Crochet: Purse (w/ wood handles) Project

I started a new project to crochet. It called for rayon cord but that is terribly hard to find with JoAnn's being on the opposite side of JAX and not even sure if they carry it for that matter. SO - I found a blue and yellow skein that was waiting to be loved. I was thinking that I would make a stripe pattern in it with only hints of yellow - maybe a stripe of yellow randomly? I can't decide so if you have any suggestions, let me know!!!

I'm going to a women's retreat this weekend in Daytona so I have 2 hours in the car (riding) and coming back and randomly thru the weekend so I hope to finish it then (as well as my pink cowl!!).

Here's one of the pieces/panels to my Amy Butler (pattern) Messenger Bag. This has taken forever to transpire and is a nightmare in the making. I spent a lot of time studying the pattern and looking for "home decorater" fabric that was affordable and cute. When I found it, I made the mistake of getting the liner and exterior fabric yardage mixed up. So, now my lining that I chose has to be the exterior fabric. Not the end of the world but still a bummer. It took a couple hours to cut out all the pieces (It has like 25 of them including a set of lining of duck cloth to line the lining). I finally started actually sewing it and I got to step 7 of the 13 step instructions and realized that I had sewn the front pocket and zipper section SIDEWAYS!! The instructions are either pretty bad or I'm totally out of practice. I have to find my seam ripper and spend a LOT of time dissecting all the "progress" that I made. I would have already scrapped the project but I've invested $10 in the pattern and $40 in fabric and notions. I'm so frugal (and I really WANT the finished product) so I'm determined to finish my "cooling off" stage and start rippin' and resewing. On the plus side, I'm ALMOST done with my cowl scarf/hood!!! Woohoo.

Current Crochet Project

This week's crochet projects is a PINK (Molly would be so proud) hooded cowl/scarf. I've crocheted one skein and I was hoping it would only need 2 skeins but now it looks like a 3 banger. I need to run to Michael's while the Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick is still on sale for $5. The pattern is from Bernat (picture of black one is from Bernat's website FYI) and it's basically a single crochet/double crochet "in the round" pattern. Using my biggest crochet hook - which I believe is size P. (Love plastic hooks by the way. Thought I'd be a metal fan...) Easy peasy and going quickly. I accidentally made it 39" circumference instead of 29" on the first try and had to unravel and start over. It's still too big but I'm going to try to see it through and maybe keep it big. We'll see. Hopefully I won't hate it and have to redo it AGAIN after I do all three skeins!!!

Need to find a good pattern for a simple apron (wrap). I'd like pockets in it. Almost like a tool belt for a housemom/crafter.

Went to Jo-Ann's yesterday and my eyes were bigger than my stomach. I found LOTS of fabric that I loved but didn't have any projects for them (yet). I think I'll start using this blog as my idea book. My current idea book has a bunch of articles/mag torn pages just crammed into it for the most part. Perhaps digitizing will help/force me to organize it. Any ideas on what to make with the likes of the photos of fabric? I'm on a pink and blue kick it appears. Perhaps I need to make some baby gifts and store them for gifts etc. Diaper Bag? Hmmm...

Premiere Blog

I have blogged for years, but the focus of all my blogging was my kids and I guess now that they're in grade school, it's not as interesting of a blog (but that doesn't stop me!). Anyway, I've finally had more time to be a dilettante. I love to sew, crochet and craft (with most any medium). I can knit but I'm not good at it. So - here's my blog of stuff and nonsense...I mean projects...that I've done. This is my show off page so I can send the link to my mom and a friend or 2. My audience will be a handful of people at best but I think blogging is more release for the blogger. Blogging is generally a lousy way to show off. No one reads your blog unless you've advertised it (and even 98% of those bloggers still only have a small readership). I guess I'll stop my ranting and go take some pics. Words aren't as fun as the pics, right? :)