A Blanket For My Niece!

 Here it is. My second baby blanket. I made this one last Fall as a baby shower gift for my new niece, Rhiella, who was born last December. I wanted to make something as sweet, unique and special as she is, so I made this blanket out of the softest yarn I could find at Hobby Lobby. I used the Sweet Delight Baby Yarn by Baby Bee in Boo Pink and Chocolate. I originally wanted to use purple and brown (those are the colors my sister-in-law chose for the nursery), but they didn't have that yarn in purple so I chose pink as a good substitute. I used the same general pattern as my last blanket (see previous post) except this time I did stripes. I used one color until there wasn't enough left for a full row and switched to the next color and continued until all the yarn was used. I used 3 skeins of brown and 3 skeins of pink. It was a little tricky figuring out how to join the new color to the next row, but I just winged it. I'm not sure if I actually did it exactly right, but it worked well enough. The hardest part though, was getting the blanket started. This yarn is very soft and fuzzy so the stitches blend into each other, making it hard to see where the next stitch goes and it got knots in it quite easy that I had to cut out because I couldn't see where the knot began and ended, but it was fun to make nonetheless! In fact, I would bring it with me to karate class and work on it while waiting for class to start on the days I had to get there early or while Chad was doing a class that was a little advanced for me at the time. I was a bit disappointed when it was finished but even more excited to give it to my sister-in-law, Rhiannon, at the baby shower. Now my niece has a blanket, all her own, that is as soft and special and she is, which was made especially for her by her Aunt Lisi.

First Baby Blanket

Here it is! My first baby blanket! I crocheted this last Summer/Fall. All I used was a simple single crochet to make it. It's about 110 stitches across. I don't know how many rows. I just kept stitching until there wasn't enough yarn to make a new row. I don't know if you can see the color very well. It's a light, sea green color. I actually started making one a couple years ago but, unfortunately, it got ruined our apartment fire. No way was I going to try and salvage it, along with the unused yarn. For a while I wasn't sure I wanted to redo it, but last year I decided to do it anyway. I wanted to do something very simple and easy, I went with a skein(ball, roll, etc, for those who aren't familiar with the term) of yarn that was not only one color, but also big enough that I could do a baby blanket with just one skein. I'm glad I went ahead and remade it. It was a lot of fun and, in my opinion, rather therapeutic for me in dealing with the fire. My goal has been to get good enough to make and donate baby blankets to local hospitals and this helped me rekindle that desire. Usually, when I make something new, like my first scarf or hat, etc, I don't give away the first one. I keep it for sentimental value. To remind me of how far I've come and that I can do anything if I really want to. So, although I have made a couple exceptions so far, this one I will keep for my own children to enjoy someday. This is only the first of many blankets yet to be made. In fact, I have already made and given away a second blanket, but that is for another post. Stay tuned, I'll be posting about that one real soon.

First Giveaway Project

I made this hat/scarf set last Fall as a my very first giveaway. I made them in red yarn, using a simple double crochet stitch. A good friend and Sensei, Kym Rock, was doing a free seminar at the high school in Glenwood Springs for her Fight Like A Girl Program. I volunteered to help out at the seminar, where women and girls, ages 10 and up, learn self-defense skills. They give away door prizes at the end and I wanted to use my new-found crochet skills to help out in some way, so I decided to make a hat and scarf set for an adult. I was especially happy with how these turned out because this is the first time I have been able to make a scarf and have it turn out straight, not wavy. I truly hope the woman who received this set has been able to use it to keep at least a little warmer this winter.

Ribbons for Sale!

Made these ribbons for my mom's neighbor's garage sale. They're only $2 each. She agreed to help sell my epilepsy stuff at her garage sale and mom agreed to help sell them for me. If you want any just email me a watson.lisa3@gmail.com with how many you want and by when. The proceeds, as I have before mentioned, go to The Epilepsy Foundation to help with research so we can find a cure.

Odds and Ends.

Got some old jewelry from my Mom's neighbor recently. She, the neighbor, had gotten a box at a garage sale and found a bunch of odds and ends jewelry stuff in it. She didn't really need them and thought maybe I could use them for something. Several were broken but I can still use the beads from them to make new stuff. There are various kinds of earrings and necklaces I found among the pile. Now just to clean them, fix some and figure out how I want to sell them and for how much. It would be great at a garage sale, homemade jewelry sells great there. Too bad we live in an apartment. Maybe we could join up with someone sometime. It would be a good way to earn a little extra cash.

New book!

As some of you know, I've been wanting to branch out in my crocheting. I've been wanting to learn to read patterns, crochet different shapes, etc. Now I have a couple books to help me achieve that goal. First, I ordered Crocheting for Dummies a while back, I had it from the library at the time of the fire, but unfortunately, it claimed to book so I was left without a way to help me remember certain knots and stitches. Now that I have the book, I am back at crocheting. Then, yesterday, for my birthday, my stepmother-in-law and father-in-law gave me an Amigurumi book about crocheting animals and toys. I'm excited to try them out and see how well I do. I hope to get some done soon and post pictures of them. Thanks Thayne and Marie for the book!

New! On Sale Now!

Here's the bracelet I've been working on. It has white and lavender beads, alternating the colors. Only $5 each. Get one now so you can show your support for Epilepsy Awareness for Purple Day. Proceeds go to Epilepsy Foundation.

P.S. Don't let children or pets pull on them, they may break.

Rebuilding.

