Saturday Command Center

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Hi there. It’s been awhile, huh? I’ve been crafting some, but nothing like usual. We’ve had my brother’s dog (#Brodsmontana) on and off since January. While I adore him and he’s a love, he’s not helpful for crafting so I don’t get much done.

Since he’s back to my brother’s now for the foreseeable future, I thought I’d get back to crafting and blogging some.

Today seemed like a good day to start. I’m in the car, headed to NJ for a cousin’s wedding, crocheting away!

Next weekend I’ll be in Chicago and maybe doing some kiddo crafts! Can’t wait. Any thoughts on crafts I can do with an almost 5 year old boy and an 11 year old girl? I’m thinking rockets…

Crochet-a-long with @sugarbeecrafts and @733blog, you in?

UntitledI’m trying hard to use the materials I have on hand for a few reasons. The first being that I have so much and it’s become a little intimidating. The second and equally if not more important, the more I use the less I have to move when the time comes.  I found this Crochet-A-Long and decided that this would be a good push to get through some materials.

Project Crochet, a crochet-a-long hosted by Kim of 733 Blog, Heather of Twin Dragonfly Designs, and Mandy of Sugar Bee Crafts, is on like Donkey Kong. I don’t have big projects to do, but I have enough small ones to keep me busy for the month and beyond. It’s a good month for it. Sure the Olympics are on, but that doesn’t take any real focus from me. And we’re going on a road trip.

I like a challenge and I’ll try to stick this one out. Saturday, I posted one of the projects as part of Saturday Morning Command Center  which I ended up finishing over the weekend. Now to decide which of my little friends turning 6 it will go to!

The pink yarn? Got wrapped back up into a ball for now. It’ll speak to me and tell me what it wants to be.

Friday Five – Products that I puffy pink heart – Crochet

wristersHey there, I’ve had some crafting friends ask me what products I like to use for different projects. I thought I’d take a few minutes and tell you that. I’ll break it down into different areas and today is CROCHET day.

First things first. I’m naming particular brands because I personally like them. I’ve spent my own money or received them as gifts from friends and am being in no way compensated by the company to write anything about them. The links below marked with a * are affiliate links.

Second things second, but not less important. This is what I like to use, if you don’t like it, oh well! We all have our personal preferences.

  1. Susan Bates Silvalume Crochet Hooks* Specifically, lately, the J-Hook. For most of my crochet work, the J-Hook is an invaluable tool. Don’t get me wrong, the H, the I, and N are good too. I basically never work in less than an H-Hook. I just don’t have the patience.
  2. Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice Yarn. I really do like this yarn a lot for many types of projects. The colors are awesome and plentiful, the yarn is soft but durable and it’s not wool. This girl can’t use wool yarn. It’s also heavy enough to be warm, but not ridiculous to work with for bigger projects.
  3. For home I’m a huge fan of the Fiskars 5-Inch Micro-tip Scissors * Mine are similar to those but have a different handle. They’re super sharp and excellent for any fabric or yarn trimming. For the road I’m a big fan of Fiskars Softgrip Kids Scissors.* They’re handy and I’m less likely to hurt myself with them in the car. They’re also excellent for paper projects while traveling.
  4. Gallon sized freezer bags. I’m not even kidding here crafters! This is a trick I learned from my G-d mother. If you have more than one project going on or you’re traveling about with your project, put it in a gallon sized freezer bag with the directions, the hook you’re using, and your yarn. It will help keep your project and yarn clean and you’re not left wondering which hook you might have been using. Not every J Hook is created equally! Actually, the H-Hook from my grandmother is slightly smaller than the ones made currently and in some projects you can see where you changed. Keep the hook with your project.
  5. Pinterest and Ravelry. I can’t tell you how much I love these two resources. I’m sure you’ve heard of them, but on the off chance you haven’t? Well, now you have. There are an endless list of places to get patterns for projects but these two are my go to for inspiration and patterns.

Those are some of mine, what are some of yours?

I took a little break, but I’m back!

After completing the cupcake blanket I needed a break from intense crafting and then I got hurt. Rather than bleeding on stuff, I kept focusing on some digital stuff for a bit.

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I designed a new hat one night when I couldn’t sleep and it turns out my friend was giving birth around then so I named that one after her little one, Claire.

Next week I’ll be sharing some more of my work, but here’s a little something I’ve been working on.

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Tentatively they’re called Zippy Zarfs but I could change my mind.

I’ve also been focusing a lot of creative energy on cooking yummy gluten free food and pulling together cute or snappy outfits for work.