Halloween Crochet

I managed to finish a couple Halloween things this year. I did a "Halloween Tree", using this pattern with only one strand of yarn and an H hook. I used a cone from some crochet cotton I had and it fit perfectly. The hat, spiders bats and skulls are those plastic rings from the Dollar Store. The hat, too.

 And I was thinking of what else I could make. I wanted to do a ghost but I wanted something "more". I thought "I should just crochet a ghost and add a spinner to the bottom." So that's what I did. I used this ghost pattern. You could probably use any spinner pattern, there's free ones out there. I don't even remember what one I used.  I hung the ghost up on our front porch (I took this picture upstairs). I wanted to another spinner Halloween thing but... Maybe next year. 

RIP Jetta :(

 Our beloved Jetta passed away a week ago today. 😭  It was sudden. She had never been sick; then on Thursday morning she started vomiting all day. Friday she didn't vomit as much; I thought she was going to get better. Then Saturday morning she woke me up at 5 vomiting very bad. And she couldn't even walk. I took her to the Urgent Care veterinarian (her vet). They couldn't see anything wrong with her externally. But they did a blood test; she had kidney failure. 😭💔  I didn't want to see her suffer any longer. I didn't want to put her down, either. 😭 But it was the most humane thing to do for her. We all miss her a lot. She was a good dog. We had her since she was 14 weeks old; for ten years. 

Antique Store Finds

Over the weekend, we went to see my Father-In-Law. We were over an hour early, I kept saying to my husband, "We're way early.." He wouldn't say anything. "Why are we going this way, anyway?" Nothing...  Then he pulled into a Craft/Antique Mall. He wanted to surprise me, he said. I wish we had more time to look around, that place is huge. I didn't realize until I walked into the antique part of the store, I had been there before. A lifetime ago, when my boys were little.  I walked around the craft section first. Then the antiques. I saw this baby afghan. I thought it was very interesting. It looks like a mitered square. But the little holes have me confused. I posted on a couple places asking if anyone knew what the pattern is. No one seems to know. I kind of want to go back and buy it so I can try to copy it. Well, I do want to go back for sure. I could be there all day. I was rushed, so I didn't have time to look at everything.

But (at the last second!) I found a Shelley Tea Cup!! I used to collect tea cups with saucers (around the same time as I went to that store before), but I didn't really know anything about them. But when I went to my (late) Aunt's house for lunch last Fall, she was showing me her Shelley Tea Cups she got in England when her daughter (my cousin) lived there. I was so impressed. Now I want some Shelley Tea Cups, I thought...  I really don't love the flowers on this one, but it was the only one I could find. I had to put it inside my desk, so the cats don't go up there and knock it off and break it.   

I also saw almost a whole booth with Fiestaware! Sigh...  
 

Monkey

OH my God!! Blogger ate my post. Let's try this again...  This is a monkey I finished yesterday for a friend who's birthday is next month. 

                                                                            The tail....

                             It's a little crooked in spots, but I still think it's kinda cute.

d 

Up close of the face. I used blue eyes, because I couldn't find any black or brown safety eyes anywhere. But one day I was looking for something else in my sewing room, and I found some blue eyes. I had to stop where I was crocheting until I found eyes. So I was glad I found some.  I haven't crocheted a monkey in a long time. She loves monkeys, so I hope she likes it.  I found the pattern on this site.
 

20 Year Old Baby Quilt Project...

I worked on the baby quilt some more yesterday. I started this thing when I was pregnant with our youngest son.We moved his bedroom downstairs and all my sewing/yarn/craft stuff upstairs, last weekend. (The air conditioner does not work up there and it is so hot..)  I had my craft room almost all organized (downstairs), too. It's not completely how I want it upstairs, but I have SO much more room up there! The only thing is, it's a sloped ceiling and I keep whacking my head. 😏 But there are things I like better upstairs. Way more room. No windows right next to the neighbors' driveway, so I don't have to hear them every time they're outside. The windows are facing the street and backyard. But the back side of the house has an air conditioner in the window. (That doesn't work.) ~Anyway!~ 

 Here is my progress now. I have one row plus three or more squares done, beside this. I was doing one square at a time. Then I decided it would be way quicker to do all of them in one go. I have the next strips all cut out ironed and placed with what square they will go on. I didn't feel like sewing much today but I did do the strips. 

Happy Independence Day America

Otherwise known as 4th of July. 🎇🎆⭐  I crocheted a couple 4th of July things this year. This Patriotic Towel Topper. I HATED this pattern!!! It's vague and complicated and doesn't even tell you what color yarn to use in some parts. I messaged the pattern designer but she still has not replied. 😠 So, I just did what I thought I was supposed to do. I didn't realize until I was going to take the picture, I sewed the wrong side of the towel to the front and the gnomes on the towel are upside down. Sigh... But, I still think the finished product is really cute.

