FM 11/30/09

Hi. I hope all of you have had a Happy Thanksgiving (or a happy Thursday) and are ready to face (_eek_) December. I almost have the lion finished (needs eyes, nose and a mouth - and to be sewn together). I decided to shop my stash as opposed to hitting a Black Friday sale. Definitely cheaper and easier, plus I can do that in my pjs. I rediscovered yarn in my stash that I forgot about. So under the guise that I got a cut in pay (I did) I will be using this newly discovered yarn to craft Christmas presents. Nothing that fancy, a hat, a scarf, a cowl. But I will be using up the yarn I have already paid for, so it should be a more inexpensive Christmas.
Speaking of Christmas (and before we get sucked into December), maybe you might want to shop your stash (if you have one) and create presents for your recipients this year. I know, some people don't like "homemade gifts". If that's the case, don't stress yourself out over it. Just spend what you can afford on the person and chalk it up to their loss, not yours. They are the one missing out on the gift, not you. For the other folks, consider if, for example, they are waiting for a bus in the cold. A colorful scarf will really feel good on a cold winter's day. Kids are always losing hats - and I intend to make a few for my great nephews. I'm sure it won't be the thrill of the year, but I have a joint gift for them, this is just a little something extra.
I am saying (even though it only has a little bit to do with crochet) is be gentle with yourself. Don't fret over making 20 different cookies or decorating the house down to the cat bowls - unless that's your thing and you like doing that. Your family doesn't want you all frazzled and undone for the holidays - they want you to be present, in the moment, enjoying what's happening in front of you. You can't do that if you're worrying about the credit card bills or how you're going to find time to take the bunny to get his picture taken with Santa Claus, The economy is in the toilet and I don't think financial recovery is coming for at least 2 more years. (nope, I don't have any insider knowledge, just a guess.) So consider your stress level and your bank account level and make the adjustments you need to make so you and yours can have a good holiday.
oops, I'm ranting again, aren't I? well let me shut up and give you some sites that you can get some ideas for your presents without breaking the bank....

Sweater Babe has some amazing free patterns on her site. Check these out for some holiday cheer.
http://blog.sweaterbabe.com/knitting/2009/11/quick-crochet-projects-for-holiday-giftgiving.html

I thought this was interesting - I would have loved this when I was a girl. I have no small girls to crochet for, but it's still cute - crocheting dolls
http://www.byhookbyhand.blogspot.com/

This is a tiny teddy, not suitable for small kids but could be good for a tween or a teen, Or maybe somebody that just needs the comfort of a teddy bear with him or her....
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=289504.msg3296032#msg3296032


This is cool - the never ending granny square
http://debscrafts55.blogspot.com/2007/12/never-ending-blanket-square.html


This is an interesting stitch and it looks great - a slant stitch scarf
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2007/06/my-june-scarf-slant-stitch.html

See these fish? I'm sure they are going to make their way into one great nephew's gift pile. Maybe even two..
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2008/07/learn-your-colors-fish-counting-toy.html

This is a lovely scarf, plus it's a little different than a striped scarf - check it out.
http://www.crochetmagazine.com/newsletters.php?mode=article&article_id=389

This is beautiful - a graceful shawl
http://www.maggiescrochet.com/free-graceful-shells-poncho-pattern-p-184.html

Again, with the teddy bears, it's a teddy bear afghan
http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/Jeanaries/Teddyghan-N-Friends.html

And for those who prefer the light look of filet, here's teddy bear filet pattern
http://crochetpatternsonly.blogspot.com/2005/09/teddy-bear-square-copyright-to-judith.html

Here are some toys that look cool. Yeah it's not Bakugan or that stripey monesr thing, but still cool....
http://barbscraftbooks.tripod.com/barbscrochet/id128.html


And last, but certainly not least, a gift for you - Caron is giving away a free full size skein of their Country yarn. You just have to go to this site for details
http://www.caron.com/free_sample.html


As usual, I don't receive any compensation for mentioning these sites to you. I just want to share what I have found.

_enjoy_

Freebie Monday April 27, 2009

I've spent so much time at work, I don't even have time to crochet. But I'm still crocheting when I can. Too bad I can't crochet with my feet.....

If you're in the Maryland area, the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival
is this coming weekend. There's a lot to look at (from sheep to
shawl, various exhibits of needlework with wool) and of course, lots
to buy - if you choose to. Currently they are calling for rain on the festival days, but that will probably change 6 times before Saturday. If you want to buy any of the festival gear (t-shirt, bag), I'd advise buying it online. The line is extremely long at the festival and while you're in line, waiting for your stuff, somebody else (maybe me) will be buying up all the good yarn and accessories. Admission is free
http://sheepandwool.org/

For those of you around Portland, Oregon, you might want to check out the Mandy Greer exhibit at the MCC - here's a little taste
http://www.fiberarts.com/back_issues/April-May-2009/mandy-greer.asp

This coral reef video shows the relationship between the math and the crocheted coral reef.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/margaret_wertheim_crochets_the_coral_reef.html


How to crochet a bunny nose (among other things)
http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-crochet-bunny-nose/

Here's a cool beret pattern from Australia
http://cats-rockin-crochet.blogspot.com/2009/04/beret-with-simple-cross-stitch-free.h

How about having a ball? Here's a free Roxycraft toy pattern
http://www.roxycraft.com/crochet_play_ball.htm

This is cool looking - a v-stitch hat
http://www.crochetcabana.com/Patterns/Hats/sassy-stripes-double-v-hat.pdf

And here's what you could really use - a free crochet pattern from SweaterBabe
http://www.sweaterbabe.com/wwmag/

This is for a boy's fishing hat, but you could decorate it any way you wanted to
http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2007/08/gone-fishin-boys-hat-c.html

The designer for this one (and she knows best, she designed it) said this is a great little doily. But I think it could make a great motif for an afghan. You check it out and decided for yourself.
http://www.jpfun.com/patterns/free/doilies/f111011simplysmall.shtml


This is so pretty - it's called "Mollie Flowers"
http://littlegreen.typepad.com/romansock/2009/04/mollie-flowers-the-tutorial.html

As usual, I receive no payola for listing these links. I will be at the Sheep and Wool and if they want to shower me with gifts I will take them, but I doubt that's going to happen;)

freebie Monday

Some of you celebrate Halloween and would like to have some cool Halloween designs. Personally, I like November 1, one of the "Half Price Candy" holidays that occur about 5 times a year. But we're not here to talk about my Milky Way addiction, are we?

The link today
http://www.crochetmemories.com/newsletters/070912.html

is from Cylinda Matthews cool ezine, "The Crochet Corner"*. You may have seen M's Matthews work in some of the "Annie's Attic" publications or perhaps at your local craft store. She does great work with thread. You'll see the result of the work in the "Top Notch Ghost" that she uses to make a fridge magnet. You could easily attach a pin to the back and wear it on your clothes for Halloween.

There's even free Halloween recipes, just in case you were planning a party or maybe your kid (s) school was having a party. While you're visiting the site, check out the "crinoline girls". They are amazing.

If you are thinking about the cooler weather that happens around Halloween, you might want to check out this site:http://www.sweaterbabe.com/WordPressBlog/
You may know "Sweaterbabe"* from her book. If you subscribe to her newsletter (until September 30, 2007), you get a free crochet scarf pattern using the star stitch. Sweaterbabe alternates free crochet patterns with free knit patterns. Her newsletter is pretty cool, too. The star stitch featured is not quite the star stitch I remember using, but crochet stitches seem to have many different names.

_enjoy_

*the usual disclainer, nope, I get no kickbacks.