likely be a "try it and adjust as needed" kind of thing. I think it will be a nice reminder of the time, effort and LOVE that I put into each project, and I hope to be able to see my crochet skills progress and improve over time.
Now that I'm caught up on Weeks 1 and 2, I should be ready to start Week 3 on time. Hey, it might even get it's own blog entry. You never know...
Each week, there is a new challenge - from learning a new stitch to organizing your stash. She's also created a Ravelry group to help us keep it all together. You can find it here. So far I've met a great bunch of ladies that I look forward to getting to know better as this challenge goes along. You can follow their blogs from the links on the right under the "Are You Ready? Crochet Challenge" logo. Or join the group at Ravelry, which is a really cool knitting and crocheting site, by the way. You should check it out if you haven't already!
So what was the Week 1 Challenge? How do you celebrate National Crochet Month? Well, since I didn't know there was such a thing, just finding out about it was a good start, right? I also decided that I would try and crochet at least a little each day this month, and do better updating this blog. Yeah, I know...I'm a little late getting around to posting this and we're already 13 days into the month, so I'm not doing so well with goal #2 at this point. There's still half a month left though, and there's always room for improvement so I'm hopeful. As far as goal #1 is concerned, I've been able to keep up with that fairly well. I use time duing my lunch hour to keep my hooks moving, and in the evening while watching TV. I should say listening, because I have to keep an eye on the yarn and stitch count or else I end up with really strange looking objects!
As for Week 2? Start a crochet notebook, journal, scrapbook, or blog. Check! Woohoo! Got week 2 covered already. I did actually start a “Current Crochet Projects” binder last week. No, I didn't cheat by looking ahead either. It's a bright, pretty pink binder because white was just too boring for a notebook full of beautiful crochet projects. Plus, I'm a girl and I like pink! Don't judge. Anyway, I was getting confused with which blocks belonged with which CALs, and trying to keep straight just how many ongoing projects I do have, so I needed something to help me along. I have a page listing project name, designer, date started, date completed, which pattern(s) is used and where it can be found (book, website, etc.), hook size, and yarn brand/name/color. I also have a printed copy of the current object pattern I’m working on, and a picture of the FO (finished object) labled with pattern name, which CAL/project it’s for, and the date. Oh, and a picture of someone else's take on the project if I like their color placement or want to use it for inspiration, etc. The projects are divided by tabs so I can keep it neat. I plan on making another binder for completed projects, and probably dividing that by type of object - blanket, scarf, hat, etc. This might be overkill, but I’ve never done it before so it will most likely be a "try it and adjust as needed" kind of thing. I think it will be a nice reminder of the time, effort and LOVE that I put into each project, and I hope to be able to see my crochet skills progress and improve over time.
Now that I'm caught up on Weeks 1 and 2, I should be ready to start Week 3 on time. Hey, it might even get it's own blog entry. You never know...
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