My Little Handbag

Didn't know just what this was going to be when I started it.  I just grabbed my 4 balls of Lily Sugar 'n Cream cotton and a crochet hook and started stitching, 2 strands at a time.  I started with a circle and in no time, this little tote had evolved, needing only some form of closure.  SO, a couple of days later (when I finally got to make a Michael's run), I crocheted the flower and attached it with the button.  I had bought the ribbon on clearance a couple of months ago and decided it would make a cute addition to this project.  All in all, I am pretty happy with this little handbag, and I think I'm going to get some different colors of cotton and make more.

Still Playing with Needles!

The last time I posted, I was working on a little green Easter bunny for our baby grandson, Miles.  I finished the knitting part, but once I started sewing, I wasn't happy with the way it was turning out - SO, I switched gears!  Instead, I crocheted him a little white chenille "bunny blanket buddy", with which I am happier -  and it's SO soft and cuddly!

Since then, I have also made my first knitted doily, thanks to designer Linda, a.k.a. "tinyknit" for a good starter pattern and encouraging words.  :)  She has STUNNING designs featured on her website, http://www.tinyknit.com/.

On impulse last weekend, I crocheted a piggy for my teen daughter's friend.  She had seen them in one of my crochet pattern books and asked if I could make her one, so I dug in my stash and a piggy was born!  Mine is bigger than the ones in the book, since I used chunky weight yarn rather than medium worsted, but I think every bit as cute.  Very quick little project, and it's always a joy to see someone appreciate something you've made.

On that note, I have also made a couple more baby hats to be sent to a NICU unit, and a little pet blanket/mat to be sent to an animal shelter in Iowa as part of the Snuggles Project. 

So, I've kept my fingers flying every chance I've had, and I guess I've managed to complete quite a few little projects.  Whatever will I start on next?????
  Until next time, Scamp (pictured above) and I are wishing you lots of sunshine and happy stitching!

For the Baby...

Started on an Easter bunny for my grandson, Miles, last night.  I'm using green Bernat Cottontots yarn to match his camo room, and I'm planning to incorporate a rattle inside (he is 5 mos old).  Should be a fun project!

1940's crocheted baby booties I found at Mar-tique's Antique Shop in San Angelo, TX the weekend before last.

 Preemie Hat I finished yesterday.  Knitted with crocheted trim and flower.  I used Caron Simply Soft in Plum Wine.

  

New Stuff!

OK, so the yarn store trip last weekend was a bust, since they had just closed by the time we pulled into town.  However, we did find a big, wonderful antique shop to browse, and I left with 3 pairs of baby booties that had been crocheted in the 1940s!  HOW COOL IS THAT??? Very, I say.  From there we found the Hobby Lobby, where I snagged some crochet thread and hooks to try my hand at replicating the booties I had just acquired, as well as some nylon thread for future crochet tote bags (it was on sale) - OH! and 3 new sets of 5 dpns (also on sale).  Since that day, I discovered that Abilene has a Tuesday Morning discount store, and there I bought 2 wonderful knitting books and a book of crochet textures/stitches...  then on to Hastings where I bought yet another knitting book which I love, Heirloom Knits.  In the mail this week, I received a package of 25 tiny little silver hand charms that say "Hand Made" on them;  I plan to sew one on each of my handmade items that I give away or sell.  Also in the mail this week, a skein of Kollage Hope organic cotton yarn, worsted weight.  Haven't decided what it's going to become, yet, maybe a bag.  So, lots of new goodies to play with...  pics soon.

GIRLS DAY OUT!!!

I just discovered there is a yarn shop about 75 miles from here and they are having a sale!  It's time my girls and I took a little road trip! :)

What I'm Stitching...

I am currently working on a pair of fingerless mittens Susie's Reading Mitts that were supposed to be a weekend project 2 WEEKENDS AGO!  Anyway, I am almost halfway through the second one, hope to finish it today.  They are just for me.

Also on the needles, my ongoing project, a shawl/wrap for my mother.  I got the lace pattern from a pattern for fingerless mitts.  I am using I LOVE THIS YARN! (Hobby Lobby) in Country Blue, which is very pretty and soft.  I think it will be nice and cozy for Mom during the cold Ohio winter.  I am hoping to finish it as a Christmas gift.
Mom's Shawl

I have recently become interested in the idea of making accessories to sell.  I'm thinking of opening an Etsy shop, renting a space at a local craft mall, and maybe even trying some shows.  I have lots of ideas in mind, and I have kind of thought that I would spend this year working on developing a line of products, then maybe starting to sell next year.  However, the lady I spoke to at the craft mall said that the holiday season is the best time to sell (of course) and since the spaces rent for 6 mos at a time, I should really try to get one by July 1st.  The line of products I'm thinking of is based on a beach theme and there's no way I could have enough ready to go by then;  but I'm tossing around the idea of whipping up some Christmas ornaments and the like for this year.  Hmmmmm....  what to do, what to do?

"Life is a pure flame, and we live by an invisible sun within us."  ~Sir Thomas Brown