Every Day I'm Rippling..

I am sure any blogger who crochets who has done a ripple has had "Every day I'm rippling" in high rotation in their head!

My youngest daughter has a mermaid themed bedroom, so a ripple seemed quit apt - you know, the waves and all....

I had a couple of abandoned attempts at a ripple with some of the girls in my quilt group when we were away, and oh the frustration when I just couldn't work out where I was going wrong. It was frogged, and crocheted, and frogged and crocheted and frogged again, I just couldn't stand it anymore. I put it to one side and forgot about it for a while.

When visiting one of my all time favourite crafty stores - Calico and Ivy, which has sadly closed down now I came across "200 ripple stitch patterns" by Jan Eaton (to knit and crochet)and grabbed it... I came across a basic pattern and knew that with my limited crocheting skill that I could actually produce a ripple for my little mermaid. So back in March, I took a visit to Spotlight and picked up some great colours that co-ordinate with her room and set to it.

Finally after many nights in front of the TV, and a few chilly days wrapped up under it, I finished it last week. Ta da! Miss Nearly 7 is delighted, and so am I. It has given me the confidence to get a little more adventurous with crochet.

It is a tad hot to sit under it to sew the ends in, so it has been put to one side again, until the weather turn cooler and I will have it ready for winter for her!

I Had An Urge

So the machine came out and I sewed...just a little...Binding onto VHC. Emma quilted it and you can read about that here. She is so talented and the turn around is so quick and so beautifully done that unless I want to hand quilt off it goes to Emma.


I also finally sent off my RR quilt to Emma for quilting, see here for a closer look at the fabulous quilting. I think we did this about 3 years ago, with some of my quilty friends, I love the blocks. Sadly I think I was having a moment when I chose my fabrics, I wish I loved it more. Next step is to bind it but what I had in mind from my stash is too red....so need to make a purchase!


I also started putting together the "Bless You" blocks. This was going to go to my sister and her new hubby but I don't think it is going to suit them, so instead it will go to my brother in law and his wife - it will go better with their things. So....need to pull out all stops to make something for my sister now! I have sewn 24 blocks of 64 for Bless You. Planning on getting as many done as possible this Easter long weekend.

And some crochet for good measure!


Please excuse terrible pics - DSLR is dead and the little point and shoot ain't so good!

Rainy Day Fun

Today I am having the PERFECT day! Exercise and craft!!!

It started with an unintentional sleep in, which resulted in a mad rush to get out the door to school on time. this is not like our family at all ;) however I am usually up early and organised!

Home to do an hour of chores then a PT session, my first workout since THE WALK. All upper body and I am a little concerned about the state of me come Saturday now. I am flying to Melbourne tomorrow for our annual jaunt to Flemington however between hobbling in heels and trying to drink champers after this mornings workout, I think it will be an interesting look for me!

THEN some crochet. I now have this little pile of grany squares for Zoe - she wanted the granny squares and I chose the colours. Have to say, loving it!


Also some time on the machine. My step sister had a new bubba boy, Archer, very early last Sunday morning so this quilt will be for him. Planning on more time on this afternoon! Who cares if the rains has stopped, any time is perfect for quilty time, right!?

Christmas Crochet

Back in November, I did a Christmas Crochet class at my new favourite store, Calico and Ivy. These were my first 2 attempts. I made them as Chistmas gifts and for our own little tree we had this year - crocheted about 20 of them all up.

I am really enjoying crochet and plan on getting more practice this year in between my quilting!

Hooked

I am loving crochet. I am not good at it, and I am yet to move beyond the granny square... ut there is plenty of time for that. I wanted to work with something not so woolly and thick as the DK I bought for my first efforts (that blanket is coming along beautifully though there is still a way to go) so I bought some 100% mercerized cotton. It is super slippery but I love the look. I am going to make a throw for our new bedroom out of these colours. I am loving the "antiquey" look it has about it! Stay tuned, but but don't hold your breath...I won't get back to this until my little list of WIP's for the remainder of 2012 are done and dusted. With a 3 day crafty weekend coming up next month, I know I will make a substantial dent in that list! Bring it on girls!

The Happiest Hooker

It clicked, it fell into place and I am on the way to making a big Granny Square throw for our new lounge in the family room once the reno is complete. I take it with me just about EVERYWHERE I go, and even considered taking it to the movies today to hook away whilst the kids watched The Smurfs - though I did decide to relive my childhood and actually watch the movie! My technique is far from perfect, my tension is all over hte place but I am Love Love Loving it and am nervous about what will become of this obsession!

Not a Happy Hooker

My gran, bless her, tried on numerous occasions to teach me how to crochet. Granma (who I adored and still miss terribly, even after nearly 11 years since she passed away) was the ultimate domestic goddess, she baked, cooked, sewed, knitted, crocheted, you name it and she knew the crafty stuff...and when it came to me she usually had the patience of a saint. But not when it came to teaching me how to crochet. I am left handed, Gran was right handed. I always thought this was the problem...until today.

Weeks ago I was delighted that the beautiful little shop Calico and Ivy was running a beginners crochet class. Yippee, I signed up and was delighted to get a spot. Off I toddled after school drop off this morning, chose my yarn (a gorgeous combo of charcoal, olive, red and off-white), got my hook and was ready to rock and roll. It turned out I even knew the teacher from when she used to work at my local quilt shop.

What a disaster. I just ended up frustrated and well and truly ticked off. I just couldn't get it! There was more tension in my shoulders than there was in my work!

I will not let it get the better of me though. We meet again for the 2nd part of the workshop in 2 weeks. I will absolutely have accomplished something and accomplished it well by then! Even if I choose never to crochet again, I will be making a granny square throw, and it will be beautiful and it will be made totally by me!!!! Stay tuned!