Lacy and Beautiful

I realize it has been a very long time since I have posted anything, but I'm here again and I wanted to share with you the last couple things that I have made recently. And you bet your bottom dollar I haven't stopped crocheting this whole time I haven't been blogging!

A couple friends at work are pregnant and both due in July, and of course I had to make them a blanket! Candice helped me choose the pattern because I was being indecisive and would have never been happy with the one I would have chosen. She did a really good job, too!

Carley:

Isn't this blanket gorgeous? I just LOVE the pattern, especially that edging. Carley's theme for baby girl is elephants, with grey and pink. I used I Love This Yarn, worsted weight, light gray and about 2 1/2 skeins. I used a J sized hook. I wanted it big and fluffy, just like an elephant! The ribbon is a light pink with a chevron pattern that is raised and shiny. I think this blanket turned out so great! She just loved it and everyone ooh'd and ahh'd over it.

Emily:

This time, I used a lighter sport-weight yarn because that is actually what the pattern called for. I used Baby Bee brand, I can't remember the name of the color, but it's got some nice sparkle to it! I used about 2 1/2 skeins as well. The hook was a G size. I chose a pink polka-dot ribbon because Emily love's polka dots! I was a bit disappointed with the size this blanket turned out to be, but I think it was only because I made Carley's first and had something to compare it to. It is still a very good sized blanket for a newborn, and nobody seemed to notice or care when they saw it. Emily loved it and everyone said it should be a blessing blanket! I am pleased overall with how it turned out!

Both blankets took me about 2-3 days to make. Actually, Emily's took a little longer only because I was upset with the size and didn't want to work on it, haha. For the ribbon, I used four strips and weaved them in. After tying the bow in each corner, I took a needle and white thread and tacked it down to the blanket. I didn't treat the ends of the ribbon for fraying, but I just told the girls that if the ribbons start to fray, they can use clear nail polish on the ends.

I just absolutely love to crochet, and I love to make blankets for people. Hats, newborn props, outfits, shoes....I'm ok with making them, but I really don't prefer them. I could make blankets over and over and over again. Right now, I'm particularly fond of granny square blankets and light/lacy-looking blankets. I've got one in the works that I'm really excited about right now! I'll post on that one when it's finished and shipped off to my friend. :)

Have a happy Memorial Day Weekend!

State Fair

We just got back from the Utah State Fair, and let me tell you what, I have been waiting for this even all year long! I took tons of pictures and spent the majority of my time in the Home Arts building. I did lots of studying and I even spoke with a lady about possibly setting up a tatting club in Springville (what!?). I just can't WAIT to show you all of my fun pictures!!

We're Back!

The computer is back! My wonderful brother helped wipe it clean (we backed things up, don't worry!) and we factory re-set it. We figured that was probably just going to be the best way to fix it all.

I don't have a post for today because I don't have my pictures/external hard drive nearby, but I just wanted to let you know that I DO have my computer back and thus my postings should become a bit more regular again. I'm so happy!

Troy!

I have a good friend from college. Her name is Troy.

Actually, that's not really her name, but that's what I've always called her since those good ol' freshman days in the dorms. We were young, hyper, crazy, and giving everyone nicknames that have stuck and have now become some of the dearest things to me.

Anyway, Troy is having a baby!! I was sooo happy to find out that when she got married, she would be living much closer to rather than further from me. When I got the invite for her baby shower, I knew right away what I was going to make - an afghan!

So this was the coolest thing ever. It was the 4th of July. I was at my parents' house all day WITH NO YARN OR HOOKS. I was going to go crazy! So, I recruited my dad and sister to come to Hobby Lobby with me, enabling me to use not one, but three 40% off coupons at the register, and I got to buy this *luscious* yarn that I have had my eye on for quite a while.

Yarn Bee (by Hobby Lobby) Soft Secret. (compare to Caron Simply Soft and ah, they just can't quite compare except maybe color variety!) Delicious. Shiny. Soft. Smooth. Yummy.

I bought 2 great vibrant colors and white. I was so excited to get to work!