And I crocheted a 4th of July scrunchie that I already sent to someone. My hair isn't long enough to wear a scrunchie.

And, I made a 4th of July card copying one I saw online. I sent this with the scrunchie.  

I hope you have a safe 4th of July.
 

The Pig Afghan

I got the pig afghan out and took pictures. This was for an order that didn't work out (long story). I have had it for over two years, not knowing what to do with it. So I decided to just donate it to Sleep In Heavenly Peace (like my previous post stated).

                                                                          Up close.

 The pig up close. This was the pattern I used for it. And I swear I do not want to ever make another one.

Another UFO

This is another UFO I got out to finish.. A C2C blanket I started pfff... over two years ago. I don't think I ever posted this one before. 

These are the yarn brands. I couldn't find that shade of purple in Red Heart, so I got the WalMart brand.

And the dye lots. I am thinking I will donate this one when it's finished, to Sleep In Heavenly Peace. A charity that my old Quilt Guild (well, I am technically still in it even though it's over 2,000 miles away from where I live now) supported.  Along with a pig afghan. Which I don't think I ever posted about either. Hmmm...
 

I Finished The Hooded Baby Sweater

 Well, I have been trying to finish UFO's.  And not start anything new. (We'll see how long that lasts..)  I had originally started this to send with that baby quilt. But, I don't think it would even fit the little guy now. So, I decided to save it. For in case I ever get a grandbaby. I thought I could start stockpiling things up. This is the Crochet Four Color Baby Sweater from Daisy Farm Crafts. I wish I had kept notes on what size I was making and hook I used. 😏 I just had to finish the front edge ribbing and sew the buttons on, though. So it wasn't a huge deal. I went and bought the toggle buttons. I love those. Now maybe to finish that baby quilt! I don't know, I think that might be my oldest UFO.  

A Turtle

I finished this guy a couple days ago. I had been wanting to crochet something but didn't know what..  I saw a turtle someone had posted in a group I'm in, it was using all granny squares. The pattern was over $7 though. I got to thinking, "I have a square-ish shell pattern!" I've had it forever, and never made it. My Grandma had one of these on her bed. I asked her one day where she got it. She said my step-Mom had given it to her for Christmas. So I (got up the courage to) asked my step-Mom about it, and she showed me the pattern. It's from a really old pattern book "Toys to Knit & Crochet" by Coats and Clark. And the yarn colors I had never heard of some of them. "Blue Jewel"..  So I googled them and came up with the closest colors there are now.  

                       This was pre- Amigurumi days. Also, the pattern did NOT make sense in some parts. I almost gave up, but I put it away for the day then would come back to it.

                                                   I think he is really cute. He's pretty big, too. 

 The top of the shell. I used the colors the pattern stated for the shell. The body I used what color green I wanted to. I like this green for him. I will have to come up with a name for him..

More Cards, A Pair of Socks

Well, I was using reverse psychology on myself when I said I was burned out making cards. Ha ha.  I just can't stop. This was one I got the idea from somewhere online. Using the stamp set my husband got me for Christmas, or my birthday. I can't remember.

And two "sweater cards" people in one of my groups keep posting them, and I had to make one (then I made another one..) If you go to You Tube and type sweater cards, it should come up. I think it's Stamp with Anna.

And a pair of plain tube socks I finished. I had never made tube socks before and someone in a sock group I'm in posted a pair so I wanted an easy TV knitting project.

                                                                  Turned inside out.

This is a "house" card I saw on a You Tube video one someone else had made and I liked it. I made it for someone who's house was ruined by Hurricane Ida last year. They've been working to remodel their house.

 And some cards I got inspiration from (same You Tube channel, different video I think..)  I also made a "Sending Hugs" cat card but I forgot to take a picture of it.

Okay I Lied...

Well, I said I was burned out from making cards... I guess I wasn't. 😜 I saw a cute card on Pinterest and I thought "I almost have everything to make that one." I did the coffee cup and sentiment differently. This is the original card.  Linked to the post, not the Pinterest page...  I don't have all the special Stampin' Up stuff and I improvised. I also handwrote the "How've you bean?" sentiment. It's not as cute as the original card but I still think it's all right.

This is the envelope, I stamped coffee beans on it..  I'm craving coffee today bad. I try not to drink a lot though, so I can actually sleep at night.  I didn't lie intentionally, I really was burned out. But I got the urge to make another card. 

More Cards

 I had been making some cards recently. I am kind of burned out from doing it though, now. It all started when I got some lavender index cards, and some lavender note cards with envelopes that were an odd shape. I wanted to make a card with it all though. The cards I made are in the top right picture. Then I was into the "banner" aspect of cards, and I made a couple more.   Nothing big but it's crafting. I sent seven of them to a card campaign. I would maybe have done more, but I had another death in the family; and I thought the deadline was April 19th (but it was the 29th). 

