crocheting to save my mind!

Lapsquare Modified, etc

2009-07-11T04:30:00.000-07:00

I had a dream the other night that I had to put a border on the lapgsquare. I woke up with the shell pattern repeating in my head, lol! So, here it is completed! I'm so glad that I did. I think it looks so much better! :)

I also made another Friendship square! Yes, it's the Espresso in hunter green, lol!

Have a great day!!!!

Some things for Compassionate Creations

2009-07-08T13:17:00.001-07:00

Here are a few things I've done recently for Compassionate Creations. The wristwarmers are just either dc or hdc and done to fit my wrist,lol! I debated whether or not to post the pic of the lapsquare. It really doesn't look very good in the picture, but it is actually pretty! I made it with RHSS Frosty green and Artist Print held together. It's approx. 23x25. It should soften up nicely in the wash! The scarf is the only one that has a pattern for it. I got it off of Ravelry. It's called the Shelly Scarf by Robyn Stambaugh. It was very easy and quick to make! :) I used TLC Lustre claret and it is so soft!

More Squares and a Scarf!

2009-07-07T10:31:00.001-07:00

I've done it! I've finished my SAL Friendship Squares!!!! At least I'm caught up, lol! :) That's a huge weight off my mind! I've also made a scarf for Compassionate Creations this morning! I'm really behind on those, so better get going now that I'm done with the squares! I love the Espresso sq because it looks so pretty with so many different color combinations! Hope the ladies don't mind that a lot of them got the same pattern. I, also, have found the V stitch square which is very nice! The scarf is my own pattern. I works up very quickly. This time I used Bernat Softee Chunky in soft antique rose. It's so soft!

Kids Hat!

2009-07-05T12:43:00.000-07:00

I just realized that I never showed you the kids hat I made, LOL! It's for a friend's charity on C'ville. I'll be making some kids hats/scarves over the summer for her.

Lots of Squares!

2009-07-05T12:27:00.001-07:00

My hooks have been a blazin', LOL! I'm trying desperately to get caught up on my SAL Friendship sqs! I'm about half way there I think! :) I'm having lots of fun making these sqs. You'll see a lot of the same pattern repeated, but that's just because I LOVE these patterns so much! I have tried to "expand my horizans" some though! I've also made a simple DC/HDC kids scarf to match the hat that I made last week. And I made my BIL a couple of bath mitts. He has very poor manual dexterity and I've found that using a simple mitten pattern works great for him!

Scarves and Squares

2009-06-30T13:13:00.000-07:00

These are a few more quick scarves I've made for Compassionate Creations this week!

Here are some wristbands too! :)

Here are some Friendship squares that I've been working on for the SAL over on the SKY CAL at C'ville. I'm having a lot of fun, but I'm soooo far behind! LOL! Hope the ladies like them! I used a lot of the same pattern because, well, I have that one pretty well down and it comes out well for me, lol! I did try new patterns though! :) I used Pavo, Espresso, and On the Road Again

WooHoo! Another Scarf Done!

2009-06-25T06:40:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a special scarf project called the Stained Glass Motif this week. I joined the Sky CAL over on the 'ville last week and the project of the month is stained glass! Well, since I started so late in the month and all those ladies are working on a much bigger project, there is NO WAY I could catch up, lol! I saw this pattern for this afghan made in strips and thought that one strip would make a pretty scarf! :) Now, if you know me, I usually run from doing motifs, LOL! But I really enjoyed making this scarf! I found the pattern in the All American crochet Afghan book. The pattern is by Tammy Hildebrand. Hope you like! :)

I'm Baaaacccckkkk!!!!!! LOL!

2009-06-24T06:24:00.000-07:00

Sorry that I've been MIA! I just haven't felt like blogging lately :( I did have my gallbladder surgery in March and it went really well! I NO LONGER have THAT pain. YAY!!! I did, however, end up with pneumonia after the surgery which really knocked me on my feet and I have had a hard time getting back up since. I'm still running a higher than normal temp every day and just feeling exhausted! I'll be going to a rheumatologist for some testing soon.
On the crocheting front, I didn't get much done for a while, but I have recently started getting my groove back, lol! It's about time! :)

Here are five scarves I made for Compassionate Creations. The middle one is a free pattern from the lionbrand site called the waffle stitch scarf.

Squares for a lady on C'ville for a comfortghan

I'll be making some kid's hats and scarves for a C'ville friends charity

Another scarf for Compassionate Creations from a lionbrand pattern!

