Blog Award!

Thank you Lilani for the special blog award! I would give it right back to you if I could!!

I will celebrate with a cocktail or wine after ballet tonight!

Now to award my 5 (who should post this award to their blog and award another 5 bloggers). This is in no particular order.

1. Chelsea at http://chelseatalkssmack.blogspot.com/ I'm sure she won't see this award, but Iseriously love reading her blogs! They're really quirky and hilarious.

2. Brie at http://theurchiness.blogspot.com/ for Sunday Loves, and her beautiful knits & fiber work

3. Alessandra at http://alessandrahayden.blogspot.com/ for her wonderful crochet designs

4. CT at http://weehourstitches.blogspot.com/ because I love taking a look into her life in Mexico filled with crochet and adorable daughters.

5. Libby at http://mykraftykreations.blogspot.com/ for her great fusion of photography and crochet

ladies - I love reading and getting inspired by all your crafty blogs. Keep it up!

Is it Fall yet?

As I stepped outside at 7:45 this morning to head into work, the air felt heavy, hot, and thick with a strong smell of smoke. It's officially fire season! Ugh - I'm so over this heat! Another 100 degree day!

I went to see Green Day on Tuesday night at the LA Forum - awesome show!! They played a 3 hour set! It was the last performance on their tour and it was a sold out show. There was only about 5 songs I didn't know (off their new album) and the rest was the old stuff that I know and love! Love Dookie & Nimrod. Billie Joe is such a great performer and would pull people up on stage throughout the whole set. One guy go to play Billie's guitar for a full song and another got to sing "She". Both followed by a stage dive! Probably the best night those guys' lives, I'm sure! Kristen and I had sooo much fun, as shown by the bruises on our legs from dancing the night away (and banging out knees on the chairs in from of us - ouch!). It was a great night - followed by a much needed day off work.

I've been working on more 12x12 squares for my block exchange. Here are the one's I've made recently:

I've received some really nice squares & I can't wait to put together the finished blanket!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Mission: Yarn Organization

was a success!

Before...

And After...

Much better, wouldn't you say?

I also just got this hat in the mail today. It was for a silly hat swap. You can't see it in the picture, but there is a pointy bobble on the top.

Happy Monday everyone!!

I'm in love...

... with my newest creation! I will admit - the idea didn't come out of nowhere. I have been admiring this necklace pattern for a while now, but I couldn't find the pattern for purchase anywhere! So - I did my own version. It's similar, but different. Without further adieu, here are the pictures!

I have a couple for sale in my etsy store. See link to the right.

Would you like to know how I made it??

It's very simple! I started with the round wooden pendant, royale crochet thread size 3, and a 1.5mm hook.

note: I wrote this up really quickly, and from memory, if you need any clarification, let me know!

row 1: tie the thread onto the ring and start with 7 sc stitches (with the right side of the pendant facing you), ch4 and turn

row 2: 5 dc into the center sc stitch (skip 3 sc and dc into the 4th sc), shell made. ch1 and dc into the last sc stitch. ch4 and turn

row 3: 5 dc into the center sc stitch (skip 3 sc and dc into the 4th sc), shell made. ch1 and dc into the 3rd chain stitch (of previous ch4).

Repeat row 3 until desired length is achieved! I did about 21 shell rows

Optional modification, makes the shell stitches more spaced out:

row 1: same as above

row 2: sc across, ch4 turn (wrong side)

row 3: 5 dc into the center sc stitch (skip 3 and dc into the 4th), shell made. ch1 and dc into the last sc stitch. ch1 and turn

row4: sc across ch4 turn

Repeat row 3 & 4 until desired length is achieved! I did about 11-13 shell rows.

Finishing rows:

row1: ch3 - dc across. If working the first option you will working these stitches in the shell. If you are using option 2, its easiest to end on a sc row and dc across the sc stitches. (7dc) ch3 turn

row2: dc in first dc, dc-dec across the remaining stitches. (4 dc) ch1, turn

row 3: sc dec across (2 sc) ch1, turn

row 4: sc dec across (1 sc) ch 55 (give or take, until desired length is achieved for ties) finish off!