As most of you may know, we had an unfortunate accident a week before Christmas. Our apartment complex burned down. We were not home at the time so we were safe. Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire and we were able to salvage some of our things. But unfortunately, all the yarn for my crocheting was a total loss. I've had to rebuild my yarn supply. The epilepsy products, however were salvaged and still for sale. I have been able to work on the epilepsy bracelets and they should be available for purchase soon. Things have been slow going with the blog and crocheting as we work on rebuilding the rest of our lives and get settled in our new place. Hopefully things will pick up soon. If anyone wishes to contribute and donate, feel free. Yarn, beads, gift cards, jewelry-making supplies, etc, are all welcome. Hoping all is well with you!

For Sale!

The epilepsy ribbon pins are now for sale! They cost $2 each. The proceeds will go to the Epilepsy Foundation. Show your support for epilepsy by wearing a pin!

If you want to buy one, email me the quantity. No taxes will be charged.

More products to come soon.

Epilepsy Ribbon

Here's a glimpse at one of the products I will be making/selling for Epilepsy Awareness. I haven't yet figured out the price, but will soon. Especially with Chad's help. :) It won't be very expensive, probably just a few dollars. Now to make some more and work on another product. It feels great to get this underway and to help give my fellow epilepsy sufferers hope that someday we will find a cure. I'm lucky my situation is fairly mild and that I've been able to find the right medication the first time around. Many others aren't as lucky. Some peoples' seizures are so debilitating that they have difficulty speaking, walking, and have many cognitive issues. Some are so unlucky that nothing works, no matter what they try, and they are forced to endure major seizures dozens of times a day, sometimes as many as 20. It's long past time that changed. Let's help them. Every dollar helps.

Branching out.

So, I'm seriously considering branching out in what all I plan on selling. I'd like to learn other crafts, simple jewelry or something. I'm also seriously thinking about getting into quilting. I've got a lot of time on my hands and want to fill it with something worthwhile. This will also give me more time to hone my crocheting to where it is worthy to sell.

The cards came!

My new 'business' cards came! Well, I actually got them at the beginning of August, I'm just slow to post this. Now to get the details of selling, prices, etc., figured out and build up a supply of stuff to sell. Guess I better get going. :)

Business Cards

Well, the business cards for the blog are done. Just waiting to get them. Amanda, a friend from karate, will get them to my sensei who in turn will get them to me. Should be receiving them in a couple weeks. I can't wait to see them. I haven't decided exactly when I'll start selling stuff yet, or how much I will charge or anything. Geuss I should work on that. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Gonna go into business.

Well, I've thought about it, and decided that I will sell my crochet work. Once I improve my skills a bit more and figure out the cost of yarn and stuff, I will start selling some. It'll probably be slow going at first, but that's okay. This also means I now know what to do with the 250 business cards I won last month. I just have to figure out what I want them to look like. Hopefully I can get this all done soon.

I NEED YOUR INPUT!

Went to a Grand Opening for our karate school's new dojo in Eagle. During the raffle I won 250 free business cards. Thought of selling some of my crocheting when I get better. Maybe I can do the cards for the blog or something. What do you all think? I need ideas.

My first real projects!

They're not perfect, but not that bad either, for a beginner. The turquoise item is a centerpiece thing that happened by accident. It was originally meant to be a something else, but was made too big. A friend of ours suggested it would be perfect to use for a centerpiece.The blue one is a pot holder I made last month. It was inspired by a rectangular one we were given for our wedding. Perfect for holding that Ben & Jerry's w/o freezing your fingers off:)

Yay! I can do a double stitch!

Found a friend at church who was able to show me how to crochet. She taught me the double stitch. took a little bit to get it right, but when it clicked it was like, "Wow! This is easy! I like this." I've gotten the hang of it. Now I just need to learn how to finish it off, and work on the tension. Either the yarn is so loose it's falling off my pinky finger, or it's so tight the yarn doesn't want to slide over my fingers. Makes for some cramped hands and fingers. I even end up tensing my shoulders, and then they're sore. :) This example in the pictures is anything but great, but that's okay. I am just learning and it's the first time I've been able to do more that one row. I'm having so much fun. It's easy to just relax and let go for a while. I'm glad I decided to do this.

Thinking of branching out.

Well, the crocheting has been on hold for a while due to difficulty finding time to learn from someone. Although I did just check out Crocheting For Dummies at the library here to see if that helps. Wonder if anyone has actually had any luck w/it? Also, I've thought of branching out and doing quilting as well. We don't have a sewing machine nor do I know how to use one, and we definitely can't afford one anyway. So I've thought of learning how to do it by hand. Old school! Now to find someone to teach me. I figured it's about time to discover some other skills and talents that are currently hidden. We'll see how it goes. Who knows what will happen from here on out! Bring on the adventure!

Trying to figure it out.

My first two attempts. I figured out the chain stitch with the help of a video I found on You Tube. Although I still need a lot more to master it. And I still haven't figured out how to end one row and start another. I thought I figured it out, tried, and pretty sure I failed. Definitely not as easy as they say. I think I'm gonna have to find someone to teach me in person.

Getting started.

Hey, welcome to my blog. I know it's not much right now. I'm new at this, so please bear with me as I figure things out. You see, I am in the process of learning how to crochet and wanted to share my creations with others so they can enjoy them, too. I have also been known to make other, more simply made blankets, so I may post pictures and info about those, too. I hope you enjoy the journey. :)