Spicy Diamond Blanket Progress & Scarves

Hi everyone!! Well I have been working on my diamond blanket for the past couple of days. I have all my orange full diamonds completed and now working on my mustard yellow ones. I am loving how they are working up!!

In the first picture you can actually see the mustard yellow color compared to the other two. I am going to work up all the full diamond ones in each color and then do the half diamond ones and so on and so forth.

You may remember me writing about hooking up a couple of items for my sister prior to her trip to Amsterdam. Well life does get in the way and I didn't complete the scarves in time for her trip but I have a couple of Christmas presents completed in March. Hey you gotta make those lemons into lemonade!!

Love how the cardinal red scarf turned out especially with the added row of buttons. I tried the Lion Brand Scarfie yarn for the blue denim one. My review on this yarn is that it is okay but I don;t think I will work with it again. I don't think the ombre affect really works and I prefer soft yarn for scarfs where this yarn is an acrylic mix that is on the rough side.

I ended up going with my own pattern for the Cardinal Scarf. I just did the Long Crossover Double Crochet stitch in a width I liked and length that I thought worked. The denim ombre scarf is the Estelle Button Cowl pattern by Fiber Flux. I made it into a scarf instead of a cowl.

Until next time everyone take care and stay creative!!

Cheers,

Winnie

My Geeky Love of Project Planning

My Geek Confession

Yes, I am such a geek when it comes to being organized and planning! My daughter makes fun of me when I get excited about a spreadsheet or accounting program. What can I say? I'm a geek!!

So speaking of My Geeky Love of Project Planning, I found a gorgeous and I mean gorgeous tote bag pattern on Ravelry just the other day. I of course saved it into my Library, but I couldn't just leave it in there. I kept looking at it and pulling up everyone's project info. I really do not have the time or yarn to do the project right now. I have way too many other projects that I need to conquer and complete, but there isn't anything wrong with "planning the project", right?

The project is The Enchanted Garden Tote by Courtney Laube. Now this isn't just some ordinary tote it is definitely Enchanted!! You have to use 3 different patterns to complete this tote. Yes, you read correctly, 3 different patterns! It will be a challenge. I will have to only have this pattern on my docket when it comes time to begin.

Picture courtesy of AFwifeCrochetNut 

Picture courtesy of AFwifeCrochetNut

Now isn't that just a beautiful project!! I have printed all of the patterns, which came to over 100 pages. I placed them in a 3 hole folder with tabs. I have highlighted areas that I need to keep an eye on when I begin the project such as when to switch from pattern to pattern. Yes, you have to work with all 3 patterns at the same time. Like, you might need to use pattern 1 for rows 1 - 7 and then pattern 3 for rows 9-13 then back to pattern 1 for rows 14 - 16 and then pattern 2 for rows 17 - 21 and so forth and so forth. So I am definitely reading this complete project prior to beginning it.

I have actually set up its own board in my Pinterest account. I am looking at different color schemes and pinning other completed projects to this board. I just love the looks of this project and if the first one turns out great then I will make more as Christmas presents to a few of my sweet family members (only the sweet ones though)!

That is my Geek Confession for this week. Everyone have a great rest of the week!!

Cheers,

Winnie

Progress Report & New Queued Projects

Hello everyone!! We have had a very warm week here in the Wasatch Mountains. At least most of all the snow over my eaves have melted. I was starting to worry about the ice slab over my kitchen windows. We are expecting snow next week so yay!! It is a busy week in our town due to President's Week or Winter Break. Lots of people in town!! I think we have had maybe one week of little to no tourists here and luckily that was the week my son was visiting. It is what it is when you live in a resort town. I wouldn't change where I live for anything.

Just a quick progress report on how I am hooking along on my baby blanket. I am half way done and very pleased with how the colors are working up so lovely together.

I have also queued some new projects in my Ravelry account. My sister is going to Amsterdam next month and I wanted to make her a few items to keep her warm during her visit. She lives in Florida so really has no good beanies or scarves for wet cold weather.

A cute pairing of a cross over long double crochet stitch cowl and hat. A very well written pattern at Crochet n Crafts blog. I love finding matching items made by the same person who also writes great patterns. I plan on using a very pretty cardinal color. My sister has dark brown hair and looks great in all shades of reds.

Love this poncho by Garnstudio. The neck is actually knit so I will be using a rib crochet stitch for my neck instead. I plan on using a pretty oxford grey for both the poncho and cable twist beanie.
All patterns are free and have a link to the website or blog.

Everyone enjoy your weekend. I have a 3 day weekend, so I will be savoring every minute of it!!
I will leave you with some bright colored flowers. I have a few bulb plants on my kitchen counter absorbing all the luscious sunlight they can each day. This week my planter of daffodils bloomed and has just brighten my kitchen wonderfully.

Bright yellow daffodils with a nice hot mug of coffee to get my weekend started. Since tomorrow is Valentine's Day I thought the XOXO mug was appropriate.

Cheers,
Winnie

What's in the Project Bag?

Hello everyone! It has been unusually cold around here in the Wasatch Mountains, but this weekend it has warmed up considerably. Maybe some of the piles of snow will melt out of my courtyard.

I last wrote about working up a baby afghan for my boss. I finally received all the yarn I think I need. I had to order from 3 different websites, but finally received the colors that my boss likes. Also luckily today I received an email from Amazon showing that the Lion Brand Organic Cotton is in stock on their website as well. Bonus is that they are all available through Prime. So I might order a few more skeins just in case I need more.