This is a 12" sq for my SKY friend Jessica on C'ville. It's called Eternal Braid by Chris Simon.

A Quick Post Before Surgery!

2009-03-10T10:06:00.001-07:00

Well it is National Crochet Month, so I figured I'd better post at least twice this month, lol! I've made a few scarves in the past couple of days, so thought I'd post them. Nothing fancy, just simple things, but they keep me busy and my mind off the upcoming surgery! I made a few sqs too for a sick little baby in England. One of the ladies on Crochetville is making a comfortghan for her. Sure wish I could do more, but I did what I could. Seems like I've been making a LOT of sqs for comfortghans lately! Lots of folks needing hugs and prayers.
Well, here are the pics! I'll have more next week. I have yarn and hooks packed for the hospital, lol!

Getting Caught Up!

2009-03-08T03:07:00.000-07:00

Well, since I'm such a terrible blogger, I'm going to just post a ton of pics of what I've been up to lately, lol! I have had a few things going on, one of them being having a new granddaughter being born!!! Yes, you will see a pic of her too! :) Ashlyn was born on March 26th!

It seems that I'm been making a lot of squares for comfortghans lately, so you'll see a few of those. I also managed a couple of blankets! Of course, there are some scarves for Compassionate Creations! My really goods news is that Compassionate Creations was chosen as the charity of the month for March for Crochetville's Community Ad Grants Program! We have a banner ad running all month for free! Thank you Amy and Donna!

Since I'm not here much, you might not miss me, lol, but I won't be here for a few days. I'm having surgery next week. Time to have this painful gallbladder out! Hopefully it will take away one pain. The gastroparesis has been getting worse, so one less pain will be good! :)

Ok on to the pics! Sorry for not including any patterns. If you want to know, just ask and I'll try to figure it out, lol!

Have a wonderful day!

A Couple Baby Items

2009-02-17T16:36:00.000-08:00

I have a new granddaughter due any day now, so I've made a couple of things recently. I think they came out pretty cute! The first is a Papoose pattern that I bought from here. It was very easy to make! :)

Next is a blankie and hat. I love making RR's! This is a very easy pattern that I got from a lady on Crochetville. I liked the color combo from a pattern that I had purchased from Maggie Weldon, so I used those!

I've made a few other things to, but I already gave them to the soon to be new mom and forgot to take a pic, lol!
I've been making scarves of course but I'll save pics of those for another day. Wouldn't want to overdo. It has been a while since I've updated you know, lol! Have a wonderful night everyone!!!!

Happy New Year!!!!

2009-01-01T11:09:00.000-08:00

My Gosh It's been a while since I've posted anything! I have been busy, but we had a nasty ice storm that left us without power for almost a week and that really threw us off balance around here, especially since it was just before Christmas! Yikes, people really seemed to lose the Christmas spirit, and I must admit that I was one of them, at least for a little while. I did get it back though! :) However, I did not get everything done that I usually do for the holidays, but I also didn't stress out about it! I have other things to stress about, lol! Let's hope that 2009 is a much better year for all of us! Ok, enough gabbing, lol, here's what I've been up to!

I'm in a monthly scarf CAL on Crochetville and this is my scarf for January! I made it like this because Jan reminds me of the blue ice on the rocks that I always saw along Rt 2 going to western MA when visiting my relatives as a child. I always thought it was so pretty!

These are the scarves and wristbands that I was able to make during the ice storm/power outage! It isn't easy crocheting by lantern light, lol! Amazingly they don't look too bad!

Here are the rest of the scarves and wristbands I made during December....

I received an amazing Christmas present from my son, Jeremy...he made me a hook! Look at how beautiful it is! It's a "g" and made of oak. I love, love, love it!

Oh, and for those that may be wondering....I did manage to finish the kitties-in-row blankie for my granddaughter for Christmas! YAY!!! Although, I still think it looks more like bunnies in a row, lol! I don't know what I did wrong! Hopefully I'll find out some day!

Well, I guess that's going to be all for today. I have made a few other things, squares and such, but I don't know what I did with the pics, lol!
Til next time, stay well! Hugs, Ann

A Few things From My Hook

2008-11-30T14:11:00.000-08:00

I only have a few minutes to post, but I have been busy even though I've been feeling lousy. Yeah, same old story, lol! I'll come back later to edit in the pattern links where I can!

