Nook/Kindle Covers

For those of you who don't know, I recently got a Kindle Fire. And I love it! But I needed a case for it. So of course I made one. And of course, then my mom wanted one for her nook. Then a coworker-friend wanted one. And it seems I may have stumbled on to the flagship line for the Etsy store I'm getting ready to open.

So it all started with the relatively simple blue monster case I made for myself.

Then my mom wanted one, and I couldn't very well make an identical one. Where's ther creativity in that?


Then my coworkers saw the pictures and one that I'm close with said "I want one, but a Zombie and I'm going to pay you for it because it wouldn't be right to not pay for a custom piece!"

And I thought 'how am I going to design a zombie, where the opening placement is both hilarious and adorable?' and after a few minutes consideration, I had it! HEAD WOUND! So with this stroke of genius in hand, (um, mind maybe?) I bought some mossy green yarn and got down to business.

I deliver this one today, but she's already seen pictures and is completely in love with it!

Alternating Shells Afghan!

My apologies in advance for rotten photo quality, the ceiling light when bad in my living room about 2 days ago and I haven't had the opportunity to replace it yet.

I made a great big snuggly afghan so that the munchkin can grow with it, and I made it in somewhat more grown-uppy colors for the same reason. I want this afghan to be used until it falls apart, not until she's too cool to like the colors I picked.

It's gotten the seal of "Snuggle Approval" from our official product tester. Honestly, it was getting hard to keep him off of it so I could finish the thing.
The pattern is simple alternating shells with a 4 round border.

if you are using multiple colors, choose an odd number of colors to reduce the number of ends you have to work in, with an odd number (I like 3) you can simply pick up the color you need next at the end of the row and carry your yarn along the outside edge. when you crochet the first row of the border, you'll be hiding all that yarn!

ch desired length, a multiple of 6 +2.

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, * sk 2 ch, work shell (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch, sk 2 ch, sc in next ch, rep from * across. turn

Row 2: ch 3, 2 dc in last sc of prev row, * sc in ch-sp, work shell (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in sc, rep from * across, work 3 dc in last sc, turn

Row 3: ch 1, sc in first dc, * work shell in sc, sc in in ch-sp, rep from * across, sc in 3rd beg ch

if changing colors, change with the last yo of each row. rep rows 2 and 3 to desired size

Last Row: work across this row picking up pattern depending on which row you ended with - dc in sc, hdc in first dc, sc in next 4 dc, hdc in next dc, dc in sc and so on across.

Border:

Rnd 1: single crochet around placing 3 sc in the corners.

Rnd 2: half double crochet around, placing 3 hdc in the corners

Rnd 3: double crochet around, placing (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in the corners

Rnd 4: single around, working between sts of prev row, placing 3 sc in the corner ch-sp.

Afghan is imminent!

So, with Dave and Julie's munchkin #2 on the way (due the first week of October!) I've been working like a madwoman to get this afghan done. It's been a chore the whole way because even though everyone who's seen it has loved it, I've never really been a huge fan of the pattern. I finally got far enough that I felt it was a good size and now I've been working on the border for a couple of days.

It looks good. I'm happy with the results. I'm just not that into making zillions of shells and nothing but, ya know? Once I have it finished I"ll post a couple of good pics and maybe if I ask nice I can get a pic of munchkin #1 with her afghan.

Haven't given up.

Those of you who follow my other blog, Live Like a Hippy, will have seen me posting like crazy about homemade spa goodies, especially Lip Balm. Have no fear, I haven't stopped crocheting.

I've actually been working on a pattern book! The working title is "Creature Comforts" and it's going to be filled with animal inspired winter gear, for little kids and big kids! So far, I've got a Snuggly Diamond Back scarf, the Shark Attack Hat, a Frog hat, and the Brain Worm Scarf/hat combo.

I'm hoping to come out with roughly a dozen patterns when all is said and done. Also, now that my arm is healed (I fell victim to all the ice in Allentown the other week) I should be able to do a lot more crochet work. I'll gonna finish up the laptop sleeve I'm working on, so I can keep my shiny new Toshiba shiny and new and then dig right back into the Creature patterns.

