The good thing, however, is that my hooks and needles have been busy.

First, the cutest thing ever would be the horse I made for my great-niece. This is made from a free pattern . (click here for link to pattern)

I stuffed the legs with a heavy weight filler I found at a craft store. It’s like little bitty pebbles. I put some into a ziplock bag which I wrapped several times with strapping tape. This filled the leg of the horse and ensures it will not open, and that the horse will stand.

The hat is not in the pattern. Anna loves the color lello, and she has a lello hat I made her, so it just seemed appropriate to make a lello hat for the horse. Now, to find time to meet up with her and give her this gift. I sure hope she likes it.

While laying down I watched all 14 episodes of ‘Firefly’. I loved that show! I now understand the uproar at its cancellation. At the same time I was watching this, the book “Knits for Nerds” came out. In it is a sweater that resembles the brown dusters they wore the short-lived series. I started it in a size to fit my daughter, she asked for grey.

The stitch pattern on this is 12 rows at 223 stitches per row. So when I screwed up the pattern the first time, I just frogged and started over. The second time I tinked 7 rows of 223 stitches. (You do the math – that’s a lot of stitches tinked off)

After that, I inserted a life line at the end of each repeat (there are 12 repeats) so I can just frog to that point and reinsert the stitches on my needle and move forward.

What is a lifeline? With the stitches on the needles, insert a thinner thread through the loops al the way across the piece. You must be very careful not to knit this thread into the stitch when you begin the next row. This thread now saves the loops of the stitch so that if I must frog "(rip-it rip-it, rip-it) the loops are secured in the thread. No chance of dropping a stitch. Just run a needle through the loops along the thread line and begin to knit.

I joined “CrochetMe” on Facebook with their Easter crochet-along and made Sir Stephen the Bunny.

I purchased a booklet with cocoon patterns and made both of these.

I managed a couple of days with manageable pain during which I redid the counters in my kitchen.  Using a product called “Giani Granite” I transformed my old yellow countertop into a lovely marbletop look.

I am finalizing my notes to send in to the Craft Yarn Council to complete my certification as a crochet teacher (I am currently now certified as an Instructor).  I had to make a garment from my own or a commercial pattern. So I made this cute dress for size 18 months.  My bear was happy to model for me.

This is made from 100% cotton yarn “Cotton Tots”by Bernat.

So, I may not be very communicative, but I have been productive.

I am busy going through what I have in order to attend a craft show next weekend.  Any suggestions on what you look for when you attend a craft show? 

Take care of yourself and keep on stitching.

Several months ago I made these fingerless gloves as a teaching tool for the knitting cables class I teach at Michaels.

These are made to be bulky so they can be worn over a pair of gloves.

I made these from some Caron Simply Soft yarn I had in my stash. This is not the recommended yarn.  Though we had a mild winter this year, I did wear them often – with and without the gloves – and they are already showing wear.

So I decided to make another pair, this time with some Red Heart Super Saver yarn I had in stash.  I finished one glove then got startitis fever and set the project aside.

Browsing one day I found this beautiful victorian style neck warmer.

I went shopping and this yarn jumped into my basket.

Which very quickly became this:

So when we popped in disk 1 of the 55th anniversary blue ray enhanced “The Ten Commandments” I decided to work on the 2nd wristlet.

Unfortunately I forgot I made the 1st one smaller to fit tighter on my hand. Yep, you guessed it.

I am now making another set just like this one

How was your week?

A new project offered in the knitting class at Michaels is this baby kimono. I misread the directions (don’t start a project when pain is high and you can’t concentrate) and made simple mistakes but by the 3rd time I got it right and was able to make this. It wound up taking me several days, but the important thing is it finished.

This is a garter stitch project which uses decrease stitches on the front pieces.

I also created my own pattern when one of the employees told me about needing fingerless gloves while she was unloading the truck. So, I came up with this.

I continue to work toward my knitting and crochet certification through the Craft Yarn Council. I have completed part 1 of crochet and hope to send in part 1 of knitting this weekend. It is then checked for accuracy and I will complete the 2nd half of both.

Do you remember this?

I have seamed all the pieces together and am now finishing a couple of sc rows around the entire thing. I will post a completed picture next week.  This one took a lot of work but I like the way it is coming together.

Hey, that’s a lot for a week.  How was your week?

