National Crochet Month Post #4: Shamrock Garland

Two days ago, I posted that I was really excited to have learned how to crochet shamrocks.  Well, I took several of those shamrocks and made a small garland with them.  It is just a miniature version before I really go all out for St. Patrick's Day.  But I needed a little bit of décor for tonight's special event, my dad's 79th birthday.  

My dad has been in the hospital for the past week after falling at home.  It turned out he had an infection and has had to stay in order to beat this thing.  The infection has been playing tricks on his brain and unfortunately, he hasn’t really been himself.  He is in an excellent hospital being well cared for, so my family and I are hopeful. 

I learned how to make the shamrocks from Kim Layton at www.EverythingEtsy.com and used their photo of a shamrock garland as inspiration to make my own.  Find the pattern here.

Here I am with my dad and his shamrock garland.

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Here is a photo of a St. Patrick's Day shamrock garland done right by Kim Layton from www.EverythingEtsy.com!

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  Happy Birthday, Dad!  

Me and my dad in March 2010

  

National Crochet Month Post #3: Cowls

I have posted about cowls a few times, but I have to tell you that I just love cowls.  They warm up my neck against the cold and I don't have to worry about wrapping them around my neck, stepping on them, or getting them caught in the car door.  They are far superior to scarves and here are a couple I have made:

I got my pattern from Lion Brand Yarn's website.  It is their 45-minute cowl, tweaked just a little, and using Red Heart yarn for these two cowls.  Here is that pattern:

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20326B.html

Tomorrow is Wednesday and I hope to "Hook on Hump Day."  Check back then.  ;)  

National Crochet Month Post #2: Shamrocks

I am hoping to post every day this month some sort of crocheted goodness that I love.  Some days it will be things I have already made.  Other days it will be something I have recently learned to make.  Here is today's newly learned craft:  my own cute little shamrocks.  

Being an Irish-American gal, I love the color green, the land of my ancestors, and its national symbol, the shamrock.  Did you know that the word shamrock comes from the Irish word seamróg?  This means "little clover" and it was what St. Patrick used to teach people about the Trinity.

I learned how to make these little beauties from Kim Layton on the Everything Etsy website.  She includes written instructions as well as a video teaching you how to make the sweet little shamrocks.  Take a look here.  

I used Vanna's Choice by Lion Brand in fern, kelly green, and lime.  

I have plans to make garlands and decorate my home and classroom with these fun decorations.  

It's never too early to start planning for St. Patrick's Day!

Go raibh maith agat!

Happy National Crochet Month!

I just found out that March is National Crochet Month!  My dad has been in the hospital for a few days and I haven't been crocheting much, but he seems to be doing better.  So I hope to crochet at least a little bit every day this month. 

Here are a few snapshots of what I have been working on lately.  There are no finished projects to show off yet, but I'll get there!

Take care, everyone!

"Friend"ly Washcloths

For the last several weeks, I have been making washcloths during my spare moments.  In the evenings after school or on the weekends, I have been perfecting my crocheted washcloth making abilities.  I have finally listed some of them in my Etsy shop.  Here is a link and here are some photos:

The reason I call these "Friend"ly Washcloths is because I watched several episodes of "Friends" on Netflix while making them.  They were made with laughter and a positive vibe from Phoebe, Joey, Monica, Ross, Rachel, and Chandler.   :)

 

I keep going back and forth trying to decide which character is my favorite.  Among the men, I think I would probably get along with Ross the best, but I just love Chandler Bing!  As for the women, Phoebe and I would get along the best.

Yes, I do realize they are fictional characters, but I must ask which character do you like the best?  Watching "Friends" has been like taking a stroll down memory lane.  It's hard to believe that the show first aired more than 20 years ago.  Who feels old now?

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Well, in any case, have a bright, sunshiny day!

Could your day BE any sunshinier?










--J

New Soaps, February Birthdays, and Winter is Coming!

Two new soaps in the shop today:

Monkey Farts Handmade Soap.  The shop description says:  "Fresh banana blended with sweet grapefruit, mandarin orange, kiwi, coconut cream, pink raspberries, strawberries and apples.  This soap is a wonderfully colorful and fragrant additional to your bath time routine!  Your kids will love it and so will you!"

Twigs & Berries: "Rich currant is blended with soft woods, cinnamon and a hint of peach and orange.  A sweet and pleasant fragrance, this soap is like taking a springtime walk through the woods."

Today was the February birthday party for my brother, my son, and myself.  Here is a pic of the three of us:

And today, we may actually get a fair amount of snow on the ground for the first time this winter.  After the last several years of brutal winters with heaps of snow, we have gotten off lightly here in my neck of the woods, especially when I see what places like Boston have gone through.  There are no pictures of snow just yet, but stay tuned.  

Happy mid-February, everyone!  

I'm in love with this SOAP!

I know it sounds slightly irrational, but I made this Apricot Freesia soap a couple of days ago and just cut it this evening.  I am in LOVE with it!  J'adore ce savon!

The apricot color is of course reminiscent of actual apricots.  And I used white and yellow to represent freesia.  It smells like a lovely late spring day!  Lovely!

Watch me cut the soap here:

and unveil it here:

And here are the crêpes that Sean made for school.  Elles sont délicieuses!

I hope you have a lovely week!

--J