Shower Progress

The hubby is doing an EXCELLENT job!!!

It's SO pretty and I'm SO proud of him!!!

Go RETROHOUND!!!

Got a little crazy with the scissors today!

4 Little Doilies by Patricia Kristoffersen

I have finished 4 (and started a 5th, he he) of PK's Little Doilies!  So great!!!  You can get one done in an evening or 2.  Fast and BEAUTIFUL!!!  EXQUISITE!!!  DAINTY!!!  So, it's love, love, and more love on my part.  :)

Here's some pictures of them getting blocked and the finished product.  Let's do the 'Ta-Daa' first, shall we?

Had to show the ever-present light saber clearly once.  Homes with all boys have a few standards like this one, along with toy cars, stacking plastic blocks, army men to name a few.  :)

The edging on the heart gave me a few tough moments.  The directions were lengthy, and I was tired...  Besides, on a PK, I usually have one row I have to think a little harder about because of her complexity.  But it is SO worth it!  Because her designs are BEE-U-TEE-FULLLLL!!!

:)

My New Books

I am SO excited to try out some of these projects.  Most of them are small and use up remnants which is GREAT!!!

Baby Sweater

Here is the little girl I take care of:

And here is the sweater I made for her:

It is for a 12 month old.  I used Caron Simply Soft yarn.  The pattern was from Hooked on Crochet (Oct. 2006) and is called, "Bright Stripes".  I modified the edges and hood somewhat.

Check out Anna!

I love what Anna is doing over at Annasimplecrochet

SO beautiful!!!  CHECK IT OUT!!!

Tile Up / Decor Idea!

The last wall has been tiled.

Now for cleaning and grouting and cleaning and sealing and cleaning.  (You get the idea!)


AND I went to Hobby Lobby and found new drawer pulls for our cabinet and a lightswitch plate to match.  SO EXCITED!!!

My towels are burgundy.  I may have to use a little brown as well, to tie in the countertop and flooring.  (Neither of which I like, but changing them will have to wait for a new day and a new set of $$$.)

SO many cute things in black!  I plan to pick things up here and there as I spot the perfect touches.

It is so fulfilling to turn a house into a HOME!!!

Promised Pictures

The sweater I am making is one of Kay Meadors from her Fashion Collection, Leisure Arts #3083.  The pattern is Crewneck Cardigan.   I am using burgundy thread which is quite lovely.  It is very difficult, however, to get a good photo of its true hue.

Here is the swatch I made:

It measured right.  But you would NOT believe the number of times I have started and re-started this sweater.  Grrr!!!  But it is SO pretty, that I am persevering.  I am.  I decided this last round, that if it is too small, I will just try to add more to the edging.

The purse is from a free pattern I got from Patons to use with their Grace yarn.  I have several skeins left from a baby dress I made my niece, which is posted here and here.  Plus, there is the perfect linen colored material in the stash from my mom to use as a liner.  I plan on customizing pockets for my own personal needs.  I have about 1/2 of the motifs done now.

The little doilies are for gifts.  I REALLY need to get them finished so I can send them off and be DONE with Christmas officially.  I also have to send our family picture out.  Plus school started Monday.  I'm sure it will all get done.  I pray it won't take me too long.

Whew!  Now all I need to show you is that little 12 mo. sweater...

More Crafting

I will start this post with my new bag holders.  For these, I used free material from my mother.  Several months ago, she gave me ribbon.  Then, in December, she brought me a bag of fabric and lace.

I knew just what I needed to do with a couple of the pieces!

Besides these items, I also started a couple of crochet projects for...(gasp)...MYSELF!  And I got FOUR NEW CROCHET BOOKS for Christmas from my mother.  So I have picked a few out of one, Patricia Kristoffersen's 99 Little Doilies, to try.  These are great short projects.  The doilies are 5" or 6" in diameter.  SO FAST!  I have finished 1, am almost done with another, and have started a third.  Here's a preview pic: 

(You'll have to come back for the detailed photos.)

Crafting Galore!

I was VERY proliferous in the month of December in the crafty department.  I made many Christmas presents (and I'm still not quite finished with that holiday even though it is over).

In addition to the crazy amount of food I made, I also made non-food gifts.

For my moms' ministry girls, I made potpourri bags.  I made sunflower dishcloths for several family members.  I made doilies for some.  I made a yarn sweater for a 1 year old in one week.  I also am working on a purse and a sweater for myself.  I also got my mending done (hemming 7 pairs of pants and sewing up 2 stuffed animals), plus I sewed 2 new bag holders for my closet.  One for Wal-mart bags and one for bread sacks.

I will put some pictures in this post and some later.  (Somehow I forgot to take a picture of the 12mo. sweater before I gave it to her.  I will get one, but for now all I have is a picture of me working on it.)

For the potpourri bags, I used potpourri I found at a garage sale for .25/bag.  The ribbon was from the stash from my mom, remember that?  And I bought thin gold netting for less than $1.

And this is what the dishcloths look like:

Don't worry; more to come!