Until next time,

Remember I found a baby hat kit on sale? Well, I finished it. I don’t like it, but I finished it. You knit or crochet the top portion and attach it to the premade band. Add a pom pom to top and you are finished.  I have pulled out a pattern for some boots that I am going to crochet in the same color. I am hoping this will look better as a set than alone. Here is the finished product. Perhaps if I placed it on a baby I would feel differently.

Amazon has the kit available. (click here)

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While moving things around in my craft room organization attempt I found this doll I made back in 1986.

The original Cabbage Patch doll was just out and I had to search all over the state to find a doll for each of my girls (we were also looking for pound puppies that year too).

I loved the dolls, thought they were so cute, but could not justify in my mind purchasing one for myself. But, I could justify making one!

I found this pattern (which is also available today on Amazon)

I made this one for me.  Though the term “Cabbage Patch” is not used, it definitely has the same appearance as those dolls.

A special memory remains with me, the house was rather quiet and I went looking for the girls. I found my youngest sitting on my bed cuddling this doll.  “The baby was crying mom and I was taking care of her.”

The doll looked a bit ragged today, but she is 25 years old and has been in and out of craft storage containers all these years.  Red Heart yarn sure does hold up!

Looking at the doll and realizing she sure could use a good cleaning, I found this eHow instruction on cleaning vinyl dolls.

I might have to make another one. I wonder if the doll heads are still available.

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Several years ago I crocheted a dinosaur applique and sewed it on a tshirt for my grandson. He has outgrown it so I have removed it from the old tshirt and am applying it to a new one so he can continue to wear it.

The pattern was featured in the March/April 2004 Crochet Today magazine.

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I teach knitting and crochet at my local Michaels store. Next Saturday all Michaels stores will be hosting an Instructor Meet and Greet. From 1-3pm instructors will be at the stores with displays about their classes. I am preparing some material for my table and trying to finish up another demo project – a baby kimono.  Any classes you sign up for that day will be 25% off.  This is a great time to learn or enhance your crafting skills.

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Speaking of my Michaels classes, I did finish a hat which we offer as part of the 3rd knitting  class.  It teaches 3 patterns: Ribbing – Seed Stitch – Stockinette.  It also teaches Increase by knitting in the front and back of a stitch and Decrease by knitting 2 together.

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My website was down for a couple of days because the hosting company had some server problems.  The site is back up now.  I apologize for the inconvenience this created. Hopefully all will function smoothly now.

Until next week, persevere!!

The two bears I was working on – same pattern different yarn sizes – has gone untouched.

I will probably frog the large one and start over as I don’t think I calculated the hook size correctly on the furry part. The small one is at a stand still until until I find the right size buttons/eyes to finish the face and close up the head.

The kit with the bear and socks is in the seam and accessorize stage.

I am working to complete part 1 of the knitting certification and hope to concentrate long enough to get it prepped and sent off by the weekend.

I was looking around at old photos and found this.  Last year my grandson and I started the first of his 4 holographic Star Wars puzzles.  Through the year we finished all 4 puzzles. I covered each on with several coats of Mod Podge on the back then connected the 4 into a box with black duct tape.  Decorative chain was added to the top and I handed it to my daughter with a swivel ceiling hook.  This now hangs and spins in my grandson’s bedroom.

For Christmas my daughter made up this “Snickerdoodles in a Jar” gift so we had a tasty treat to snack on this week. My husband wanted to be they didn’t go to waste, so he left me the empty container with a question wondering what would go in it next.

I have set up a whiteboard near my desk which I try to keep a list of TO DO items on. I find I focus better with this direction in front of me. I just found this awesome “DIY Rotating Goal List” with a link to a tutorial to make it. I might be starting another project today (Or I will at the very least get around to using the system I already have.)

I am starting a couple more projects from my teaching patterns for Michaels. We will be having a ‘meet the instructor’ day March 3 from 1 to 3pm. If there is a Michaels near you, consider visiting that day. There will be a discount for any classes you sign up for that day, so you can plan to learn or improve your cake decorating, jewelry making, scrapbooking, knitting, crochet, etc.

My craft room is still intact, I just need to find time to sit in there and soak up the craft energy it has to offer me.

I am still working on putting squares together for 3 blankets by the end of the month. I hear my stash calling now. Until next time, keep on crafting.

