INSOMNIAC with a hook

2022-05-01T05:57:00.000-07:00

Still sewing and creating. This wall hanging/quilt was made at the recent quilt show in Lakeland Florida. My mom and I attended and took classes, such fun!

My life is busier than ever. I am going to post more here on my blog recently have stepped away from social media although I really never was much for social media Instagram became a bit of an obsession for a while and I do enjoy the inspiration I do not enjoy the comparisons and the fakeness of peoples posts about their lives. Its not real. I need to be real in my life. Recently having my 60th birthday I am changing how I do things.. More me! I want this to be my best year yet! Stay tuned.

still plays will dolls..

2021-02-21T09:46:00.001-08:00

My new job has prevented me from having a lot of creative time, but I still have that old issue of insomnia. I made this little beauty over the last few weeks. She is adorable but I see some errors or issues should I say. I will probably use pipe cleaners or wires in her legs and neck. I am still learning to photograph and will continue to work on that. The pattern can be found on Etsy, pattern is easy to follow and she has adorable clothes to go with her dolls.

Crazy times

2020-06-28T11:24:00.003-07:00

I am not sure what made me return to my old friend blogger today. I once thought my life could not get any crazier..I was wrong. These times are changing by the hour and we are all looking for some comfort in our days of anxiety. I started this blog in 2007, while going through a trial for a sexual assault on my then 16 year old daughter. To say these times were stressful is putting it mildly. I did not sleep much at all. So, I decided a good outlet for my anxiety would be to blog.

I crocheted my whole life and this was something I turned to as a form of therapy many times. I did not call it therapy but looking back that is what is was and while I was up many nights crocheting to occupy my mind, I came up with the idea of "Insomniac with a hook" to document my journey.

Recently with Covid 19 hitting our country, I am reminded of those sleepless times and once again I find myself up very late with my hook. Lets see where this journey takes me.

This blanket was a challenge from my mother to given to me and my sister Dawn. The challenge was to come up with a quilted or crocheted blanket of something Covid related. My blanket was a interpritation of the actual covid spore you see so often on the news. Working on this, the planning the crocheting the sewing in of ends, kept me busy many weeks. While researching, I found many colors of the covid spore and that is how I came up with my blanket.

Wool Eater Done!

2013-08-23T06:03:00.000-07:00

Wool Eater finally done...I call it the blanket of pain. I started this during a really rough time in my life in order to try and focus on something other than the pain. I love the process, great pattern. This baby is huge and heavy. Sorry for all the dark pictures its been raining nonstop for a week or so. I love it did not measure yet wanted to take pics outside on the grass, maybe soon. This blanket was made of scraps mostly Vanna's yarn some others. I went with the theory what color looks good next. No rhyme or reason ! TGIF!

PS. Blogger is not my friend. I canot post like usual! I dont know why the writing is in the middle..UGGG

Random Stuff and a WIP

2013-08-02T09:00:00.001-07:00

Real Random stuff. First of all the top picture is what I saw on Pinterest. My last post is what I purchased to copy it. Then walking through Joanns I saw the exact same jewelry holder and POW I have the same one! I still like hers better but It will work. Showing how I display on my fridge. Why my pictures loaded up so crazy I dont know they are not in any particular order. Thanks Blogger!

Feeling scattered these days. The heat is getting to me. I remember in the snow rushing to get in from the cold. Now I rush to get into the cold from the heat!.
I started another Stack and Whack quilt. The fabric is kissing booth. I love it.
I am not a WIP person.. I start a project and then finish it. I dont like things hanging around. But I actually have a few crochet projects floating around. I feel unfinished and scattered. I know I have issues. Anyway this ripple is actually left over yarns all sorts! I am just changing colors as I feel, no rhyme or reason! I never do that I always have to have a plan. I feel like such a rebel!
I use Susan B from Kansas, I love it, it is my go to ripple. I have been using this pattern for years. It comes out a great size and she gives options.
Have a great weekend..

Quilt finish!

2013-07-25T12:35:00.004-07:00

Finished quilt, fabric is Ticklish by Moda...Love it.

