Sunday, August 26, 2007

Weekend stuff!


Ahhh, there is something about weekends that just seems to make me happy. I think its the lack of appointments. No one expects a person to make an appointment on a weekend. Then usually we have no working on a weekend and only then on an occasional saturday. For me, I usually try to do things that would get interrupted on a weekday. That said, I planned to sew this weekend. Funny thing is I've done everything but that.lol

I did manage a few rows on one mixed color lapghan. I also did a few rows on a white climbing shells baby ghan. I started another hat for my challenge. I hope to finish it and at least start a scarf to go with it tonight. Feeling a bit guilty on the sewing. I guess I prefer to crochet as I can sit anywhere and do that. A little while ago I sat on our deck and started the hat.

Next month, begins a new event. This event will be for newborns in need. I'm looking forward to a change up in venue. Although next year's donations will be worked differently. Then I can juggle what I want to do according to yarn and desire. The next project will be "Mary Jo's Shell Stitch Sweater with Hat". You can find that pattern at this url, http://bundlesoflove.org/
This is really a darling little sweater and hat. I'm posting a pic above for you all to see. Its an older sweater pattern. I love the ribbing and the look of the sleeves.

Until we meet Again!
Hook's Up!
Leslee
http://craftersintheattic.nexo.com/

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Great Crochet Finds.."Scrumbling"


I found some interesting things online today. First, I have an old friend that from time to time sends me all sorts of information. She also belongs to a fiber group in the U.K. Then also will I have to say to her..ummm...what does this mean? translate please?..

To my delight she sent me something else today. I opened to the url sent to me and found that there is a small guild in New South Wales that had workshops. Attached to that url was workshops. They have U. S. translation and then what they called "the rest of the world". Oh, and since they give the translation from U.S. to "rest of the world", I now have a resource for information. I opened the first one which shows choosing a yarn and hook!... What a find! The guild says we can use them for our own purposes or teaching needs. I'm going to download and add these to my Cd collection for use in helping others learn to Crochet. I'm also passing on this tidbit to you:
http://www.crochet.nu/scjwc/workshops/index.html Use it well.

Our new word for today?

'Scrumbling' ( from: (late)sylvia cosh/james walters crochet)

"'Scrumbling' (that is, making things up as you go along) has always been our word for free-form crochet. There is a whole range of different techniques and philosophies behind the idea – probably as many as there are people doing it. Ours have usually been about finding what suited us and took us in new directions. It is all about peeling off the layers of household grime which have accumulated around the infinitely popular, but limited, 'painting by numbers' tradition of domestic crochet and discovering underneath a brilliantly simple and expressive technique. Starting with a hook and a continuous thread of some kind, each of us can make fabrics and structures in two and three dimensions, allowing our eyes, hands and heart all to work together to create intuitively and immediately

What we have always tried to teach are down-to-earth, practical approaches to help people to develop their own creative personalities, rather than always to be measuring themselves against someone else's set-piece crochet 'recipes'. It is still my plan to use this space to help de-mystify the things that often confuse or intimidate people about crochet, so they can really begin to fly …" This lady left a wonderful legacy behind her. She shared her craft with the Crochet Guild of America among many others. What a wonderful thing to leave behind for our loved ones to benefit in.~ Leslee

There is a delightful new free pattern today from Annie's Attic. Its a purple pineapple plant hanger. I was really surprised. Its one of those little things you find along the way that you want to save and add for a gift project. Many times those little finds are great gifts. This one has a practical use for your household too.

Until we meet Again!
Hook's Up!
Leslee
http://craftersintheattic.nexo.com/

Friday, August 24, 2007

I Believe its called Procrastination!


I wish you all well on this very hot friday afternoon! Very hot here as its 97 degrees. When the temperature gets above 90 its just really uncomfortable. My daughter said its going to cool down and we are getting rain..yeah, right! ok, so maybe it will who knows?

Now on to crocheting. Have you ever had a lot of projects going at one time and then have others that need to be started. Add to that a site posts a wonderful ghan, and then I'm groaning. I want to start a new project but the others are dragging their feet..wait! that's me dragging..lol
The pattern I'm speaking of is in Annie's Attic today. Its their free pattern. Its called "Midnight Jewel Afghan". Its black and the color comes from a yarn called gemstone..So pretty!