Repeat for second strand.

Happy Friday!

For some reason, this week has felt so incredibly long! But it's finally Friday! yay! I'm looking forward lots of craft time this weekend =D Here's what I've been up to:

I received an amazing angel package from Cadilily on Rav. I had a flake of a swap partner in June & Cadi volunteered to send me an angel package. It was so fun to open since she wrapped everything individually with tissue and ribbon! (note to self: do that with my next swap package.) Here's a picture of the awesome goodies:

(click picture to enlarge)

The purple yarn is silk which I've never worked with before! The forest green is hand dyed wool & the other green is hand spun. She included lots of other fun goodies such as chai tea (my fav) a ceramic handmade button, a "love" tile, candle and gummy candies. A big "Thank you!" goes out to her!

I recently found out that a family member will be getting married in January up in Washington State! My dorky self thought... hmm... it will be cold there in January (more so than here in SoCal) which means I will need a warm and cozy hat to match my cabled cowl! So that is exactly what I made! I decided on a cloche style so that It wouldn't completely flatten my curls like a beanie would but would still keep my head nice and toasty! I really like the textured stitches and how its somewhat vintage/retro style. I'm considering weaving a brown or black ribbon instead of the long chain. Any thoughts?

Sorry the pictures aren't the best, I haven't had a chance to pose it on the mannequin head:

Last night I started working on these babies using the rose pink cotton yarn I received from my swap partner Debbie!

1 down - 1 more to go! Hoping I don't run out of yarn, but I'm pretty sure they carry it at my LYS if I need more. With these gloves, I'm brainstorming about weaving an cream colored ribbon either at the bend of the wrist of at the base of the glove, just to give it a more feminine and dainty look. Not sure though - it might take away from the stitch pattern. What do you think?

Have a great day & wonderful weekend all!

I Want To Go Back, Back, Back to School Again...

I'm now officially back to school. It was great to dance again and I'm really looking forward to ballet tonight. Monday was the first dance class I've taken in almost a year due to an ankle injury. My ankle has been all healed up and I've really missed dancing! Thank goodness for muscle memory! My body knew exactly what to do and with a little practice, I'm sure I'll be up to par in no time! If only I could take tap.... oh, how I miss playing with rhythms! (the only class offered conflicts with work).

Pharmacology is going to be a LOT of work. The teacher even said so herself, it is not an easy class. Good thing she's funny, interesting to listen to, and seems to really care about the students' education. I just have to stay on top of things & not get behind.

I made this hat on Monday. I love love love the colors! (wool yarn from a swap with Brie) I call it my Autumn Leaves Slouch =D

I found this pattern (rav link) that I'd LOVE to make. Its from an old issue of Interweave Crochet. Does anyone know how I can get my hands on the pattern? Are they sold online somewhere?

Time for me to make more flower scrubbies! I include them in all my travelling scarf and block exchange packages. Have a happy hump day!

My First Pattern

Puff Striped Slouch Hat

by Ashley Kaye

For this project I used an “K” hook and worsted weight yarn, Caron One Pound.

Gauge: After round 3, I measured about 3 1/2” in diameter. Round 8 was about 8 1/2” in diameter.

Pattern does not require very much yarn, less than one skein. Great stash buster!

Stitches:

Hdc = half double crochet

PS = puff stitch: *yo insert hook in next stitch, yo and pull up loop* repeat 3 times. Yo pull through all

loops on hook

Hdcdec = half double crochet decrease (*yo insert hook in next stitch, yo draw up loop* repeat. Yo draw through all loops on hook.

MC = main color (for mine it was brown)

PC = puff color (mine was beige)

Begin with a magic loop.