So What's in the Project Bag?

I am loving the color combo! I was going to go with a ripple pattern but when I began hooking it up I just didn't like how this particular yarn looked. I decided to go with my Tried and True stitch the Linen Stitch. The bonus about this stitch is not only the stripey goodness it does, but it is a pattern that I can watch TV and hook at the same time without worrying about a missed stitch.

While waiting on the Lion Brand Natural Organic Cotton yarn to ship, I started on another project. I am using the gorgeous yarn my dear hubby gave me for Christmas. I did order another color through Craftsy. I really vibrant mustard yellow.

My camera didn't really pick up the yellow color all that well. I am working on a Spicy Diamond Blanket. It will be a long term project. This is one pattern that I cannot be distracted while working on. I came across the pattern on Pinterest and although I should have just pinned it I had to begin this project!!

This is the blanket that Kristen made up and provided such a wonderful pattern and tutorial on her website, Haak maar Raak.

I really loved that she also provided a layout template that you can print out blank. I played around with my layout and came up with the one you see in my project bin above. One thing I do love about searching for a project is the planning. 

On a different note, my son was in town this week and we were able to hang out and catch up. We enjoyed the empty slopes during the week.

He can be such a nut and always makes me laugh. But I am proud of the young man he has become.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Cheers,

Winnie

Winter Soup & Finished Projects

This weekend was a cold one!! We had a dusting of snow and I took time out to finish up my scarf and a beanie I decided to hook up to go with it.

I'm happy with it and it will keep me warm and cozy for the rest of this cold forecasted winter!

I am a soup lover and make a pot of soup each Sunday for my lunches through out the week. I came across a yummy looking soup on Pinterest the other day and just had to make it. It is called Veggistrone. I didn't add the cauliflower because I just don't like the texture or taste of it. But everything else was added and it makes a huge batch. I was able to freeze two gallon size ziploc bags of it. Now I won't have to make any soup this coming Sunday.

For most of the weekend I stayed inside sipping on cups of hot tea watching the snow fall. I did go out on Monday (since it was a holiday for me) and went skiing. The slopes were packed and my poor husband had to assist a poor guy who broke his leg. One thing about being a ski instructor, he stops to assist anyone who has fallen or looks distressed. It was good that he stopped because the guy's buddy was frantic and didn't know how to contact ski patrol. We still had a nice day on the slopes and of course I ended up taking a wrong turn and the husband had to wait for me to go back up the ski lift and finally take the "left at Albuquerque" (my Bugs Bunny analogy). We finished our day of skiing at our favorite pub, BoutTime. They serve this appetizer called Irish Nachos and they are just yummy. They are fried potato chips with bacon, sour cream, ranch dressing and cheese. Delicious!!

Stay warm and dry during these cold winter months. 

Cheers,

Winnie

What's in the Project Bag?

Hello everyone! I hope everyone's new year has been great thus far!

I have been very lack luster in working on any crochet projects these past few months. I have been suffering with some health problems and just haven't had the energy to do much of anything. But hopefully the health issue will right itself soon enough with the right med dosage.

So what do I have in my project bag right now?

I'm on the last part of this scarf. I just need to finish up with a row of single crochet and then add some fringe. I'm using Lion Brand's Heartland in Mammoth Cave (darker brown) and Grand Canyon. I love the natural tone of the scarf and it will get plenty of use this winter! We have had some great snow so far!!

One thing I hate is when I order a certain type of yarn just to see how I will like it and then they never have it in stock again! I bought this really pretty variegated yarn from Lion Brand. It is a natural organic type of yarn. I only bought 3 skeins in case I didn't like the feel of it. Well, I love it and it happens to be the perfect color for a gift for my boss. She will be having her first child in May and the color of this yarn matches perfectly with her baby room theme.

All the colors in this yarn goes with her baby's room but I cannot find any of this variation in stock on any of the yarn websites I like to purchase from. So I went with two colors that will match.

I think this trio of colors will be perfect. Now I have to decide on a pattern. I'm thinking a ripple. So this is a project that I need to put in my project bag very soon!

Okay I spoke about something I hate, now let me speak about something I just love! And that's opening a box full of yarn!!

A sweet Christmas gift from my sweet husband!

\

Cheers,

Wynette

Cookies & Stockings

It has been a busy week! We received some much needed snow and are expecting even more in the next few days. We will definitely have a white Christmas in the Wasatch Mountains!! One thing about living so far away from family is sending the nieces and nephews their Christmas presents and goodies. It takes close to 7 days for a shipment from me to them to arrive so that means I have to begin Christmas shopping and baking early. That is what I have been up to this week, baking cookies for all the kiddos!

Decided to go with the Ugly Christmas Sweater theme this year since the kids are becoming older. I must say next year they might just receive kits to do themselves! A lot of work went into these since I had to prepare them to ship. It was worth the time and effort though.

I'm definitely no Martha Stewart, but my daughter and I gave it our all. 

I also had to make a few batches of cookies for the adults as well. I also sent some to my son who cannot come home for the holidays this year. He is busy doing his duty for our country in the Air Force and I could not be more proud and understanding.

The Top Hat is resting on top of our Christmas tree and the stockings have all been hung. I can now relax until Christmas dinner and enjoy some egg nog and Christmas music.

I know it is a little early, but to everyone have a Merry Christmas!!