Week 9 Challenge and a Pretty Flower

The block for Week 9 from 63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches is #26 Simple Shell Stitch. This completes one row. Only 54 more blocks to go! WooHoo!!! My goal is to post a video on how to do the Tunisian join. Hopefully I'll have that soon.

I haven't done much else except the crochet coaster. There are two reasons for this:

First, I interviewed for a promotion that would have been a considerable increase in pay, which would have meant a little extra to buy the yarn on my wish list. That promotion didn't happen. So now I'm back to working with what is in my stash and saving for yarn to make myself some knit and crochet tops I've had my eye on for a long time.

Second, we usually spend this time of year getting our yard ready for the summer. We like to get everything done now so we all that needs to be done is spend a little time on those

hot evenings mowing, weeding and watering. Mother Nature hasn't cooperated with us this year. We have had either torrential downpours or scalding heat. This week we had both. It's hard to believe that after over three inches of rain at the beginning of the week, all the flower beds were completely dry by the weekend. That's life in the Midwest.

I still have five more Christmas presents to make and six months to finish them--plenty of time!

Have a good week!

Week 8 Challenge

I have been on vacation this week. The first part of the week, it rained. The remainder of the week was just to stickin' hot to do much of anything except stay inside for a lot of knitting and crocheting.

The block for this week's 63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches challenge is #7 Alternate Puff Stitch. This was a fun stitch and would be good made with cotton for a dish cloth or something really soft for a face cloth.

Indianapolis is hosting the 2012 Super Bowl. Someone came up with the great idea to supply all the volunteers with hand crafted scarves. We'll need to have 8000 done by the Super Bowl. This is my third one. I haven't set a goal for this; just make scarves until they either don't need any more or time is up.

This was a fun project made with plarn (yarn made from plastic grocery bags). It's called The Ultimate Grocery Bag designed by Cindy aka RecycleCindy. Her website is MyRecycledBags.com. This is a great way to use up all those plastic grocery bags.

This week I joined a Knit Along on Ravely--KAL with knitwitsalli. We will be making dishcloths designed my Alli Barrett. Our first one was for Father's Day. My father passed away 23 years ago - right before Father's Day. I am considering making another one and give them to my brothers.

Finally, I worked on making more CD coasters. There is an arts fair in August. I am hoping to have enough of my own designs to sell.

That is all for this week.

Happy Father's Day!

Week 6 & 7 Challenge

Block #8 Chevron Relief Stitch from 63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches

Block #7 Arch Stitch from 63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches

I don't know where time has gone. It's summer and we spend a lot of time outside...guess I just forgot to post last week.

Today is muggy and stormy. We worked outside until we couldn't stand it. So today I post. It may be like this for the summer, but I am keeping up with my challenge.

I've also been working on Christmas presents, my fiber pal challenge, and a scarf--pictures to follow some day.

Having a fiber pal is so much fun. We get monthly challenges that really get the creative juices flowing. And the best part--I get something hand crafted just for me! As all crafters know, we very seldom get to keep the fun things for ourselves. We either give them as gifts or donations. From my fiber pal I've received things such as potholders, a scarf, face cloth, and notebook. Each monthly box has a handcrafted item and a few goodies. I look forward to the little package coming every month.

There is a sweater I would like to knit for myself. I want to make it out of a silk blend yarn, which is a little out of my price range. It's time for a yarn diet until I can save enough money to buy the yarn.

I am on vacation this week. If the weather keeps up as it has been this weekend, I should get a lot of knitting and crocheting done.

Have a good week! Keep cool and dry.