New Cotton Yarn Colors

I came across some new colors in the Lily Sugar n Cream cotton yarn family, and of course they were too gorgeous to pass up. I tried though (haha, not really).

(^clockwise from top left: ahoy ombre, anchors away ombre, nautical ombre, and sail away)

And I found these about three months ago:

(^calico and kitchen breeze)

So of course I dropped everything to make more african flower hexagons to add to my growing collection of unique motifs! I think with these new additions, that the hexagon count is 120.

Someday I will join these together and make the best. blanket. ever. :)

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!

More Washi!

Just wanted to share some more washi craft ideas:

 (glass candles; the labels from Yankee Candle and Bath & Body Works candles come off easily)

(washi is perfect for attaching Lego Gandalf to my monitor!)

 (a wooden letter C for my youngest son)

(a $1 picture frame transformed)

(a star-shaped chipboard box; patriotic and useful)

I also keep a washi board on Pinterest to stay inspired by other crafters. I pinned a 4th of July washi wreath the other day that I just might have to make this year!

Washi!

Although yarn is first and foremost in my crafting heart, I also have a love of washi tape, the re-positionable decorative tape that originated in Japan. The fabulous colors, the whimsical designs, the versatility! Here's a few from my collection:

I have used washi tape to decorate countless things: frames, gift tags and cards, boxes, calendars, candles, and even phone cases! It is so easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and adds a little personality to your crafting. Here's a small sampling of my washi crafting:

 (a chipboard box to hold my dry-erase markers, scrap paper, and tennis-ball-eraser-holder)

 (one of the key holders at work; the vintage key washi design was perfect!)

(two versions of the same phone case)

(big wooden clothespins for me and my bestie)

(a plain glass candle holder -- love these colors!)

I hope that inspires you to try crafting with washi, if you haven't already. :)

And just in case you thought that washi was taking up all my crafting time, let me assure you it has not. I make time every day to play with yarn. I am still working on a couple of secret projects but will be able to share them with you within a month's time. So please be patient. :) 

In the meantime, here is a little crochet star pentagon motif that I made one day recently. This is just a proto-type. I'm hoping to expand on this idea and use it for a blanket for my youngest. (On a side note, I made him a blanket for his 5th birthday. He doesn't like the 'holes' in the pattern :\ so this star blanket will be hole-free.)

Making Progress

My tunic project is sloooooowly coming along. I always end up putting projects for me aside as I work on something else for someone else.

I did start a brand-new, very colorful project that for now, must remain secret. Stay tuned. I hope to share it within the next couple of months. But in the meantime, just know that it involves this box of yarn:

One thing I can share is a pattern for a shawl that I'm crocheting for a dear friend who is ill. I ripped it out three times before I was finally satisfied with it. Here's the beginning of the shawl (Red Heart Soft yarn in Watercolors):

My big news is that I finished the second blanket for my great-niece! She will make her appearance in July, so I am way ahead of schedule on my projects for her. Yay!

A Project Just For Me

Every once in awhile (about once a year), I have an itching to crochet something just for me. When I saw the cover of the Spring 2014 issue of Interweave Crochet, I knew the top shown was going to be this year's project. I literally could not stop thinking about it!

The Convergence Top pattern calls for Noro Taiyo Sock yarn, a yarn I have never worked with before. It is a blend of cotton, wool, polyamide, and silk. Because it is pricey (around $20 per skein) and the pattern calls for 3 skeins, I shopped around until I found a shop that offered about 25% off and free shipping. Yay!

The yarn arrived, and I almost panicked that they had sent the wrong colors! The skeins all look so different! But I checked the labels, and all 3 skeins are the same color mix (color #39) and the same lot number.

I'm trying to adjust to the weight of the yarn. I usually work with worsted weight, and this sock yarn is rather fine. I have had to adjust the hook size from the pattern (which concerns me greatly) because the piece I'm working seems big. BUT it does match the gauge I'm supposed to use, so cross your fingers! The colors are gorgeous, and the more I crochet, the more shades of beige and green appear.

I can't wait to finish this and wear it! Stay tuned! :)

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).