Oops I Did It Again

"I am going to finally finish a holiday project"..."Because I mentioned it on my blog I will have to finish something."...."I will not procrastinate!" Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!

I searched for days for the perfect Shamrock to make.  I had the projects all laid out.  A simple Shamrock head band.  The Shamrock was going to be about 3" square.  Three crochet chain cords would be attached to the back in order to tie the head band on.  I also wanted to make a three Shamrock necklace.  Each Shamrock would be a different size and ordered from biggest to smallest.  The biggest would sit at the center of the necklace and the other two would travel up one side.

Did I even touch the yarn or a crochet hook to make these very simple projects...no.  At about 11 o'clock the night before St. Patrick's Day, I was laying on my couch watching TV, when I looked at the clock and grumbled to myself.

I have done it again.  I have made nothing.

Get Pinched

St. Patrick's Day, March 17th...the day where everyone decides they need to drink green beer and wear green so they don't get pinched.  It sounds so strange to type that out.    We have certainly lost the meaning of this holiday.  How many people know what St. Patrick's day is about and why we do this?  Not many I would suppose, I don't or didn't.  You can read about Saint Patrick's Day here. 

I always plan on making something for the holidays to wear or display, but never plan ahead enough.  As of right now I have 2 1/2 days to make something, and on the hunt searching the Internet for a crochet pattern I like.  So far the Lion Brand Shamrock Pattern, is the only one I like.

What will this Shamrock turn into??  Maybe a simple pin, or necklace....maybe earrings, a barrette?  Hmmm, maybe that is why I never seem to finish anything before the holiday...I can never decide what to make.

The Small Things

Quick small projects help change things up when you start losing interest in larger time intensive projects.  The triangle scarf (blogged here and here), is still in the making and will be for quite some time.  It still gets worked on, but just a little at a time.  In between the work being done on the triangle scarf small quick things are getting done.

I receive a bracelet with pink and blue beads with the word peace.  I found the bracelet (please forgive me) ugly.  It was just not me.  The message and why I received it means a lot to me though, so I wanted to make something that I would wear.  Using a simple macrame square knot and hemp cord I created a new bracelet.  The other bracelet below was left over t-shirt yarn.  I braided a long cord attached a simple closure and viola, another new bracelet.

After dropping my last powder on the bathroom floor and having all of the remaining powder break and scatter on the floor, I had to buy a new one.  Make up is becoming so expensive these days it is unbelievable I still wear it.  $8 or more for most things.  I have found a 5 dollar powder that works well, but it doesn't come with a puff to put it on.  Instead I just crochet a small circle applicator out of cotton yarn.  It works well, is stylish and fits right into the powder container.

A year or so ago, I bought this skein of yarn that was really expensive, but really beautiful.  I made a hat with it and have been holding on to a small ball of left over yarn since then.  With the price I paid for it I just can't seem to let it go.  Of course this leads to a small project, an i-cord necklace.



Loving the small projects that I can produce right away and feel like I have accomplished something.

Decorate Yourself

"Without a care in the world,
she danced with Feathers in her hair."

Alright, I may have worries and stresses, but I will dance around with these feathers in my hair.  While watching American Idol, I keep noticing Steven Tyler's feathers in his hair.  I love them...and Steven Tyler. Each time I see them it brings me back to the 1980's when I was a little girl and wearing the alligator clips with feathers in my hair.  So of course, this means Sunday I went on a venture to find alligator clips, leather cord, beads and feathers. 

Everything was fairly easy to find, except for the feathers.  With it being Sunday, all of the locally owned stores were closed, so I was limited as to where I could go.  For the feathers I had to buy a cat toy that had feathers and cut them off.   With my first ones done, I now am on the hunt for more feathers and different beads.

What do you think?  Not bad for my first attempt?

Dealing with Boredom

This last Monday I underwent a minor surgery.  Unfortunately during the surgery there was a complication and I had to have exploratory surgery as well.  All this means that I am home for the week to recover.  Some people may find a week off of work to be delightful, but I have had too many days off in the last month and a half that I am tired of it.  Plus I am not able to do a lot of things and pretty much stuck on the couch.  Should I also mention that daytime television stinks!

