Updates on Life and Blankets

In the last couple of years, I have really let this blog stagnate. Uhhhh. And it's not because nothing is going on, crochet-wise, but more like because so much is going on. Busy doesn't even seem to cover it, but that is what I have been. Busy with my family, busy with work, busy with projects, busy with ideas. Just, busy. And in the back of my mind, this blog silently nags at me...

I have come to a place where my crochet focus is changing. This has been simmering for awhile, in my head at least, if nowhere else. I am starting to see the fruits of this change start to take shape, and nothing is more exciting than that.

Stay tuned for some exciting new things that are percolating on the horizon. :)

In the meantime, I will share an update on my latest crochet projects. Last November, my second great-niece was born so of course, I had to make two blankets for her (just like I did for her sister)!

(Be Unique Chevron Blanket by Mamachee)

(Happy Throw by Mamachee)

I also made a Happy Throw for my sister's boss who gave birth to a baby girl last year. This is such a great pattern and has become a go-to blanket design for me.

I also finished a huge blanket for my husband. He served in the US Navy, so I used gray, white, and blue in a nautical-inspired pattern. 

I have three other blankets in various stages of completion. I'm trying to finish at least one before I start anything new, but...well, that might not happen. :)

These are just the big projects. As usual, I have also been working on plenty of smaller projects too. And in case you think I just have an encyclopedic memory, I don't (ha!). I use Ravelry to keep track of my bigger projects. This really comes in handy when I have put a project down for awhile, and when I pick it up again, I can't recall which hook I was using!

One Reveal

Finally, after crocheting for a month while trying to keep this project under wraps, I am able to reveal the big secret (well, one of them anyway):

Chevrons!

This blanket was made for my best friend's daughter, who is graduating from high school this week and has been accepted to the University of Texas at San Antonio! I used Loops and Threads Impeccable yarn in navy, pumpkin, and white (UTSA's school colors), and I adapted the chevron pattern from Mamachee (wider and longer and different color changes). Yay, Jaclynn!

And speaking of graduations, my oldest is also graduating from high school this week. I made a wreath to celebrate this milestone:

His high school colors are red and white, and he will be attending the University of Houston in the fall. Luckily I'll be able to 'recycle' this wreath in 4 years since UH has the same school colors!

Congrats to Morgan and Jaclynn and all the other seniors in the class of 2014!
Go out and make your mark!

WIPs - Blankets

I wanted to share some progress I'm making on some lovely blankets for my son and my great-niece who will arrive in July.

For my great-niece, I made this blanket (Happy throw pattern from Mamachee):

The yarn in Red Heart Soft yarn in Off White, Pink, Guacamole, Lilac, and Honey.

I am working now on a Chevron blanket (pattern by Mamachee) in White, Light Grey Heather, and a surprise color (to be revealed later)!

For my son, who is about to turn 13, a variation of the Chevron blanket in three shades of his favorite color:

I really like the ombre effect. The yarn is Red Heart Soft yarn in Seafoam, Deep Sea, and Teal.

 Truth be told, two of these blankets are "completed", except for the dreaded weaving of the ends. Of course, you can't tell that from the pictures (creative editing, haha).