I've also got a couple of new ideas bouncing around for the Fishin' Buddies booklet. And don't worry, I haven't forgotten that a lot of you are here for the free stuff. I've got a couple ideas in that category too.

Studio: Reboot

So, no access to my art supplies is driving me crazy. That combined with the fact that I have things like Ink and Paint that can't remain in the basement much longer now that the weather is getting colder, has made us come to the decision that I really need to put my studio back together. What does that mean to you?

Well that means:

• new items in the store (which will hopefully move off of Etsy)
• updates to the website in a more timely fashion
• new patterns!
• a permanent move from tripod to Tilghman Street Studios (fewer, more targeted ads)
• possible addition of video to the how-to's instead of just pictures

I'm feeling pretty ambitious about all of this. I'm up in the middle of the night, wide awake from having badly overslept and evening nap, and my brain is going a mile a minute.

We'll need to the get the hubby's computer up and running to make up for the fact that I may be living on the laptop for a good portion of our vacation next week. We'll be getting our new washer and dryer before too much longer with also means that I can felt without having to run down 3 flights of stairs to the washing machine. (The hook-ups are in the basement right now and the studio is on the 3rd floor. The hook-ups are getting moved to the kitchen!)

Speaking of kitchen, I had one that usable, if not actually finished and I'm thinking about trying to custom dye some yarn. Maybe doing some tie-dyes and such.

That's it for now, I think I need to spend some serious time with my notepad and my sketch book. I'll keep posting as new things happen!

Dalmation Photo Journal.

So I decided to make my dad a dalmation for his birthday. And I decided to make a photo journal of my progress, so everyone can get an idea of how my doll-making process works. Also, to keep me on track for my deadline. Which was today.


Day 1.



Just a couple of legs, but a good start.


Day 2.



Starting on the body.


Day 3.



I've got the body finished, and arms attached. Just starting the head. One of the reasons this is going so quickly is that I'm using 2 strands of worsted worked together.


Day 4.



No measurable crochet progress, but I did buy his hat.


Day 5.



Body is finished and stuffed, just barely got a start on the detail work.


Day 6.



Great start of the detail work. Ears, tail and a few spots.


Day 7.



Trying out his hat. No eyes yet, I bought them but then I realized I don't have access to a glue gun.


Day 8.



Hanging out in my locker. I borrowed Darlene's glue gun to put the eyes on.


Finished!



Packed in his gift bag and ready to go.


Everybody got a kick out of him, particularly the Fire Truck bag. Hope this gives a least a little bit of insight to you all.

Looks who's back!

So after all this time, we're finally getting settled back into the house. We've been living in it for almost 3 weeks, but it's only now starting to feel like ours again. All the damage from the fire has been repaired at this point but we haven't started to unpack yet because the bathroom remodel isn't done yet and repairing the living room floor and redoing the kitchen come after that, as well as the touch up painting in the whole house. When things are finished up, I'll post some pictures.

I haven't been totally lazy while I haven't been online, although admittedly, my dislocated kneecap is slowing me down quite a bit. But... I do have a few recipes to get posted over on Live Like a Hippy, including two for awesome salads, both using variations on Good Seasons dressing mix packets, and I've been crocheting for charity, and brainstorming a really cute draft blocker for you all.

I have my follow up with the orthopedic on Thursday, wish me luck.

Little by Little

So, I've gotten a little bit of time to spend on the fixing of the title graphics. I've gotten through a pretty good portion of the site, but there's tons left yet.

On the plus side, it's given me a chance to realize that a lot of the older patterns have terrible pictures. Fuzzy, dim, you name it. The Chocolate Bunny looks like a blob, and some of the others aren't much better. To that end, I'm going to do the best I can to get a new digital camera (for those of you who don't remember, I got a really good, but used Nikon about a year ago - for free - and the battery pack promptly crapped out on me.) in the next couple weeks. I found one that looks like it will handle basic website photos and snap shots really well and it's only like $40.

Little by little, things are falling into place.