So much yarn, so little time.

This bear is dressed with a red ribbon around the neck. Attached to one paw is a scroll with Scripture of love promises for Jesus’ beloved.

The picture shows a clipart of chocolates, but I will include a real mini box of chocolate.

The bear comes in 3 color styles. He/She is 15 inches head to paw and sits 10 inches high.

Valentines Day can be depressing sometimes. This would be a perfect gift for someone you may know.

If you live near me, we can meet up and no shipping charges would be incurred.

If you wish, you may order, but I can make no promise about the delivery date via the Postal Service. I will, however, have it at the post office within 24 hours of payment received. So if you hurry, there should not be a problem receiving it by the 14th.

The bear is $15 and if shipped, an additional $5. (More if you want express delivery) I will accept cash from a local purchase. All others will be billed via PayPal. No exceptions, sorry.

Please click on the “contact me” tab with any questions or purchase request.

Oh, but I did manage to knit up something in just a few hours. 

It looks like a heart, just in time for Valentines Day. But it is actually a mitten that can be worn by two people.  Your left hand goes in one side, his right hand in the other and you can hold hands while walking on a cold Valentine evening!

This pattern is offered by CoCoKnits and can be downloaded free from their website. (click here)  This looks like fun.  I haven’t shown my valentine yet.  It is knitted in the round on circular needles size 13 and 15.  I didn’t have the right size circulars so I knitted these flat then stitched the seams. If you decide to try this, remember that when you knit in the round you just knit every row and get the stockinette stitch. When you knit flat, alter the pattern to knit one row, purl one row.

At the Michaels where I teach knitting and crochet, we have been collecting squares from customers to make into blankets.  I started stitching together the first one from the squares.

We collected enough to be able to make 4 blankets plus other miscellaneous I come up with from remaining squares (perhaps scarves, wristlets, hats).  These will be given to a local charity when completed. Thank you to all who contributed.

Oh, I don’t think I showed you my latest pair of fingerless gloves.  I completed these over several nights while resting during a high pain session.  I had to stop numerous times so it took longer than it should have. 

My husband and I enjoy the BBC show “Doctor Who” so these TARDIS mittens were definitely placed on the TO DO list when I saw the pattern posted on KnitVentures. I have designed a matching hat in my head. I just need to get it onto paper and the needles.

Until next week,

Yep, that describes me this week.

I added a ClosetMaid cubby shelving unit to my craft room hoping to continue in its progress.

I did get a couple of teddy bears finished before the state of confusion set in:

The second one is from a book entitled: Knitted Bears: All Dressed Up! (Twenty to Make) . I still have trouble bringing personality to face of the bear.

Oh, and along with my teddy bear fetish, my daughter and her friend Krista came over. Krista had 2 1/2 week old Sebastian with her. While talking a Build-A-Bear bear dressed as a Jedi was spotted on s shelf. We took the outfit off the bear and tried it on the baby (with 2 babw light sabers).

I added several more patterns to my digital library.  You know, it would take several life times to complete all the projects in my possession, but I still add to it and dream.

Maybe one day I will make this. (sigh) Oh well, on to the next project! Until next week,

Death Star found at: http://www.yarnydoom.com/2011/04/free-death-star-pattern/

wanted it to be small for baby mobile. Used F hook and I Love This Yarn W.W.

Petite Brimmed Cap: http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Hats-Scarves-Gloves/Easy-to-Crochet-Petite-Brimmed-Cap-from-Red-Heart-Yarn

Panda and Teddy are approximately 6 inches tall.

This “Gift Bear” holds a gift card in the front pocket.

I then looked with frustration at the disaster that is my craft room.

and struggled to make it look like this:

There really is a carpeted floor under all that!!  I found a lot more “unfinished” items in the mess to add to my list. I also managed to fill a trash bag to dispose of and 3 bags were sent straight to Goodwill before I could change my mind.

It seems sometimes like the more I try to get ahead, the further behind I get. For example, finding more works in process. But I have learned that I work best when I have a TO DO list in front of me. That is how this blog is currently helping me. It’s a TO DO list and commitment to myself to move forward. 

So, I added a few more items to my ‘unfinished projects’ list and I still started a couple more teddy bears for fun.  I’ll post some of those pictures next week.

Until then, my unfinished life goes on,