Christmas comes this time, each year...

Another Christmas update!

Mother's Blanket:

I'm getting closer each day! I have finished the third row on all of the squares...



Third Row

And I'm about halfway through the final rows...


Final Row

 I can't wait to finish it!

Dad's Scarf:

I have finally started to work on it. And it's turning out great, but there isn't much done yet.

Three sections done

Looking at the tree

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I have another project that will be added in...about a week. See you then!

Busy Bee!

I've been so busy I haven't even been able to update for a month. I have got quite a bit done and I've taught about what more I want to make for every one for Christmas.

Full View

Close Up

   Ta da! I'm finally finished with my aunt and uncle's blanket, that I started for them a while ago. I love how it has turned and I have even learned a few things that I can improve on in the future. I will update you on their reaction, when I give it to them.

[NO PICTURE AT THIS TIME. SORRY!]

I've gotten a little farther on my mother's blanket. I did not think I would like the colors so much, but I do (I'm not really that into pink). I'm trying to work on it as much as I can, but I'm been seriously loaded done with homework and projects, that I haven't done much to it, but I'm not to worried about it. I feel like I am keeping a good pace.

Christmas Present Ideas Update

Dad - Ok, I have decided that I am going to make a scarf AND some fuzzy dice. I haven't thought too much on what exactly they are going to look like, but it is in the works.

My little sis - My sister is complicated. I have gone through a bunch of things trying to figure out exactly what I'm going to do. Here are my 3 options: (1) Wizard of Oz pillows = Like I was talking about before, (2) A crocheted Scarlett O'Hara (from Gone with the Wind) doll = My sister is also in love with Gone with the wind. I already have the pattern, but I have never made a crocheted doll before, (3) Frank-n-Furter doll = I started on this doll last year and never finished it. This is the most likely choice of all of them.

I will work out all the bugs...hopefully.

Locked In

I've locked myself in my room and vowed to work on my mom's blanket. I've been getting a good amount done and I'm very confident that it will be done before Christmas. I'm really excited!

Close up of granny square.

I was watching Beaches while I was crocheting.

Achoo!

I'm sick...so sick! I'm laying in bed now trying not to cough my lungs out.


Anyway, this has given me time to work on the Christmas projects I talked about in the previous post. The first one I've started is my mom's granny square blanket. I'm actually having a good time making it. It's fun to see people's faces as they pass while I'm doing my crocheting at the universtiy.


I'm almost done with the centers of the squares. I'm well on my way.

In the middle of the center of the square

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

I know, I know. We still have a lot of time before Christmas is even near. I one of those people who say, "They keep bringing Christmas stuff out so early that next year, Christmas will probably be showing up after Easter!"


Yeah, well I don't want to wait to start on Christmas gifts till later, because knowing me they will be getting finished 5 minutes before they have to be opened. I'm making myself do it earlier this year. Hopefully it works out!

Working on sketches

My Gift List (To Make)

Mom (and Dad) - Granny Square Blanket

Pretty much like the one I'm making for my aunt and uncle. I figured why not make another one.

Dad - Tractor Ornament

My Dad has some kind of old 1950s Ford Tractor (don't ask my what kind...I have no idea). This is the first idea that popped into my head. I don't know what else to make. I feel like it won't hold up to my mom's blanket. The problem is that I don't want to make him any clothing because he won't wear it. I've already tried.

My Little Sister - Wizard of Oz Pillows

My sister is in love with Wizard of Oz. It is her favorite movie and it contains her favorite actress, Judy Garland (or Frances Gumm). I figure I will keep it simple by doing mostly silohuettes. There will be 3 pillows. The first is bigger than the other to and it will have the four (Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin-man, and Cowardly Lion) in that one pose they do when walking down the yellow brick road. And one of the smaller ones will have Glinda and the other will have the Wicked Witch.

My Big Sister - Baby Blanket

My older sister is pregnant again! So, like I did for the first kid, I'm going to make a baby blanket. It's going to be OpArt from Knitty.com. It's super awesome and they say it's easy, but who knows. I'm sure sure what color to make it, because she doesn't want to know if it is a boy or a girl. I also will probably not finish this by Christmas, but I want it done before the kid is actually born.

Aunts and Uncle (on my mom's side) - Bird Ornaments

When someone dies in my family on my mom's side they get a bird. And from then on whenever we may see that bird we say it's...whoever. It may be their favorite bird or a bird the embodies them. So let me say who is what: My Grandma - Cardinal, My Grandpa - Gold Finch, My Great Grandma - Bluebird, My cousin (male) - Raven, and my other cousin who has passed is a rainbow (I know...not a bird). So I'm thinking about making a set of them for everyone.

I have some aunts and an uncle on my Dad's side, but I'm unsure what to make them.

I'll keep you updated and wish me luck!

Almost there...

Working on a granny square afghan again. I'm trying to get it done before the end of my life.

Finished block in this color pattern...

and the other color pattern.

I've started taking all the finished blocks and putting them together. I have 5 rows down so far. Only 3 more to go!

Some of the rows of finished blocks

V for Victory!

I was extremely bored on Saturday and I wasn't in the mood to work on the never ending granny squares, so I pulled out my in progress quilt. The quilt blocks are taken from a book called "Victory Quilts" By: Eleanor Burns (who is an awesome quilter!). I just have to say, I am in love with this book. It is sooooo me!


The quilt is called "Comfort Quilt", but I have yet to give it a name. The picture in the book and the overall layout reminds me of the terrible bombings in London (and many other cities) during World War 2, but mostly London. And (now that I think of it) it reminds me of the air raid drills and the blackouts that many cities did (even in the US), in case of a air raid. I can imagine a family huddled up in the blanket trying to keep warm and be safe, just waiting for an end. ...Sorry, that's my history major coming out of me...


Here are a few pictures from right before I started:

The amazing "Victory Quilts" book! With some fabric that is being used for the sides.

My overflowing sewing box with panels from the quilt

More panels from the quilt

I got really inspired when me aunt dropped off a graduation gift. I opened it up and there laid a set of books entitled "Pictorial History of the Second World War" that used to be owned by my grandpa. I burst out crying and ...yeah. That inspired even more to work on this beautiful quilt.

I'll try to take pictures as I finish up the top quilt.

A Blanket for Comfort

Since this is my first post, I  would just like to say 'Hello' to anyone who may wander on here.


Anyway, I'm current working on a blanket for my aunt and uncle. On the night of my high school graduation (in June), large storms pasted through the area, bring with them tornados. One of them tore through my aunt and uncle's neighborhood. Their house was still standing (but in bad shape), but their barn and garage were totaled.

Here's a picture of their barn after the storm

 These particular relatives are the best a person could ask for. They are always looking out for me and are there when I need them. So I felt I should make something they can have wherever they may go, so they always have family with them.


The blanket is made up of granny squares, which is the first time I've ever made them. They are not that hard to do, but they take some time.

The first step of the granny square. It's made with an off white yarn.

By accident, I made 2 versions of the squares. But after the fact, I figured it will add interest to the blanket.

Second step on granny squares. Made witha robin's egg blue.

Second step in granny squares. Made with a light brown.

I have 43 (in alternating colors) that are on step 3.

Version 1

Verison 2

After this their is another row, in dark brown added on. I have 37 finished one and then the 43 on step 3. I had a lot of work ahead of me.