I used this pattern from Lion Brand (you have to sign in, but here's the link) that my good friend shared with me. I was so happy to find it! I love the stripes look, I love the lacy look, this worked up SO fast and SO easily, and it all around is such a good, easy pattern! I recommend it to anyone and everyone and may end up using it for all future baby blankets.

My only problem was that I used a yarn too fine (even though it was still Weight 4 as the pattern called for) and my hook was one size too small (H). The pattern ended up being maybe half the size it was supposed to be. However, I decided it looked so great that it would make a really nice hang-over-the-edge-of-the-crib blanket or little lap blanket or, my personal favorite, a snuggle blanket because yes, it is that soft.

One last thing I have to say is that everyone ooh'd and ahh'd over the blanket, and Troy's aunt even asked me for the pattern and where to get the yarn. Yay!

Ok, enough of me talking, time for my pictures! Enjoy!

Reference!

I know that as I am writing this post, I am really being a big hypocrite. However, I feel like it should be mentioned as it is something that has ALWAYS bothered me!

Have you ever been searching for patterns on Google or Pinterest, and you come across a picture that you find absolutely beautiful or so adorably cute that you know right then and there that you just have to make that one! So you click on the picture and it takes you to....a blog. And not someone's crafty/tutorial blog. Just someone's normal blog and they decided to post a picture of something they made and they post NO REFERENCE TO THE PATTERN WHATSOEVER!!!!

It's like they're just dangling the picture in front of your face, saying, "Look at my beautiful creation, and you can't have it, ha ha!"

Oh, it drives me nuts!!

Even if it's your original pattern, or if it's something you found off of Red Heart's website that is available to everyone, or if you even bought the pattern off of Etsy...PLEASE reference your pattern! I should be saying this for respect to the pattern-maker, but no. I'm really just saying this for selfish reasons that I really do want to know where you got your pattern from! And you know what, sometimes I'm willing to pay for the pattern!

Friends, don't be afraid to tell us where you got your pattern. And if you just made it up...tell us! Give yourself some credit! Share the goodness with those around you. Besides, if your picture is popular enough to show up on Google image search, then you know that enough people are coming to your blog to look for the pattern and you should just be a pal and direct them in the right path.

So now that I've said that...it's about time I go back through my old posts and reference my patterns...wish me luck!

Feature A Friend!

Ok, I should have probably waited until Friday to do "Feature Friday" (not sure if that's even a real thing!) but I have another one that I can feature on Friday. I just wanted to post today and I'm actually at work instead of at home. Issues with the home computer are....continuous and frustrating.

This bright and beautiful creation was done by my friend Aubrey! She's another one of the work buddies who decided to take up crocheting. She's due with her baby in October and has already made a blanket for her him, is working on a tote, booties, a hat, and this hook holder!! She is just on fire!!

She used Red Heart Soft yarn - a little sparkly and fun, and on clearance at Hobby Lobby (woot  - we love those sales!). She followed the same pattern I used for my red one, and I won't lie...after seeing hers, it makes me want to re-do mine in some brighter, happier colors, too! Anyway, she said she had to add an extra row of stars (I think her yarn was sport weight/smaller), but it ended up turning out just great for her! Feast your eyes and enjoy!

Photo Bomb (over the next week!)

I've got so much I want to share! I've been collecting all my photos together of things I have been crocheting lately and I am finally going to post about them. Most of the pictures have lower quality since they were taken on my iPad and I'm not too great at editing lighting or anything like that. Over the next few days, I will be posting about each of my things. I apologize there has been quite a lapse in posts. That's because several months ago, I got an iPad. Who needs their PC laptop once they get an iPad?? Just kidding. We did! But our laptop has been giving us a lot of grief lately and we actually went out and bought one but discovered there was no CD-drive - what?!?! Anyway, I don't need to tell you all of these. Suffice it to say, you can't post on Blogger through iOS and I was too lazy fight with my computer to post.

But now I'm here and I'll share with you a just a couple pictures and I can't wait to post some more tomorrow!

(Taking a peak at..."Chevy!")