These will all be going to K.I.D.S. the Charity Bandits charity of the month
These are Rock People Snowkids that I just tested for Crochetsal on the 'ville. I love this pattern! They were very easy to make and even DH thinks they're cute!

A snake scarf

4 Hats

It's Holiday RAOK time at Crochetville and I got RAOK'd!
someone sent me this beautiful card and bookmark!

and someone else sent me a box full of these goodies! They also included things for DH and DBIL! I start tearing up again just thinking of it!

Well, that's all. The beagle is saying "feed me", LOL! Til next time! Have a wonderful evening!

It's been to long!

2008-11-19T07:15:00.000-08:00

Wow I am a lousy blogger, lol! It's been way to long since I've been here! I've been feeling really crappy lately and just didn't want to write it down. Denial, that's my motto! The gastroparesis is more difficult to deal with than I could imagine and the meds are messing with me as usual. I'll give them a bit longer, then I'll have a talk with the doc!

The good news is that I finally finished ONE Christmas present, lol! I finally made the spiderman ghan for my grandson, Jesse! I hope he likes it! You can find the pattern here. LOL, my bearded collie likes the ghan too!

Here are some scarves and wristbands that I got done in between rounds of the ghan, lol!

This beautiful scarf is one that I just finished testing for jessicagil. It is called the Double Shell Scarf. I believe you will be able to get the pattern here

Here's a little spiral snake I made. The pattern can be found here from a wonderful designer on C'ville!

She also designed these snowflakes! I used a larger thread than the pattern calls for. My hands just can't take the smaller stuff, but I think they came out nice! Now I just have to learn how to block them, lol! Oh, and I still have to weave in the ends obviously :)

And last, but not least, here's a hat I made for K.I.D.S., a project we're doing for November in the Charity Bandits group that I belong to.

Until next time....have a great week!

Santa Hug Scarf

2008-11-01T14:21:00.000-07:00

Here's a pic of the scarf pattern that I've been testing for rsisland over on Crochetville. I believe she will have it for sale very soon! It is so cute! I love this pattern and will be making more! It was very easy to make and went very quickly!

Quick Update

2008-11-01T09:27:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd pop in and update what I've been up to, lol! Yes, I have been crocheting! :) The FARA Squares Challenge over on the 'ville has come to an end (I'll miss the commraderie!), but I'm happy to report that we exceeded our goal! We have made enough squares for over 16 blankets! Isn't that amazing! Angelfire, the woman that put this all together, is going to be VERY busy putting all these squares together! It's a good thing that she has until next year!
Here are my sqs from days 28, 29 and 30

I've also managed a couple more scarves in the past day or two, plus some wristbands. These are all for Compassionate Creations of course! :) The one on the left is called Playblocks and the one on the right is just a shell stitch.

That's all for now. I've been lucky enough to be selected to test a pattern for a very cute scarf for someone on the 'ville. I'll post more about that when it's done! Happy November! Don't forget to change you clocks! :)

FARA Challenge Sqs Days 26 & 27 Goal Met!!!!

2008-10-27T10:58:00.000-07:00

I made my goal of 63 squares today! :) That's one whole blanket that can be made! I really need to concentrate on making scarves for Compassionate Creations for the rest of this week, but I will try to fit in a few more squares before I mail the box out at the end of the week.

Day 26 The patterns are the Simple Little Heart Motif and the Espresso Sq (of course, lol!)

Day 27

And here's a Simple V-Stitch Scarf that I made with Vanna's Choice yarn. It's the first time I've ever used that brand. WOW! I love it! It's rather pricy for me, so I had never purchased it before, but Michael's had it on sale that last time I was there, so I picked up a few skeins. Boy, am I glad I did. This scarf only took one skein of yarn! Can't beat that! :)

FARA Challenge Sqs Day 25

2008-10-26T05:03:00.000-07:00

I managed 2 more squares yesterday. I got them in at the last minute. I really wasn't feeling well, so I didn't do much yesterday, but I did get these done and I read a couple of chapters in the library book that NEEDS to go back Tuesday, lol! I'm hoping that I'll adjust to this new medication quickly! I have way too much to do to feel so yucky!
Here are my squares (LOL, great photography....notice my foot!)

Have a wonderful Sunday!

