2015 Crochet-A-Long Block #4 & #5

I'm working on the crochet-a-long over at the Moogly blog

This is block #4

I did not enjoy making it. It took SO long, and it just wasn't one of my favorite!

This is block #5

This one worked up really nicely.  I enjoyed making it!

These are all 5 of  the blocks I've made.

There will be 26 in all.... almost 1/5 of the way done!

Am I *Really* A Crazy Doxie Lady??

Ok.... seriously......

Where do I find this chair??????

I NEED this chair!!!!

Stash Buster

I have quite a stash of yarn. But, it seems that everytime I want to make something new, I don't seem to have "just the right color/weight" of yarn - so, off I go to the store to buy even MORE yarn. 

So, when I saw this pattern, I thought it would be good to make a sofa pillow with my stash.

 

As some of you are probably saying to 

"she's not going to use very much yarn making a sofa pillow"

Well, you're right.... Somehow, I thought I would have used more. 

 But, I AM going to make a second pillow - even a larger pillow 

(because I have a larger pillow form on hand!)

 

I went with a simple Granny Square for the other side.  

I don't make granny squares very often, I forget how much fun they are to make!

  I had so much fun with this stitch. It kept me counting, 

but I didn't have to keep looking at the pattern.

 

2015 Crochet-Along 2 & 3

I'm participating in the Crochet-Along over at the Moogly blog

I have decided to use up by stash of baby yarn, and create a baby blanket. 

 

Here is block #2

 

I love how the colors turned out.

This is block #3

 

I'm hoping that by the time I make all 24 blocks, they will all blend well!

Blocks 1, 2, & 3

 I've already started block 4 - it's going to be green and yellow!

American Girl "Elsa" Hats

Aren't these the cutest?

Do you remember when I made this one last year for my niece?

I actually got several order to make more... it was fun!

Then, when I saw THIS pattern and knew that my sweet nieces would LOVE it!!

It was so fun to make!

It was a super easy and fast pattern.... 

When I first made the hat and attached the snowflake, I put it directly over the braid - in the picture above- But, I moved it a little forward (as you can see at the beginning of the post).  I think I like it better forward

But, as you know... if you've read any of my previous blogs... I have trouble with gauge.

So, in my first attempt - It was just WAY to small, and I had to increase my hook to an "I" hook.

I am just very thankful that I have an AG doll to test out these patterns on.

Happy Valentine's Day

 

When I saw this pattern I knew that I had to make these Heart Wands for some very special girls!

They were so much fun to create!

I mailed 2 of them to my nieces, and they have already received them.

They loved them!!

YAY!!! Success!!!

My plan was to make one for each of my grandchildren, but alas, the oldest is just 3 years old, 

and I KNEW it would be used as a weapon!!

 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Hats

Happy Birthday to my little nephew!

William turned One today!!!

I love to make hats!!!

When I saw crocheted TMNT hats on Pinterest... I thought it would be "perfect" for little William!!

Then, I realized.... how can I make just ONE TMNT hat... I have to make all four!

So, William's 2 sisters and his Grandpa (#1 TMNT fan) each got one!!

I must say..... the Hats were a Hit!!!

I didn't follow a particular pattern to make these hats.  I used a hat pattern from Repeat Crafter Me. Then just improvised the placement of the band of color. Then I just looked for a pattern for the eyes.  (There are lots of them on the internet!)

2015 Crochet-Along

 So, I decided to take on another challenge

Tamara, over at Mooglyblog.com is doing another

Afghan Crochet-Along for 2015

  

We get a new pattern every other week.

I don't really want another afghan.... but for some reason....

I DO want to make one. 

So, I have LOTS of baby yarn in my stash... so, I thought.....

Why not make a baby afghan.  

Then, at the end of the year, I will have a very nice gift for

someone special!! (a new grand baby??)

 I had so much fun making this square.  

I have never made anything quite like it, before.

I am thinking about making it again, with other yarn...

maybe into a pillow or something!

Here is the link to the page with all the deets!

I'm working on the second block... and it's just as much fun....

I hope it stays fun!!

Happy Birthday Erik!

My youngest grandson is going to be 1 this week!

I made him a Star Ball

 It's a puzzle ball that can be taken apart

 I love the colors - I think it will be just perfect for him to grab!

 Here is the link to the pattern for the ball.  

It was fun to put together.  

I hope sweet little Erik has fun with it!!

2015 Personal Crochet/Craft Challenge

I want to do soooo much.

If I fail to plan,

I will plan to fail

I want to make/crochet 12 items  24 items on my VAST "to do" list:

I wanted to make one per month, but, then when I was going through my list.... 

I found SO many more. 

 I tried to just look and see what I would REALLY make.

So, I figure, if I make 2 per month.... I can have it done....

But... that means that I have to somehow fit in my "other" projects...

 that I KNOW will come up.  

But, if I don't do them... 

then, they will never get done.... 

(does that make sense?) 

 I don't know.... 

I just want to do them.... 

And, I thought this was a good way to make it happen. 

So, you will see at the top of my blog, a tab that says:

2015 Personal Challenge

That is what I will be working from... 

in no particular order

I will keep you posted....

right here....

AG Backpacks

I made backpacks for my nieces American Girl dolls.

 

When I was visiting them, I asked them what they wanted me to make 

- and they both said:

BACKPACKS. 

 (So, how could I NOT make them??)

I was a little overwhelmed with Christmas, and did not get them mailed out until the 22nd.  I don't think they are going to get them in time for Christmas... but, maybe the next day.

The whole pattern set is a back pack, hat and vest.  I want to do the hat and vest.  I think that might come int he spring sometime!

2014 Ornaments

I was involved with an ornament exchange this year, through the internet.

I made a crocheted a snowman (similar to the one below)

And, I received THIS one in exchange!!!

I was "over the moon" with excitement!!!!

I mailed this "Cali-Girl" ornament to my niece.  She was raised in California, went to college out of state - and now she is married and lives out of state.  She is the only one I know that says "Cali-girl"!

I made these 3 ornaments for my sweet little grandchildren.  

2 snowmen for the grandsons.

 1 angel for the granddaughter.

 

This is an ornament that I picked up this year. When I was in Virginia earlier in the month we toured a turn of the century "mansion" that was all decorated for Christmas. 

They had a Christmas Tree with a pickle ornament.  They shared the German tradition of a pickle ornament hanging on the tree on Christmas morning - and the first child to spot it, would get a special present.  We looked all over VA for a pickle ornament.

 

When I got back to California, I found one, and bought one for me and one for my nieces.

They were so excited!!!

These are my ornaments for this year.  It was fun to give and to receive these!!