Socks Are Done!

Well I didn't realize how close I was to the toe section when I posted yesterday- I was right there! So I finished the second sock last night. One looks bigger in the picture than the other one, because I was wearing it the other night when my feet were cold. (As I was knitting the other one. 😏)

                        They are to match this shirt. Guess what I am wearing today?  😁

            On my feet. This is the first time I've knit different colored toes, heels and a band.

                                                           With a cute photo bomber.  I don't know if I posted a link to the pattern I used. It's a free Ravelry download: Tuff Rib Socks.  I think I will get those green socks out today and see if I remember what I was doing... Maybe I will start the pattern all over.  Whoa, weird coincidence!! I started the green socks on this day ten years ago! 😮

Sock Update

 I have finished one of the socks. I am almost to the toe of the second sock. It seems like after the heel, the rest of the sock takes forever for some reason. I actually wore it last night over the socks I had on. 😝 My feet were cold. It's taking me all of March to finish these. And Saint Patrick's Day is over with. So it doesn't look like I will finish the green socks for March. I was looking at how much of the green yarn I have and I don't even know if I will have enough to do two whole socks. I will have to see...

Socks

My son gave me a shirt from where he works last week. 😄 He actually brought two shirts home, this was the one I chose. The other one was a t-shirt.  I was going to wear it one day, and thought, "I don't have any matching socks.." 

So again, I said "I have yarn, I know how to knit.."  😜  And, it has been a long time since I knitted any socks!  Not like I need another project to work on. But...  This one is for me.

This is my progress so far. I am doing the heel and toes in blue. Using this pattern.  And stash yarn. I don't know what the blue is, but the grey is "Naturally Caron" Country in "Silver Service". I have "about" three skeins of the grey.  After I started these, I was thinking "Where are all the other socks I knitted myself?" And I went and found them. (I need to wash them.) And I found a pair I started. Well, I found two pairs I started. The green ones, and the Earl Grey ones. The Earl Grey ones I stopped because they are complicated (for me). I hope to finish the green ones soon, too. Maybe in time for Saint Patrick's Day. 😀🍀  In case you are interested in seeing the other socks I knit for myelf, one pair is here. (The last picture, also a picture of some other socks I knit for my son..) The other pair is here.
 

Sweater Update

 Progress on the four color baby sweater so far. I noticed that the light grey yarn seems to be slightly thinner than all the other yarn. Even though they are all worsted weight. Hmm... I really like this sweater though and I may make more when this one is finished. 😊  

And an update on the baby quilt. I had sent it to the person(s); but I kept checking the tracking number, and one day it said "return to sender in progress". What??? Apparently they moved! In one month. Ughhhh... I seriously hope the box does not get lost. This quilt has been a one step forward four steps back thing since I started it. I guess I should check before I send something, in the future.. 😞

Baby Sweaters...

I had started one of these sweaters before, but I am almost positive I ripped it out before I moved. It's The Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman.  I don't have anyone in mind for this. I was actually thinking I would just knit it for in case I have a future grandbaby. If I ever do...  Wish me luck. I told myself, "I finished a Tomten Jacket, I should be able to figure this out!" 

 And, I saw this one on a group I am in. Someone had done one and I loved it. So, I started one...  It's the Crochet Four Color Baby Sweater. I had the same baby in mind I made the quilt for. But I'm not sure...  I'll see. I'm actually almost done with one of the sleeves since I took this picture.

Mittens For Me

 I have posted other pairs of these mittens before. I got the pattern from a pen pal years and years ago. I don't know where it's from actually. But it's called "Grow Mittens". My son keeps losing gloves at work, and I would give him a pair of mine. Then I was down to an old holey mismatched pair. I thought, "I have yarn... I know how to knit"... 💡 I have never knit a pair of these for myself. Always my kids, teachers, gifts..  So now I have a pair. 😊  Another pair I did.  The first pair I finished?

The Baby Quilt Is Done!

Yay!!! I am so relieved it's done! I just have to rip the basting stitches out on the back. I haven't had a quilter do that before. No biggie. Then wash it and box it up and send it.

                        I chose a "meandering" quilt stitch. I love that one for some reason.

The backing. Grey polka dots. I used a smaller grey polka dot fabric in the squares, too. I hope they will love it. It's a crib size quilt. The baby is two months old now. (Sigh...) But, I didn't know I was going to be moving to another state again, have two funerals to go to... And everything else. So considering, it's still pretty good time.  Now I can work on my other baby quilt. In case I ever get a grand baby... 🍼👶