What I have been up to....

Instead of blogging I've been crocheting and doing my best to keep my house in order which has been a blessing. The kids and I have been playing games and hanging out with friends. So I have not had time for blogging not to mention that words are not coming easily to me either.

I thought my loyal follower (s) might like to see what been on my hook(s)

I gave this doily to my friend Tara last night for her 30th birthday. She liked it:) phew! This is doily #7 . I made it with #10 Opera thread in wood violet. Doily #6 is still a secret until I can give it to the intended recipient.





I made this Purple Puppy for her son who also turned 1year old yesterday. Yes mom and son share the same birthday.



The Purple Puppy is my own pattern that I re-worked from the cat pattern I designed when my daughter wanted a crocheted cat doll. I'm re-working this pattern to share for a Crochet Along (CAL) for members of the of the Crochet Guild of America's online group. I've improved the written pattern and added some elements so you can make a cat, dog, rabbit or bear. I'm hoping others will get even more creative. I think this pattern can adapt to just about a pirate or a monster perhaps. One member on the list wants to make skeletons.





A few days ago I finished this book mark. It's my second completed protect done in #20 thread. All of the doilies I have made were done using #10 thread which is not quite 1/2 bigger than #20 thread. I have to use a much smaller hook too. I just might go blind!

I used a coaster pattern by Patricia Kristoffersen my favorite doily designer. The coaster should have been about 4" in diameter using #10 thread. #20 thread made the coaster a perfect book mark motif at about 2"



I have completed a few other things that I will share soon but if you want a sneak preview just take a through my photo gallery.

It's fillet of tea

My first project using #20 thread and my first thread fillet project. Surprisingly, it was an enjoyable project. Fillet is combination of chains and double crochets to create a picture. Usually I find double crochets repetitive not to mention boring! At the time, it was the perfect almost meditative process I needed.

It was a perfect gift for my secret pal who collects tea pots and loves vintage like things.

Secret Pal Package - Thank You!

Secret Pal Pacakge
Originally uploaded by sammimag.

I got a great package in the mail today from my secret pal on crochetville.

I love it all. I have finished up a few projects recently and needed something new to do so this came just at the right time.

I got thread too! Lovely crocheted dishcloths in my favorite color, purple.

She sent a birthday card for my son who just turned eight.

Thank You Secret Pal you are the best!

Adorable....I think so....

I am such a cheat. This was an old post from my old blog. I am moving some of the post over but archiving them. This one I thought would be fun to share again and it's a post for NaBla too.

I'm 14 months young without a worry in the world.

Secret Pals and such

I decided to do the Secret Pals again for the Autumn round. I accidentally revealed myself to my secret pal. I think it was meant to be and so does my pal. We share so much in common. She homeschools, I homeschool my kids. Not only that she was excited to find out that I unschool my kids too and we've been talking about that. We also love yarn, crochet, spinning, making doilies, etc....

It doesn't mean the spoiling will stop. She still might need another PK doily book even though she has one already because you can never have too many doily books. She needs pretty vintage things because that's what she likes. You can read her blog here.

I have heard from my Secret pal a few times too. She asked me some questions to get to know me better which is cool. It's nice to get a happy e-card in my inbox too. I'm looking forward hearing more from her in the future.

Espresso Doily

Espresso is a Patricia Kristoffersen Doily from Coffee 'N' Cream.

I'm a bit disappointed how this turned out. Part of it puckered even after blocking. It still looks okay though. I think I need to work on my tension when doing the outer ring. The upside down picot were challenging to be nice about it!

This was my first time working with a better quality thread too. I use Opera from Coats and Clark. I loved it feel so shiny and smooth. It was almost too smooth! It took me some getting used to because my thread would slip of my hook.

Someday I want to make this again and have it turn out perfect. I need to let my memory fade a bit with the pesky upside down picot.

You can see more pictures of the doily in my doily set.

Amaretto - Doily Number #5

Amaretto
Originally uploaded by sammimag.

Amaretto is a Patricia Kristoffersen Doily from Coffee 'N' Cream.

This book is out of print but I was able to get a used copy off eBay for not too much even after shipping. This picture barley shows the lovely raised stitches that are ( I think) are signature of PK's designs.

Amaretto is now gracing my daughters dresser. You can see more pics of the doily in my doily set on flickr (just scroll down on my side bar to find the link.) I just love the texture in PK doilies. The next PK doily is for me. I just ordered some thread and will start my doily as soon as I get it.

Right now I am working on a doily using a motif from a book. I plan to use that doily in the bathroom. I'm using a dark purple thread so the white porcelain in the bathroom will show off the design quite nicely, I think.