my grandmother is precious

The first Christmas after I learned to crochet I aspired to make everyone in my family an afghan. Since this aspiration hit in late October, and I tend to procrastinate even in the presence of inspiration, afghans quickly turned to lap blankets, which quickly turned into ... scarves. Most of which were never finished.

This year I set out to make a lap blanket for my Grandma. It was tops on my to-do list for over a month and half (attention span allowing of course). She's very important to me and every time I see her she's tinier and more frail. I hope she'll be with me for many more Christmases to come - but it was important to me to make the blanket this year.

After selecting the "this is so my grandma" pattern (even though it's so not me - well, until I'm in my 80's anyway), editing it to my own OCD standards (omitting large tacky leaves), and selecting her favorite colors (a la the infamous "orchid room") I was off to work.

Yesterday marked the completion of the gift, and today I gave it to her.

She was thrilled and absolutely adorable... even when she boldly stated she was glad it wasn't a shawl because she didn't want one of those (I suspect because she feels only "old" ladies wear shawls).

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cameo flapper

I can always tell I'm in the fall spirit when I mix vintage tees, long cardigans, and my spiced pumpkin late habit with crocheting flapper hats.

This one consumed me today. It's quite literally the biggest flower I've ever put on a hat. It's also my attempt at creating a pattern for a rose. I think the pattern still needs a little perfecting but I'm happy with the color combination. The ivory and pale blue remind me of a cameo brooch and highlight one of my fashion favorites - incorporating light spring colors into a fall/winter wardrobe.

But essentially, for me, it's the first day of autumn.

Short N Sweet

I finally finished the Short N Sweet Bolero (also from Stitch N Bitch - surprise, surprise) and wore it to work today.

Confession: I didn't even tell my coworkers I made it when they complimented me on my sweater. They all know I crochet and since this is my first garment creation I was thrilled beyond belief that no one asked if I made my sweater. I want to look creative and chic not "crafty".

Sunday Funday Fasion Show

So of course I crochet but do I actually wear the items I make in public? But of course!

Pictured above top: me preparing to see if our lottery ticket was in fact the "golden ticket" at Fair Park during my beau and I's Fair Day adventure. Note the crochet market bag. I made these all summer long and have yet to run out of uses for them. Note also my fondness for Mexican party dresses and moccasins. (Aside: free market bag to anyone who wants to mail me a Mexican party dress in exchange)

Pictured also above: my beau and I at the Dallas World Aquarium. Note: my flapper hat with yellow carnation accent flower. Note also that yellow carnations symbolize rejection and disappointment - two things I experienced firsthand from the bird I tried to befriend in the third level rain forest portion of the aquarium.

skull pot-holders

I've spent all weekend making these and I must confess I love them! I love home crafts and "nesting" in general so anything that puts a quirky edge on those activities is so me.

I began this little project as a way to teach myself to read crochet graphs (I have a large butterfly afghan project to undertake) and quickly fell in love with it. My first completed skull potholder was in pink and white. I next did the pink and yellow - and then it hit me.... could variegated yarn look like confetti and therefore create a Dia de los Muertos skull pot-holer... I next made my two "confetti" potholders and have plans to make many more with all of the kitchen cotton I have laying around.

The pattern is from Debbie Stroller's Stitch N' Bitch - one of my all time favorite crochet pattern books.

sweet pea swap

I recently participated in a "swap" on a crochet forum I frequent. Pictured above are the items I sent my swap partner Caroline:

1. a little lucky buddha for pocket sized protection;
2. a soy friendship candle;
3. amber insence resin;
4. Anna Karenina by Tolstoy;
5. a thread crochet bookmark;
6. a leaflet of shawl patterns; and
7. a SWEET PEA SHAWL from Debbie Stroller's Stitch and Bitch.

I made the shawl in Classic Elite Flash, a mercinized cotton yarn that drapes nicely is soft to the touch. She mentioned her favorite colors were blues and greens which is the reason I selected this slightly variegated hue. She received her package yesterday - I hope she enjoys it.

She sent me a box full of lovely things as well and I will post pictures soon.