Round 1: Using PC * puff stitch in loop, hdc* repeat 5 more times. Join at top of puff stitch. Fasten off

Round 2: Join MC where PC was fastened off. Ch2 (counts as hdc in this row and throughout) 2 hdc

in each stitch around. Join at top of ch2

Round 3: ch2, hdc in same stitch. * 1 hdc in next hdc stitch, 2 hdc in next hdc stitch* repeat all the

way around and join at top of ch2

Round 4: ch2, hdc in same stitch. * 1 hdc in the next 2 hdc stitches, 2 hdc in the next hdc stitch*

repeat around and join at top of ch2. Fasten off.

Round 5: Join PC. Ch2 PS in the same stitch, *ch1, skip next hdc stitch, PS in next hdc stitch* repeat

around and join to the top of PS. Fasten off.

Round 6: Join MC at top of PS. Ch2, hdc in same stitch *hdc in ch1 space, 2 hdc in top of PS* repeat

around and join to top of ch2.

Round 7: ch2, hdc in same stitch *hdc in the next 5 hdc, 2 hdc in the next stitch* repeat around and

join to top of ch2.

Round 8: ch2, 1hdc in each hdc stitch around, join to top of ch2.

Round 9: repeat round 5.

Round 10: join MC, ch2. *1hdc in top of puff stitch, 1 hdc in ch1 space* repeat around, join to top of

ch2.

Round 11: repeat round 8

Round 12: ch2, hdc in next 3 stitches, * hdcdec over next two stitches, hdc in next 4 stitches* repeat

around and join to top of ch2

Round 13: repeat round 5

Round 14: repeat round 10

Round 15: ch2, hdc in next 4 stitches *hdcdec over next two stitches, hdc in next 5 stitches* repeat

around and join to top of ch2.

Round 16: repeat round 12

Round 17: repeat round 5

Round 18: repeat round 10

Round 19 & 20: repeat round 8. Fasten off.

Enjoy your new hat!! Feel free to make it for gifts or for sale. All I ask is that you reference me as the pattern designer.

Also, here is a link to the PDF if you prefer(it's easier to read and follow): Puff Striped Slouch Hat (it will automatically download once you click the link). Please note that on the PDF It suggests an "I" hook. I have since changed to a "K" as many have found it easier to obtain the gauge with the "K". Enjoy! and please let me know if there are any errors. Thanks!

My Own Creation!

This is the first hat that I completely improvised! It's done with a combination of puff stitches and hdc. Whatcha think?

I've also made a couple more granny squares for the block exchange:

Hope you all are having a great weekend. I go back to school tomorrow... how lame is that?? lol I feel like the summer flew by! I won't have as much craft time since I'll be taking night classes. =( On the plus side, I'll be dancing again!

Sling bag giveaway

just wanted to share this giveaway with you all. It's a really cute hand sewn sling bag. Check it out on grosgrain:

Sew Cute Shop Amy Butler Birdie Sling GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Fun Things

At the end of last month I decided to treat myself to a Little Black Box. I finally got it in the mail last weekend! It was so much fun to open and see all the fun goodies. They're all sample pieces from different etsy stores. My favorites were the doggie treats, handmade soaps, jeweled bookmark, and gift tags. Here's a picture of all my treasures:

On Monday I was so excited to receive my slouch hat in the mail from a hat swap!! It was perfect because she knits and I crochet, so we we're able to receive a hat that we couldn't make ourselves. Here's what she made for me, she called it the SoCal Slouch =-D

Also, our catcus flower has blossomed! It's our little taste of Tucson to remember our short stay in AZ.

Here's some of the headbands I've made lately, I love the colors!

Time to start dinner!

A Wonderful Night

Last Saturday, Brandon and I were invited to join his parents to celebrate their 29th wedding anniversary. Great food, great company and an excuse to dress fancy? How could we refuse? My father in law planned an amazing night! As I mentioned before, we are all big foodies and really enjoy a wonderful meal. He arranged for a chef's tasting with wine pairing at this excellent restaurant in downtown LA called The Watergrill. I tried to take pictures of all the courses (there were 8!) but most of them were devoured before I remembered the camera. They were all delicious!