So, ok, I started making a list of things to do today. I added phone calls, emails that needed to be written, laundry that needed to be done, dishes washed, banana bread made, a list of things I need to have ready or done for my flight, and I want to get some reading done. No where on that list was crocheting!..wait..let me check!..nope!.. I think I see a problem..I'm not scheduling it in. I'm moving slowly today so I guess its the heat wearing me out..So far on my list I've done all but the list which I did start but not finish and the banana bread..I even made muffins..those weren't on the list. Nor was this blog...ahhhhhhh!

Ok, maybe I just need to make a list for my crafting and mark it off as I go?..hmm..well, I will certainly give it a try..who knows?it just might work!

Until we meet Again!
Hook's Up!
Leslee
http://craftersintheattic.nexo.com/

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Managing Crochet During Hot Summer Months!

Good Evening!
My its been pretty hot here where I live. Its 93 right now and tomorrow will be 97. Its hard to want to pick up some of my warmer crochet projects. I have a lapghan that needs finishing. I have one hat/scarf set to make to reach my goal for this month's challenge. I have sewing to do..that's more heat. I was left with what can I keep my hands busy with? The solution was this. During the daytime hours when everything was too hot to handle I would work on my crochet threads. They are much lighter and it will get those doilies I've wanted to make done. Then during the cooler evening hours I will work on those warmer things .

I was really excited yesterday. I found through a member of my Crafter's in the Attic group a url to a pattern I really fell in love with. Its a baby blanket done in baby or sport yarns. Matching hats that are just too cute.. then after looking over the blanket pattern I found a link to some booties. I'm a curious one so I clicked on it and found something called Baby Ugs..oh I just fell out..they are darling. I have a newborn gs just born last week..he is a little guy but could use some growing up.. and I have another gs overdue at the moment. He must be a shy one..lol. I know he will be at least a nine pounder as his little petite mom seems to have big ones like that and the last one born before this little guy was nine pounds four ounces.. I have decided to make a list of yarns I need and I'm taking patterns and yarn with me when I go on vacation. These little guys have to have some Ugs..and we have another little girl due in November..she gets some girlie ones.. oh, I nearly forgot. Check out Bev's Country Cottage for Baby's Hat by Gayle Benoit..she has a link to her Ugs pattern at the bottom of this page that also includes a blanket she made to go with the hat..

I'm also considering looking into some yarns by Coats and Clark. They made some cotton yarn that looks rather tweedy..definitely a nice choice for a hat and scarf..a boy might like it.. They have made some great new yarns lately. Also check out Lionbrand..they have some great new knitting and crocheting patterns that are free. They offer ideas on the yarns to use. Sometimes I change up a different yarn just to see if it will produce something unexpected. Not a mess but a new creation I haven't thought of. To me it like playing with colors and textures..when I was a kid I loved to color..I still do.. but I noticed that I used to play with crayon colors the same way I do yarns..so the sky's the limit next time I hit the store!

Until we meet again!
Hook's up!
Leslee
http://craftersintheattic.nexo.com/

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Crocheting to help


With one new grandson born a week ago today..we are still waiting for the other one. Since this baby watch is dragging itself out I decided to pop back in here and write. For those who read my blog from time to time..I'm sorry I've been away. For those just reading thanks for visiting my place here.

I've steadily been working on lapghans for a senior home. In between I've been working on crocheted baby sweaters, hats for the babies and hats for inner city kids. My group, Crafter's in the Attic, along with Les Bois Arts and International Children's Network, have been working to make hats and scarf get to inner city kids this winter ages 5 through 18 yrs. These are the kids that usually get skipped over and who need things to keep them warm. Now we are also working with ICN to help 100 orphans in Peru. With the earthquakes that have happened in that country recently I'm not sure how our involvement will change. Of this I am sure, they will need our help more now then ever!

I've developed a pattern that is easy for a scarf. I'm using a pattern that I modified to fit a child and for a teen which is basically at that part of life is a small adult. Some are children larger so I was thinking if we just made them in sets as I have challenged my ladies to do, then we would be able to have a broader chance to meet the needs of most.

Leslee's scarf pattern: ch 126 (chains depend on size, keep in mind you want an even number of chains to begin with) Row 1: sc in the second ch and across to the end..ch 3, turn. Row 2: dc in each st across to the end, ch 3, turn. Row 3: *skip one st, dc in next. Go back and dc in skipped st.* Then repeat * to *across to end. dc in last st. Ch 3, turn. Row 4 & 5: repeat row 2. ch 3, turn. Row 6: repeat row 3. ch 3, turn. Row 7: repeat row 2. ch 1, turn. Row 8: sc in each st across, finish off.