FARA Challenge Sqs Days 23 and 24

2008-10-25T06:52:00.000-07:00

I've been pretty busy the last couple of days, so not much time for crocheting. Hubby had me looking at a new van the other day and we decided to purchase it. We really needed a new one. It's amazing how many miles you can put on a vehicle when you have to travel for doctor's visits! LOL, as a matter of fact, that's what I was doing the rest of the time! I still can't get rid of this eye infection that I've had for over a month. Bleck! So, back again in two more weeks. Double bleck!!! Of course, I did have my crochet bag with me! Here are the squares I managed while traveling :)

Day 23

Day 24

That's it for now! I really hope to get some scarves done this weekend, plus finish the library book that needs to be returned on Tuesday. I've already renewed it once and I'm only 1/2 way thru, lol! This eye infection is really making it difficult to read! Wish me luck! :) Have a super weekend!

FARA Challenge Sqs Day 19 thru 22

2008-10-23T09:28:00.000-07:00

Here I go, having to play catch up again, lol! It would be so much easier if I would just post here every day! Ya, right! Well, here are my squares to date. I'm now up to 52 squares! Only 11 more to go to make a whole blanket!!! :)

Day 19

Nothing for day 20 :(

Day 21

Day 22

Here's another scarf I managed to make for Compassionate Creations the other day too. I think it came out pretty nice and it was very quick and easy to do. I used a "P" hook and RHSS earth & sky and CSS brown. It's nice and soft and snuggly!

I seem to be missing pics of the other scarves that I've been making, so I'll have to get them together and take a pic before the month is out and they are all delivered to the crisis center!
Until next time! Have a wonderful day :)

FARA Challenge Squares Day 18

2008-10-19T04:27:00.000-07:00

I finally managed to make a Daisy Square!!! WOOHOO!!!! It took me a day and a half, but I got it done, lol! I have to thank my friend Cherri over on the 'ville for a question she asked when I was so frustrated with this thing! I was crocheting over my loops on rnd 4! (I think that's the rnd, lol) Anyway, that's what saved me from frogging for about the 10th time! It's such a cute square and really very easy once you figure it out! I now have 45 square done so far for the month. I just might manage enough for a whole blanket yet! Happy Sunday!

Hurray for the weekend!

2008-10-18T11:42:00.000-07:00

It's freezing here today, but it's sunny! I love New England in the Autumn. The colors are so pretty! Speaking of pretty... my DIL sent me some new pics of my sweet little granddaughter! She's wearing the poncho that I crocheted her for her 2nd birthday in a couple, so I thought I'd show her off. I think it looks very nice on her! I'm so happy!!! The pattern can be found at http://www.luv2crochet.com/freepatterns.html

I only managed to get 2 sqs done for the FARA challenge yesterday. I attempted to make Krystal's Daisy square, but I'm having a difficult time with it. I'm finished rnd 5 and supposed to have bars behind the petals? NOPE! I don't! I'll see if I can get some help from some friends. Anybody out there?!? LOL!

I also made 2 purple sqs yesterday for a "secret" 'ville ghan. Shhhh! we can't tell who it's for! This person really deserves it. I'll get them in the mail on Monday. I hope she likes them. I'm sure a lot of 'villers will contribute some beautiful sqs to this ghan!

That's about it, other than a lonely little soft white wristband that I haven't taken a pic of yet. Have a wonderful weekend! I'm off to try and figure out the daisy square, lol!

FA Awareness Challenge Day 16

2008-10-17T02:55:00.000-07:00

Here are my squares for day 16. I manage to get 3 done and one is even a new pattern! It was very easy to do! It is actually a 6" pattern, but I just added 2 extra rows and it came out perfectly to 8"! :) They are the Espresso Sq and the new one is the Popcorn Granny Sq.found on JPF

A Few Other Things That Have Been On My Hook!

2008-10-16T12:26:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been making a few other things besides the squares for FA, lol! Not as much as I should be doing, but I'm trying :)

Here is a shawl that I made for one of my DIL's that just miscarried her first child. It broke my heart to see her and my son go thru this as I know that they will be wonderful parents when the time comes. This shawl is calle "Remember Me Forever". I made it with CSS in rose violet.

Here are some scarves that I've been making for Compassionate Creations

And here's another craddle purse I made. This one's for Kristie's Toy Drive 2009 on Crochetville!

I guess that's it for today. Hubby's up and wants the 'puter, lol!

FA Awareness Square Challenge!

2008-10-16T11:37:00.000-07:00

I'm involved in the FA Awareness Square Challenge for the month of October over on Crochetville. Since I haven't been very good at posting here, I thought I'd do a slideshow to catch up, lol! It takes 63 squares to make a blanket, so hopefully I'll contribute at least that many. I'm over half way there!