Good thing my hobby is crafts!  My latest creation a granny square bag.

The bag is not my idea.  I found the idea on Raverly, an online community of knitters, crocheters and spinners.  With a general idea of how to construct the purse, I did the rest of the design as I went.  It was a really easy bag to make.  All I did was create three granny squares and seam them together.  The strap was made by braiding 18 strands of t-shirt yarn and knotting the ends.  Easy.  The entire bag was created in about 3 hours.  I am still trying to decide if I want to sew in a liner to prevent smaller objects from falling out, but until then the bag works great.

Harvest

Beautiful, beautiful herbs!  For Christmas I received an AeroGarden and two different seed packets, an herb assortment and tomatoes.  I decided to start the herbs first, as I figured they would be easier to maintain than the tomatoes...and boy was I right!!!!  With very little work, I have managed to grow some large, beautiful, healthy plants.  Today I decided to harvest the crop since there is no way I could use them as quickly as they are growing.  I now have 7 plates drying on my counter with three different Basil's, Oregano, Thyme, Mint and Dill.

I am in no way getting paid for promoting the AeroGarden, but I feel compelled to give my opinion on this product, so here it is.  If you are like me and live in a place where it is hard to grow outdoors, this is a great product (so far, we will have to see how well the tomatoes grow).  It is very easy to maintain.  It tells you when to add water and nutrients.  The lights are on an automatic timer, as well as the hydroponics.  It doesn't take up too much space on your counter and doesn't make a difference on your electric bill.  It is just wonderful!!

Below is my AeroGarden after the "harvest".  I will be interested to see how long it takes for the plants to grow as full as they were.

Doubled

Being Focused.

The triangle scarf has doubled in size.  Which doesn't mean that it is closed to finished by any means, but it is starting to take shape.  I am finding quiet in the focus it takes to knit.  More important, I am finding joy in creating it, which is one of the biggest reasons why I craft (besides not being able to just sit still).

Challenges this project is giving me?  The edges are rolling up, and I have tried what all the books say to prevent this problem.  I am hoping that once I block the project when I am finished, that it will solve this problem...but I am not very optimistic.

What is going well?  The design.  The whole design is just "knit on the fly".  No pattern.  This is giving me freedom to just knit and not have to worry about whether I am following something correctly.

Forever

What was I thinking??  While browsing the local fiber store, a while ago, the owner was opening up boxes of new inventory.  I couldn't resist, I love watching boxes being open.  A new sock yarn emerged, Online SuperSocke self patterning yarn.  With such beautiful colors, nice texture and durability, I immediately started picking a skein I liked.  The price tag...about $20...ouch!  Did that matter at the time though, not really. 

This skein of yarn sat, unattended for months.  I thought about making a pair of socks with it, but a $20 pair of socks??  Plus, I haven't knitted socks before and find them a little intimidating.  So fingerless gloves came to mind next, but I couldn't find a pattern that called for the weight of this yarn.  My brilliant idea...a triangle scarf and I would make it as big as the skein allowed.  Simple and easy.

What was I thinking??  Although I am loving the colors and the way it is looking so far, this project is going to take me forever.  It only keeps my attention for a short time (knitting is like that for me), the needles I have to use to make the self patterning yarn do its job are so small which means the rows are very short and well I am just not that fast of a knitter.  To say this is a challenge for me is an understatement.  My commitment to this project is 100% though and if it takes me years to get this done, oh well, all I have is time right?


Picture:  Start of the Triangle Scarf.  Would you believe I have been working on this, on and off, for a couple months?

Moving Forward

2011...a year that was supposed to hold great new beginnings has not started off as hoped.  I do not wish to go into such personal details as this is supposed to be a crafting blog.  But I am well and intent to move forward with a positive and hopeful attitude.

As for crafting...hmmm, well....ah....nothing, so far.  Stay tuned though as keeping my hands and mind busy with crochet, knitting and sewing may be the way to keep me sane.