Annie's Attic, has the sweetest little project that is free for kids today. It's an earring set that are musical notes or a violin. The wire part is the ear ring part..the rest is crocheted..Its fun!
http://www.anniesattic.com . I have a teen age grand daughter that would probably love these. Too bad my flute playing grandson is a boy!..lol

Until we meet again!
Hook's Up!
Leslee
http://craftersintheattic.nexo.com/

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Crafting while on Baby Watch


As I stand on "baby watch" here ..or should I say sit..lol. I'm busy crocheting three climbing shells lapghans for some seniors..Actually one will be for one of my grandson's who has yet to make his appearance.

I also made one hat and embellished with fun fur I found at the dollar store. It looks like a hat a teen girl might like. I'm currently working on a scarf to go with it. That will take care of half my challenge for this month. I still need another hat/scarf to make my goal.

I was hoping to finish the two sweaters that seem to allude me. I think maybe concentration on that goal in need of work..giggle..At least finish them before this monday as both mommy's to be will be induced..Have to have them done. But its not like its cold here or anything. Its been in the 80's. Although up here in the mountains at night it does get a bit nippy.

I'm planning my christmas presents too..oh yeah! I said the word. Its a word most crafters and mom's don't like to hear or think on..but with all these new additions to my family..I have to get busy..I'm thinking some nice footies I just saw from Annies' Attic ..and some fleece blankets for the kids..that's a lot of kids but if I get them made and then add a little something to make the gifts personal they will be welcome..

Until we meet again!
Hook's Up!
Leslee
http://craftersintheattic.nexo.com/

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Busy Crafting


Hello!
Oh my! Two days in a row for my blogging! Might become a habit. I love to write. I don't always have time. I love more to crochet which explains why I get more of that done.

Right now I'm sort of on crunch time. I have baby blankets to get ready for my new grandsons who have yet to make their appearance! I also have a lap ghan and two sweaters to finish..Then someone in our group drew our attention to some free patterns that are great. One is Cowboy Booties and the other newborn gowns. After saving the patterns I was trying to decide which to do first..Ok, better light in the morning for sewing and threading that darn needle in my machine..so that can wait..I guess tonight will get my attention in my crocheting.

I also have a challenge I'm working on. The challenge is to make hats/scarf sets for inner city children ages 5 thru 18. I think I mentioned this before. Its the CRS and my meds playing with my memory. Not to mention a bazillion other things I am trying to keep on the back burners..
I haven't started these yet. I set a goal for two sets a month till the end of the year. Hmm..I'm thinking I need to get started..lol

Until we meet again!
Hook's Up!
Leslee
http://craftersintheattic.nexo.com/

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

I'm back!


Its amazing how time just seems to fly when you are busy!
That's the case here with me. I've been working hard to crochet some baby things for my daughters who are pregnant. Both of them due in August and two days a part. The funny thing here is they are almost like to horses in a race..just when you think one is ahead the other's nose shows she is taking the lead. Let me explain. One of them went to the hospital for pain. Was told she is dilating but not yet ready to stay. Then the other goes to the doctor and she is told she is
experiencing some labor but will need to wait a bit.. This has gone on for three going on four weeks. So, like a good mom/nana, I'm working on receiving blankets, spit up cloths, sweaters, what ever they need really. Both are expecting little boys. So color choice is now easier. Both have very little for their babies so that makes choice easier too.

I'm crocheting lapghans too. I have one red climbing shells ghan done. I have one baby blue and one tan/lighter tan striped one on the hook.. I love this pattern as it works up easy.

Crafter's in the Attic, is now supporting a challenge from now throughout the year. We are setting goals to make hat/scarf sets for inner city children in poverty ages 5 through 18 in this country. We are working in collaboration with International Children's Network to help these children. We also have an event in Nov/Dec of this year to work with them to help keep warm 100 orphans in Peru. They will need blankets, sweaters, hats/scarfs, anything to keep them warm in temps -10. I guess you could say the "Attic" is a busy place. We have going on right now an event to help senior in a place called "Summer Wind". Those seniors are being taught to crochet or knit from one of our members to help children in the U.S. Meanwhile we hear in the "Attic" are making things for them. The ladies there that are crocheting are not aware that we are making things for them...So, it should be a nice surprise!

Until we meet again!
Hook's Up!
Leslee
http://craftersintheattic.nexo.com