Next on the list is to get everything switched over to the new Project Wonderful-friendly layout. That will take some time, but once it's done, it'll look really good. Also, it will bring in a bit of money and hopefully get you all some useful links.

Once that's done, I'll have a pretty good idea of how to layout really sharp-looking, ad-friendly pages for Tilghman Street Studios. Which will make me very happy. I think that there will be things at Tilghman Street that you will like quite a bit.

Honestly, though, even if you don't find anything that you like, the Crochet Pages fans will be benefiting in several ways. I'll be in charge of the advertising, instead of Lycos. No more pop-up ads.

Liam and I will be handling the T-shirts - we'll be using a grassroots print-on-demand style production - which means that they'll be hand screen-printed.

Eventually, we will (hopefully) be handling the book printing also.

In the end, this will lead to a better, friendlier website, and better merchandise with lower shipping costs. And unless I'm way off - this should make everyone happier.

Glitches to be fixed shortly

I've noticed that there are some minor glitches with some of the pages I moved to Tilghman Street Studios. A couple of them are showing the Tilghman Street logo, instead of Crochet Pages. Unfortunately, I don't have the time anymore to fix them before I have to get ready for work today, but I do anticipate them being fixed in the next few days.

I'll post again when it's taken care of.

Just in case

So, for those of you who aren't a fan on Facebook, which I suspect is most of you, I thought now that my hand is feeling well enough that I can type a bit better, I would post a better update.

About a week and a half ago, I promised myself "Finish the Kitchen (we're repainting) and then the website is a priority. New Shirt Designs, New Patterns, New Etsy Stuff." Then about 3 days after that, I woke up in a good deal of pain.

I figured that I had probably done something stupid in my sleep, like spent half the night sleeping on my arm. Over the course of the day, the pain didn't go away, and in fact flared up enough to make my eyes water a few times. So, I went to the Urgent Care on Cedar Crest Blvd. to find out, "Now what is wrong with my wrist?"

Did I mention that this is my left wrist? And I'm left handed? And I'm a picture framer at the day job?

I was told that I hyper extended my thumb, probably when I was babysitting. That kid plays hard! I left thinking, well now I know, got the splint the doc told me to buy, took some Advil (as recommended) and went about my evening.

Over the course of the weekend, the pain got worse, the swelling got worse, from time to time my hand looked a bit dusky, and I had three episodes of numbness. So I went back to the urgent care. Same diagnosis, but this time a Rx anti-inflammatory (so I can actually start to heal) and I'm stuck in the splint until, at least, my follow-up on Monday instead of for 4-6 days until I start to feel better.

So, since I'm not doing very well using the touchpad (I have a laptop) and I can't hold much of anything, all of my projects are sort of in limbo. My apologies. I guess next time I should have a little less fun playing.

A very full few days

So, it's only Wednesday, and I feel like I've already put in a weeks worth. I finished a pattern for the site, it just needs a photo and to be typed up. I have an afghan pattern a good portion of the way finished.

Sunday, I worked a half day to cover for someone who was sick, then finished the one pattern and big part of the other.

Monday morning, I went to the gym and then I worked a closing shift. At work, I finished up the last 13 pieces in a set of 71 that I had been working on.

Tuesday, I went to the gym with Liam, then worked another closing shift, this time with Liam.

Today, I worked another half day, because I had to leave early because apparently overtime is evil. I bought the stuff I need for a couple of Mother's Day gifts that I'm responsible for and the stuff to make the favors and start the centerpieces for my Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Then I came home and played on the internet for a while. Then I went for a sushi lunch, hit Walmart for some odds and ends and then went to Wegman's for the tea bags for my favors.

Then I called Dave and we went tromping around in the woods at the Mary Immaculate Center, and climbed a tree. Then we went out for dinner.

Now, I'm home, putting my favors together and playing on Facebook.
Whew.

Tomorrow plans are gym with Liam and then babysit and make a Mother's Day gift with Lyam. (No, that is right, there are 2 Lyam's and they spell their names differently. One is Scottish origin - Lyam, the other is short for William - Liam. Also, one of them is 2 1/2 and I babysit him, the other is a coworker and dear friend of mine.)

Friday - work, then Date night.