My Ross/TJ Maxx finds

2013-07-16T06:02:00.001-07:00

I really need to stay off Pinterest. Now I have the app for my phone its addicting. These are my two finds from TJ Maxx. I paid 6.99 each. The dishcloth display I saw on Pinterest. I like hers better and will still search but this is ok for now. I have this displayed on top of my fridge! Yes I made most of the potholders although I would never actually use them. Some are from garage sales.

Saturday Snippets

2013-07-13T05:35:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday! I cannot believe how the weeks fly by and its the end of July almost! After my flag afghan I decided to do something mindless and easy my old standby pattern sideways shell, with some clearance yarn from Joann's I purchased a Ton of it for 1.99. I love the way the yarn pools. I try to make my baby afghans with little or no holes, so babies toes and fingers dont go through. I purchased a new Japanese crochet book from Etsy. I love it! You have to be able to read charts obviously.

Gorgeous yarn I picked up from Tuesday morning for 3 dollars a skein..Im thinking a knit hat this winter.

Working on a quilt also try to complete a block or two before work each day. Its the dog days of summer here, it is so brutally hot your wet and nasty as soon as you leave the house to get to your car. Its misery. Thank god for AC I barely leave the house this time of year except to go to work and store! Hope you enjoy your Saturday.

Happy Fourth and a afghan reveal!

2013-07-01T11:59:00.003-07:00

Happy Fourth.. busy time of year. I started this blanket on our Mini vacation over the Memorial day weekend. Finished this morning. I followed pattern from leisure arts web site. Exact yarn and amounts. I am glad its done. I am over it. I am not good at showing progression of a project, like others are. I put myself under a deadline. Just a personal goal..Not the greatest of ideas. I hooked before work and a few rows after work since the Memorial day weekend. Its actually amazing I get anything done. Chow!

Bloglovin baby!

2013-06-18T16:22:00.001-07:00

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Jumping on the bandwagon! Been so busy with work trying to finish up a project! See you soon!

LOVE!

2013-05-28T09:43:00.001-07:00

I just love this Valance...Its on my to do list! Please stop by Once upon a pink Moon. You will be glad you did! Hope everyone had a great weekend...I sure did out of town with my family.

Some Hooky Business

2013-05-22T05:52:00.000-07:00

See this lovely blanket pattern... I saw it and had to buy this pattern. It was in my shopping cart Etsy. I tried to pay and something went wrong. I contacted seller and she said I will no longer sell this pattern. I did not ask why, but was very disappointed, I mean it was for sale? So I copied this pictures and sat down with my hook and was able to replicate with no pattern. I of course would not try to sell or distribute. But I buy patterns to support designers. I myself used to write patterns its a major pain in the you know what.
Its writing re writing..hooking, pulling out. I love it and was very sorry not to be able to purchase to support this girl. Have a great day.

A quilt finish

2013-05-20T04:35:00.001-07:00

Amy Butler Soul Blossoms and Lark. I finished border yesterday while my grandaughter was resting.
I love this quilt. The fabrics are great. It has great color and is very modern.

Lilly Love!

2013-05-16T06:48:00.004-07:00

I am totally smitten with this pattern. So very well written and fun! It went so quickly. I worked on it some on vacation and then before and after work at my leisure. Its 42 inches around. I used Lion brand Cotton ease, I had problems with the yarn had tons of knots or breaks in the yarn. I had 8 in one skein but thats a whole other post. I just wanted to reveal this beauty. You will be able to buy this pattern from the talented Lisa at Goodknits real soon! CLICK HERE

Busy Bee!

2013-05-13T06:35:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled to be asked to be a pattern tester for Lisa at Goodknits. Project is almost complete.

I am working on another quilt..Fabric is Lark by Amy Butler

Had a wonderful Peaceful Mothers day with my Son and his wife..and my two grandbabies! Have a great Monday.

Tumbler quilt

2013-04-29T07:41:00.005-07:00

Finished this tumbler quilt this weekend. It came out great..I love the fabric line, its from Moda. Cannot seem to remember the name of the fabric.

As I was handsewing on the binding I was remembering...falling asleep when I was a child hearing the humming of the sewing machine, my mother had a sewing area in our kitchen my dad built. We have talked about it and she would sew after us kids went to bed at night and she also suffered from insomnia. I am going to visit her this week in PA. Be back soon! We plan on sewing as much as possible.