Here are a few photos from the night:

We rode in style!

Cheers!

Yumm-O!

I have so many things to post about but have not had a chance to upload pictures from my camera lately. So for now, my camera phone will have to do...

I baked a delicious cream cheese pound cake last night! If you're not familiar with Bakerella, check her out! She has me salivating with every blog post! I got this pound cake recipe from her. It had people at work fighting over the last bites.

Also, notice the cute little doilies under the cake? I had won them from a giveaway on oh, hello friend's blog. They're so fun!

Have a great day everyone! I will be busy making more headbands =D

Red Beret with a Bow

Originally this was all going be red, but I ran out of the yarn with only a few rows to go. So, I pulled out a row and used that yarn to make the bow (which is on a broach pin), and finished the brim with a charcoal grey. I think it turned out really cute!

Its the same pattern that I used for the colorful rasta style hat I made a month or so ago. It's called Phannie (Ravelry link).

Earflap Cap

I whipped out this hat today while at work. It is for a "significant other" hat swap. Don't tell my husband but he will soon be getting a knitted beanie! This is the one I made for the swap. I think I'll make another to put up on my store.

Hope I'm lucky!

I thought I'd pass along this awesome giveaway : free stationary for a year! You can find it on Tea For Joy.

yummy yummy + happy dance!

After dinner, I checked the chocolate and they were ready to be eaten... omg! Way worth the wait! They just melt in your mouth with the creamiest of milk chocolate - yum!! Thanks Debbie!

ALSO! Before yoga tonight I decided to check my email one last time annnnd ... another sale!! 4 in one day! This is too good to be true - I am SO excited and I just can't hide it! Happy dance!! It was the other hat that I made on Sunday - the 4 colored striped one! I can't wait to make and list some more!

Swap Package

I received my swap package from Deb in the mail today

I love the colors and I can't wait to play with them! Unfortunately, with the heat we've been having, the chocolate bars were melted and sloshy within the wrappers. They are now in the freezer. Here is where I have to exercise patience since I have to wait to eat them! =-D

On another note, I made 2 etsy sales yesterday!! I found out this morning when I logged on my computer at work - it made my day! One was for the blue summer slouch I just listed on Monday and the other was for a flower slouch hat & headband (made to order). I am very excited!

Have a great night all! It's time for some leftover soup!

Summer Soup

To continue with my "lets eat healthy" kick, which is really only in play a portion of the time, I made a Summer Squash Soup last night. It turned out really good - even my husband liked it!

Here's the recipe if you'd like to give it a try. It's out of a Healthy Cooking Magazine:

Yield

4 servings (serving size: about 2 cups)

Ingredients

• 6 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 3 cups water
• 2 1/4 cups uncooked farfalle (about 6 ounces bow tie pasta)
• 2 cups finely chopped yellow squash
• 2 cups finely chopped zucchini
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil

Preparation

Bring broth and water to a boil in a Dutch oven. Add pasta, and cook 8 minutes or until almost tender. Add squash and the next 7 ingredients (through pepper). Reduce heat, and simmer 4 minutes or until pasta is done and squash is tender. Sprinkle with cheese and basil.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

269 (15% from fat)

Fat:

4.6g (sat 2.5g,mono 1.2g,poly 0.5g)

Protein:

16.5g

Carbohydrate:

39.4g

Fiber:

3.4g

Cholesterol:

10mg

Iron:

2.6mg

Sodium:

912mg

Calcium:

210mg

The only changes I would make is adding less pasta and more broth.

On a side note, it makes me really happy when my fruit bowl is overflowing with goodness!

Hat x 2!

I made two more hats for my etsy store yesterday.

4 color striped tam:

Blue Summer Slouch

More pictures and details on my projects page (rav link)

Shawl Pix

I finally got around to taking picturs of my other two shawls today.

into my shop they go!

More pictures on my ravelry projects page.