So much has happened in the past week or so- and I’ve been so swamped that I haven’t even made time to post about it.  Shame on me. The crochet habit hobby has taken off in full swing. I decided to dive right in and start a blanket for a very pregnant, very best friend of mine. I do pretty well as long as I’ m not trying to watch a movie or anything else at the same time. If I try to do anything else, other than listen to music, I end up with more chains and loops and whatnot than I need.  Oh well..I’ll get there.

The pattern called for four primary colors (shown here) but I opted for  two colors (pink and chocolate brown )for a more modern/match the nursery theme. I really am excited about how I imagine this will look- ha! I’m just gonna cross my fingers and avoid any TV while I’m working on it. Good thing Grey’s isn’t on right now…

That’s really all that I’ve been working on, crochet wise, other than a few dish cloths here and there….

Here…

There…(in action even..)

Oh- check her out!

Isn’t she just great? I hope i have a child who likes to learn new crafts like her one day…

There’s also been a ton of embroidery going on around here. I’ll have to give you the skinny on how my first class went. You should have heard all of the machines embroidering at the same time… It was neat-o!! I was also asked about doing demonstrations/classes this fall at some of our state schools- which I’m so excited about.

More about all that later. Right now, sleep is mandatory.

Did I ever tell you how I ever started sewing?

Todd and I were birthday shopping for me …and I just could NOT think of anything “good” to buy with the Birthday money that my Mom & Dad gave me. We were walking down the aisle and I started gazing at the sewing machines. I recalled my neighbor Dusty-(who turned into best friend) making her own curtains in her kitchen on a hand-me-down workhorse of a sewing machine. As I stood there, I decided…I wanted to be like that. I wanted to make my own curtains, and just to make in general. Even though I hadn’t touched a sewing machine since 9th grade Home Ec class, I knew that sewing machine was what I wanted.

As soon I got home that night, I called Dusty and she brought over her machine. It was like talking to an old friend I hadn’t seen in a while on both ends- the machine and Dusty. She made dresses for her daughter while I started dabbling in quilting- eventually, I talked her into quilting. I guess you could say that we’ve influenced each other the past three years. For as long as we were neighbors, hardly a day went by that we didn’t tote our sewing machines and fabric to each others house and sew all night as our Husbands did whatever Husbands do.

I didn’t realize before her that you could be so close to someone in such a short period of time, but we did and I love her to death. We both ended up moving in opposite directions but still only live an hour apart. We try to schedule “sew days” about once a month to catch up and …well…sew of course.

Saturday morning Dusty came over and we had a sew day. We never get as much done as we plan because we have to catch up with each other, but I did get half of the Joel Dewberry quilt cut and pieced together.

I also finished three more dish cloths (although one I gave away before I got a picture..) They are far from perfect but not too shabby for my first real week of “crochet school.”

Yay progress!!

You know what was even better than that??

This little guy, my newest nephew. Oh the fun we’re going to have…

My nephew was born today- and he is perfect.
Pictures coming soon!

I have a new friend at the office- who crochets. Well- I didn’t know that she crocheted and I was telling her that I wanted to learn. She told me that she would love to teach me. This week, we have packed our lunch and sat in her car and for an hour after we ate, she taught me. This you see, is my first project. According to half of the women that I work with, these cotton squares make the most fabulous wash cloths in the entire planet. I plan on test driving mine sometime this weekend.

Thanks to Richelle, crafty daisies crochet school, and this book…..I may get this thing figured out eventually. The plan is to make a (small)granny square afghan by September.

I totally love the yarn (Lion brand cotton)- so does Potter.

I’m going to a baby shower tomorrow and I’ve got to go finish a few things before then. I’ll show you that tomorrow…

Here’s another test run. I like it, but I don’t know if I’m sold on the idea anymore. You know, coaster making may not be something everyone would want to make.  I do think the fact that it’s all made in the hoop, is pretty neat but right now…I think that I’m just grabbing at an idea just to have…a plan? Yes…I’m one of those. A dreaded planner. So…I’m taking a few steps back to think about it. Suggestions are most welcome!!

A set of these bad boys are still going to make a home in my living room once I decide on the fabric I want to use.

I hope you had a great Memorial Day!

A few weeks ago, I was asked to teach an Embroidery class at Hancock Fabrics on the 21st of June. We’re going to go over machine embroidery basics, hoops, stabilizers, threads, etc…and then towards the end of the class, we’ll have a project.

It’s a coaster that I made by using only my embroidery machine (or “in the hoop” as some people call it..). I really think that they’ll be something everyone in class, regardless of age, would like to make. They’re practical, inexpensive to make, and are great gifts. I also liked the idea because it was something I could create in my digitizing program in no time. Of course, the “P” can be replaced by any design imaginable, and the fabric/thread can be whatever you prefer….(Point being that they can still be….individualized?). I’m also going to offer this design for free download here on the website sometime before class starts. I’ll make sure to let you know.

I just think a set of these tied in pretty ribbon would make a great gift…..In fact, I’m going to go design a set to go in my newly arranged/furnished living room. I LOVE my new couch!

Paint, pillows, a few rugs…and matching coasters. Yes..that sounds good..

Have a safe Memorial Day Weekend!!

That my friend, is a very sad finger. Also- a very sore finger (with a very bad manicure..). Tonight, I ran over my right pointer finger(nail) with the needle of my embroidery machine. OUCH! I definitely do not recommend it. Luckily for me, Todd was close (as I panicked) & finally got it to stop bleeding. Don’t you love my decorative band-aid he made for me? I’ll show you what I was up too when I can type a little better.

Happy Monday!

Isn’t that the MOST adorable brooch you have ever seen? I bought it here on Etsy and I think it’s one of my favorite purchases to date. I love it. It really is a vibrant blue color,I just wasn’t able to capture the color very well.

I’ve been way busy for the past couple of weeks, and haven’t done nearly what I wanted/needed to do (like the rest of you, I’m sure..). This afternoon, I embroidered a few burp rags, two blankets , and designed 21 designs. I don’t know if my machine will have a chance to breathe this week.

Big News- The Triplets are here! They (two girls and a boy) were taken by C-Section on Wednesday, and are doing great. Thank You for your prayers.

My sister is due any day now- and especially after seeing the triplets up there, I’m ready to see that little guy!! I’m thinking Thursday, but we’ll see.

More big news-Today, My nephew’s soccer team won overall in their devision at the tournament in Conway this afternoon!! Isn’t that awesome?? I’m so proud of them!

Hope you all have a good week- I’m going to try to get on a better blogging schedule. Thanks for bearing with me and coming back.

Happy Mothers Day Mom- You are the best. Ever.