Happy October!

2008-10-05T11:57:00.000-07:00

Wow! Can you believer that we're already 5 days into October! Yikes, I haven't started crocheting a single Christmas present that I'd planned yet! I'd better get moving, lol!

I have a bit of a confession to make....I've been in a, sort of crocheting slump. I think that I made so many scarves in such a short time for the Ancient Greek Games in August (a Crochetville challenge), for me at least, that I just got burned out! It's been a struggle to make them all month. How embarrassing is that when I'm asking other people to help me making them for Compassionate Creations! Aghh! Well, I got 12 done, plus only 7 wristbands. As you can see from the pics below, they aren't anything fancy, but they are from the heart and that's what counts.

I still haven't been feeling well, so that could have something to do with not wanting to crochet too, I suppose. I've had a couple of tests done and one more to go. So far they've come up with a diagnosis of "gastroparesis" and a spasming gallbladder. The meds they want to give me should go great with my seizures, lol! Ah, it's a wonderful life! What doesn't kill ya makes you stronger, right! :)
Til next time....Have a wonderful day!

Wow, It's been a while!

2008-09-28T11:10:00.000-07:00

Where does the time go, lol! Like I do so much around here, lol! I have been getting some crocheting in here and there! I have my "crochet bag" packed and ready to go at all times! It's been travelling with me to the doctor's office and for medical tests since I last wrote. You can get a lot done waiting for your turn in those places, lol! I've made preemie hats, squares for a baby blanket, and even a scarf! More testing coming up, so we'll see what I can get done :) I have to put a positive spin on this stuff or I'll go CRAZY!!!
OH! I have to send out a BIG thank you to a wonderful Crochetville friend! I have been trying to make this Awareness Ribbon Square for a while now with no luck! I just kept screwing it up! Well, she kept working with me to get it right. She even made a tutorial for me!!! What a sweetheart! Thank you so much Cyndi!!!! (((HUGS))) I finally got it right!!!!
Ok, enough talking (hmmm, typing, lol), time for some pics! Here's what I've been up to!
8" Awareness Ribbon Square

Squares for Men's Blanket for Charity Bandits. I believe these are the Fall and Espresso square
preemie hats and squares for baby blanket

I've made a few other things too(scarves of course!),I just haven't gotten around to taking pics yet! I'll do that soon! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Catching Up!

2008-09-16T13:58:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a few days since I've posted! These stinking migraines are back every day, which is also causing more frequent seizures, so it's cutting down on my crochet time! ARGHHH!!!! I have too much to do! LOL! I know, I know, I'm supposed to use the crochet as a way to relax and help with the seizures. That's how I got started crocheting in the first place! :) I just commited myself to a few too many things at once this month, and that put me behind on my scarves for Compassionate Creations....Oh, well, I'll get caught up. One thing that I learned about myself through the Crochet Games of Ancient Greece on Crochetville last month is that "I CAN DO IT!" Yeah!!!! My goal was to make 20 scarves and 20 wristbands in 16 days. I managed to make 28 of each in that time! Of course, my health has been suffering since, but I won't admit that to my DH!!!!
Enough rambing, lol! Here are the few things I've been working on lately.....

These are some preemie burial gowns that I made for this month's charity blitz on Crochetville. I'll post the pattern links as soon as I figure out how!

These are some square going to 2 different ladies on the 'ville for comfortghans. One for a sick baby and the other for a sick relative.

Here are some scarves and a wristband that I have done for Compassionate Creations so far this month. Again, I'll post links to patterns once I figure out how! The one on the far right is my own design.

That's all for today! The dogs are waiting for dinner, lol!

2008-09-12T10:23:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the most recent things that have been keeping me busy, lol! I've been making things for my grandkids (well mostly my granddaughter, but there is one for my grandson!)

2008-09-12T10:07:00.000-07:00

Sept.12, 2008

My very first post, lol! Well, what do I say? A little about the name of the blog? I started crocheting as a form of therapy after having my second brain surgery in two months. After a month in a rehab hospital, I was sent home to pretty much fend for myself. I needed to find a way to stimulate my brain! I have a very difficult time with numbers and figured this would be a fun way to work with them. I fell in love with crochet! It is a struggle on many occasions, but OH, my! has my life changed! Little did I know what was in store for me when I picked up my first hook 3 years ago! More on that later. Thanks for stopping by!