Sunshine

2013-04-22T06:36:00.001-07:00

My son forced us to take a couple days off. We have so much going on in our personal lives that my wonderful son held down the fort at work while we took a few days to regroup.
I often forget I live in the Sunshine state...The vacation capital of the world. I can walk to the beach from my house.
But I get so wrapped up in daily life and working that I dont realize how beautiful it is here. I am lucky. I am trying to focus on what is important in my life and so much of it is good. I am staying away from the computer and checking in on friends and blogs only once a week. I am taking things one day at a time as they say.

We went out to one of the many islands around our area and it was amazing, peaceful. I knitted booties for charity and Tom fished. We stayed out from morning till dark! I took a picture of a sponge because we live in Tarpon Springs, and the water had a lot of conch in it. Tom is holding up one.. You can eat them but its against the law to take them from the water. We had a wonderful time.

Ruby Shawl

2013-03-25T14:41:00.000-07:00

Not my favorite pattern..Hard to follow but loved results! Thanks Pammy Sue for your encouragement, and Teresa Kasner for the inspiration. You can purchase pattern on Ravelry.

Blogger get together...a wonderful day!

2013-03-22T09:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was fortunate to meet up with Meredith from Mereknits....She and I spoke recently about meeting because we live in the same area. A new yarn store/coffee shop opened recently here and we decided to meet there. When I arrived I was so very suprised to meet Kate!!! The Garden Bell. What a wonderful afternoon we had. We talked for hours and probably could have chatted all night. We also were texting with Pammy Sue. Forgive my pictures I was so excited to see Kate I forgot to take good pictures.
I had such a wonderful time I cannot wait to do it again! Thank you ladies. Now I know how close Meredith and I live I am sure we will get together again!
The pictures are of the lovely Vera Bradley Wallet from Kate! I love Vera Bradley
and Talented Meredith made the baby chick pin, and the crocheted eggs.

Pineapple Love!

2013-03-12T07:24:00.001-07:00

Get your daily serving of fruit! I love Pineapples!

Throw link

Shawl Link

Weekend accomplishemnts

2013-03-11T08:37:00.000-07:00

Had some me time this weekend. Worked on my color card scarf, copied Vicki Howells. Hers is knit and I will be doing it in knit because this has poor drape and although I like... it not loving it. Started a new shawl..Ruby its on Ravelry for purchase. Says it was tested by several testers but I found an error on row 6 Ugg after I had started and restarted 6 times. Now I received an email that yes indeed there is an error. So do I scrap it, or try and continue. I really don't need another WIP. Before the Internet I never had a WIP. I would select a project usually an afghan, purchase the yarn. Make the project and done. Never had a stash or a billion patterns. I don't always feel great about a stash..Feels like gluttony.

I need to amend this post to include that I was inspired by the Beautiful, talented Teresa Kasner for my shawl. I am still posting from my laptop, quickly posted from my work computer today....bad girl. So thats why I forgot the link and the inspiration of Teresa. I dont currently know how to do much from my Macbook given to me by my kids Tom and Rachel so thats why I cannot post the link. I am not a person good with computers.

Hat

2013-02-25T11:55:00.005-08:00

Hat made with Wool east thick and quick. Takes aprox two hours. This hat looks great on anyone.

You can Purchase the pattern through Etsy Jane Richmond. Autumn hat.

Birthday

2013-02-24T17:58:00.001-08:00

Birthday, a photo by deebriese on Flickr.

My 51'st birthday! Via Instagram. My grandchildren joined me on my birthday, my daughter-in-law took pictures! My son was at Daytona!

Doll Blanket for Coco

2013-02-17T08:41:00.001-08:00

Doll blanket for my grandaughter Coco..She loves her babies. Inspired by Lucy of Attic 24.
Not much time to create when I work six days. Did this while doing laundry. I am detecting a color scheme.

dont mind my pictutres my computer is once again on the fritz need my son to fix. Not sure what I am doing on this laptop.

Popcorn pillow

2013-02-04T15:09:00.002-08:00

Popcorn pillow I made the other night while I could not sleep...No pattern..Saw a picture and just followed it by eye..