Saturday - another closing shift.

I hope you followed all of that, because I'm not sure that I didn't miss something.

Oh, also, I sold a coffee cup sleeve and pair of baby slippers this week.

Crochet Pages Shop on Etsy Now Open!

So, I finally got my Etsy shop up and running. Now you too can have something handmade by yours truly! Right now it's all coffee coats and cozies, but they're adorable, I promise.

Check it out!

So, it's February.

Wow. The first month of 2009 is gone already - and I've been sick for all of it.

Love Bites will only be available until Valentine's Day so grab it while you can.

Leon in the winner of the Candy Hearts Contest. Get in touch with me so I can get you your prize. I'll post the finished photo soon.

Studio progress has been slow due to not feeling well, however, I will be posting my first Esty items in the next day or so.

I think that's everything for now. Keep warm and happy hooking!

Still Need Entries.

Only three days left and still no entries for sayings. Here's a pic of the pillow for inspiration.

Crochet Exchange

So, if I was thinking of starting up a Crochet Exchange, would anyone be interested? I'm thinking Granny Daughter's, like 20 per month. Let me know what you think - strngbn@lycos.com or Twitter @agecrochet

Photos taken for book!

Now all I have to do is add them in, tweak the formatting a bit and decide what I'm doing about a cover. Woo!

Once it's uploaded to Lulu and linked from Crochet Pages and here, I'll let everybody know!

Last pattern for bag book finished!

I finally finished the last pattern for the book today. Just need to type the last couple up and fill in the missing photos and we're good to go. I'll let you know when it's available. I'm going to go through Lulu, so hopefully it won't be long.

Lots of stuff happening!

I think I'll do this update point by point in order to make it easier to read. Those of you who only read from the feed on Crochet Pages, I apologize in advance that you'll be missing most of the info, unless you click through to the blog.

1) I've finally got the photo posted for the Mini Teddy Bear. I hope the shot properly shows it's scale.

2) I got the Envelope Clutch pattern posted. This was the winning pattern for the preview of my book.

3) With Ren Faire season now over, I'm hoping I might be able to wrangle a couple of new patterns from Jessy, but no promises.

4) The book is well under way at this point. The layout is falling together pretty well and I only need 2 more patterns before I'm willing to call it finished. I apologize if anyone was hoping to get it in their hands before Christmas, it's not likely to happen at this point.

5) I do not intend to take a Christmas break from the website at this point. For a few reasons:
a) I just got started on this regular monthly update thing, if I don't keep going, I don't know what might happen.
b) I honestly don't see any reason why I'd need to at this point. My boss isn't let me make any headway in my frameshop, so I doubt I'll get pulled to help others.
c) I need to start getting ready for the move to a new host. My Tripod account has served me well for roughly 10 years now, but I am quickly running out of space. Regular updates are going to make that happen sooner. I'm nearly 3/4 of the way to capacity.
d) I still haven't built the web-home I promised for Because We Care. I feel really bad about that, I really need to get in touch with Anita about it.

I think that covers everything. Any questions, let me know.

Keep 'em coming!

Keep those votes coming in.  So far the small clutch-style handbag is winning.  If you've got something to say about it, please do!

Also, on my end, the bag pattern booklet is well underway with a total of eight patterns finished and another nearly there!

Minor Edit and an extra chance to vote!

I just finished making a very minor edit to the Granny Square Drawstring Bag pattern.  I linked the granny square reference to the granny square pattern page.  Like I said, nothing big.

Now, the chance to vote.  The US Presidential Election is over, with results that I'm quite happy with, actually, but you're not reading this to find out my political views.  You're here for crochet stuff.

How about this.  I'm working on a booklet of bag patterns.  I'm planning on having about 12 patterns in the book, but to help encourage people to check it out, I want to preview a couple patterns on the website.  I'm including the Granny Square Drawstring Bag pattern, mentioned above, that's already been posted on the site for a few years now.

But, I'm not sure what I want to use as the other "preview" pattern.  So, I'm gonna let it up to you.  Hopefully, I get some feedback.  I'm probably going to let the voting open until December, so you have about a month.