The Weekend

This weekend is the big bazaar at the local high school....the one I was going to be prepared for this year.  Yeah right!  I may have about 6 books, 3 necklaces and a dozen hair clip bows.  Why is it that something always comes up when I am trying to achieve this goal.  I really want to make crafting a small source of income for myself, but somehow it always gets pushed to the waste side because life happens. 

Luckily, the friend I shared a booth with last year doesn't mind if she has the booth all to herself this year, but has offered if I have a few things to put in, I am welcome to.  Unfortunately, these days I go to bed at around 9pm.  Just enough time to get home, relax for a few, make dinner, eat dinner, clean up after dinner, play with my dog Kane, relax for a little while and then to bed...no time for crafting.

Maybe someone is trying to tell me to give up?

Hello! Hello!

Where o where have I been?  Sleeping and working.  That seems to be life these days.  I have been so exhausted the past month that I haven't done a whole lot of anything.  It is really frustrating, since I am the type of person that always has my hands busy.  Even when lounging on the couch, I will have a crochet hook in my hand.

Big changes are coming in my life.  Although I am keeping it a secret for now, I assure you everything is good, and this change is wonderful. 

Jelly

The Salmonberries were not as abundant this year, as they have been. It seems that the effects of the non-existent summer, two years ago, when we barely reached 50 degrees and hardly saw the sun, is still showing. I miss seeing berries the size of walnuts, over taking the bushes. At least there were some berries, compared to the non-existent summer, where there were no berries, no flowers, and no sun.


Yesterday I took the day off, a much needed 3 day weekend.  (The last tax deadline, October 15th, has past and I have survived...barely)  Sunday I pulled out my three small bags of berries to de-thaw.  I was able to get about 2 gallons of berries, a small amount for me.

Thru smashing and adding a small amount of water I was able to squeeze enough juice for two batches.  Not a lot but at least some. 

One Month To Go

 With one month till the holiday bazaars begin, I am furiously working on increasing my inventory.  I am bound and determined that this year will be better.  I will be more prepared with a better focus.  Not sure if I have enough time to pull it off but I am going to give it my best effort.  My only worry right now is having enough variety as well as product.

Here is my newest item:
The Mushroom Stash Necklace
Will fit a lighter or lipstick, a roll of cash or whatever you wish.

And here are some new earrings.....

Tell me what you think.  I welcome all and any comments!!

Come on now I know you want to order some..wink wink.

Beach Treasures

I received a phone call mid afternoon yesterday asking if I would like to go beach combing.  I LOVE BEACH COMBING!  So of course I went.  I packed the necessities, my camera and a Ziploc bag, and traveled to a beach I haven't explored before not knowing what I would find.

After about a 15 minute walk, we approached the beach. I was at first amazed with the view (I never get tired of pretty landscapes), then I looked down....

Look closely at the beach, (click on the picture to enlarge) yes that is beach glass!  And lots of it.  Most were fairly small pieces, but I was able to find some big pieces.  There were lots of Amber, Clear and Green.  I also found some blue, yellow, a small red and some other neat things out there.

Here is all my loot...

I'd say it was a good day at the beach!

End of Road 1000 Feet

The island is receiving some beautiful fall days and I am trying to take advantage of each and every one of them.  Winter will be here soon and with that comes lots of rain, some snow, cold days and little daylight.  I always giggle on these nice days because it seems like everyone ventures outside to enjoy them.  We all get so couped up staying out of the bad weather that any amount of good weather brings out the masses.

My red nose pitt bull, Kane, and I drove all the way out the road, literally to the end of the road.  We were lucky to find only a few people out there and no other dogs.  (Kane is not too friendly towards other dogs)  We spent our time walking the beach, playing Frisbee, collecting fossils and just relaxing.

Crafting:

In crafting news, I am working on a couple skirt designs.  I have become obsessed with the show Project Runway and it has really sparked some great ideas for me.  Even as a kid I wanted to be a fashion designer and if that dream never comes true, I can at least design some really great clothes for myself, right?