Yes, I have been slowly but surely working things out.  I managed to get a little done on the Doctor Who scarf, I've started gathering the yarn for my swap, I'm close to being done with my first amigurumi for the CAL (which is also a gift for someone), I have two really great patterns for future amigurumi for the swap ... oh, and I really need to get that cat blanket done and start writing up the halloween patterns.  So, I really need to get rid of this pounding headache and whatever it is that's causing me to feel like I'm swimming in molasas.
I did take a weekend to do another project.  It's a lovely little beaded crochet necklace and when I have some good light (and I've woven the ends in) I will attempt to take a decent picture of it and post it.  It was one of those I was at the store and saw the supplies while I was browsing and thought "gee, wouldn't that make a nice necklace" so I brought them home.  Then I couldn't get it out of my head so I had to drop everything and make it.  Probably should have written down the pattern, but it was pretty easy and I can probably figure it out.
Now, I'm going to tend that blistering headache.

Oh, where do I start?  Okay, I'm sorry for neglecting this journal.  I got caught up with LiveJournal (my first and favorite journal), MySpace (got roped into it so I could keep track of a profile that (unfortunately) hasn't been updated in forever but got caught up in the connections I could make for crafts.  Work's been great, though busy.  Life's been ... ups and downs you know.

Okay, enough rambling.  Let me get a nice glass of Coke Zero and see if we can't unravel some of what I've been up to lately.

First off, the destash post is (obviously) very outdated.  Disregard, because some things are gone.  If I ever get the time, I will update with a new destash post, but that likely won't be for awhile.

2, I joined a couple of swaps while I was uncommunicative.  I just recently finished the Accessories swap at C'Ville and that went awesomely well.  The person I got as my partner was wonderful, she sent me some of the nicest things and she seemed to really like what I sent her in return.  The one I'm currently in is a Scrap Swap.  LOL!  No hardships there.  I have PULENTY of yarns to share with someone.  I've already decided that the person I'm sending to is getting the mauve(ish) balls of yarn of indeterminate fiber content.  It's actually a bit of yarn, but it's been hanging about too long and I will never use it, so... I do have to be nice and rewind it on the winder first.  I'm still working my way through to see what else she's going to get.  I love stuff like this, because I may end up getting stuff I never thought about getting or stuff I will desperately need in the upcoming months (holidays and all).

 And I've joined another CAL (and this one will not be like Sweet which I was not as ready for as I thought ... though I haven't given up on the chance of making the Sweet sweater. I really want one)  This CAL is at crochet along.wordpress.com/ and the theme - AMIGURUMI!  Now is that up my alley or what?  I've gotten pretty good at these little things and I'm not just tooting my own horn.  I rarely say "yeah, I'm good at it" for anything (and I really need to stop saying "but this is crooked/off/look at that mistake/etc" - it kills my groove).  I have made several, people have loved them (reminds me I have one to finish before Tuesday, thank god it's almost done).  I even went so far as to make a pattern, and it was very well received.  I've got things I'm working on, but I also need to write the Halloween patterns I have in mind.  Challenging, but fun.  I'm just a big kid. 

Projects I need to finish -
The second Dr. Who scarf (and this time I'll take pics)
The aforementioned amigurumi (again I will take pics, but also I don't want to say too much in case the person I'm making it for sees this post in some strange parallel universe I'm unaware of)
The camouflage curtains I'm making for my husband (or trying to anyway, though it just might end up being a blanket)
The Homespun afghan (as soon as I find the hook I was using because I can't remember if it was a K hook or a J hook but I'll know it when I see it)
The denim modular scarf
The Green cable scarf for my husband (maybe I'll have it done in time for THIS winter)

Then I have the Halloween patterns I need to make up and write out, the various Halloween, thanksgiving and Christmas ornaments to make, the Christmas presents to start on (because I won't be caught with my pants down this year),  the Halloween granny square blanket I'm working on for the cats (yes, the cats are getting their own mini blanket in Halloween colors - pattern is located in the current issue of Crochet! magazine if a person really needs it)  There's also a top I keep meaning to work on for myself, a skirt that's also for me and I have an idea for a blanket that I'd like to do if I can get most of the above stuff out of the way before I'm dead and buried.  I'm not ambitious, no.

Let's see if I can dig up a few pics of stuff I've worked on recently.



Okay, most recently I did this hat.  It came out really well and I love it.





These are squares I made from a pattern I got from this lady (http://krochetkrystal.blogspot.com/).  The pattern is free and all she asks is you donate a square to her for the blankets she makes for charity.  I'll not kid you, this pattern is tricky but once you know it then you'll have fun making these.



Here's a really terrific purse I made from myself using a pattern from Caron (it was a Jewelbox drawstring bag pattern) that I used Red Heart Supersaver in Earth&sky to make.  I also changed the regular drawstrings to a backpack style so I can sling it over my shoulder.  It works great and I love using it.



Here's a terrific little teddy bear that I made using KristieMN (who happily provides free patterns to C'Villers and also has a selection of patterns she sells - this being one of them from the Floppy Friends collection)  It went to a church fair as a children's game booth prize and was gone within an hour.

  

Meet Buttercup and Violet.  Buttercup on the left was my very first attempt at recreating a character without a pattern and was a gift to a very nice friend/coworker.  Because I hated to part with Buttercup, I went ahead and made Violet who happily resides with me and will never be given away.  I'm working on making another for yet another coworker (but that would not be the amigurumi mentioned earlier)

And from Buttercup and Violet I came up with a grand idea ...



Meet the Little People.  This is Charlotte, and she's my LP prototype.  She also helped me write my very first pattern.  She's also getting an update for the holidays, Halloween to be exact.  She's going to be getting a makeover, a new outfit and a group of friends to join the fun.  I'm debating on whether or not to give these patterns away as well or to try my hand at selling the on Etsy.  We'll see when I'm done with the prototypes how well they came out.

Okay, sorry for the really long post but that's what happens when I don't update for a bazillion years.  Since I have so much going on right now, I may be updating much more often just to keep track of what I'm doing.  So, that's that.

Okay, so I need to do a little craft destashing.  There may be more in the future, but for now this is what I have to offer.  I will take money orders or cash funded Paypal (sorry, I'm not set up to accept anything else in Paypal).
Note - all books are used, but in at least good condition.  There are cats and a smoker in the house, but the cats don't generally make free with my yarn and the smoker is only allowed to smoke in the basement or attic - neither of which is near my craft room.  However, please take these into consideration as well as the fact that some of these things I got off of eBay, so I have no idea where they were before I got them.
Now to the goodies -





Celtic Crochet Accessories (2005 Annie’s Attic)- List $6.99 (on sale for .49 at Annie’s Attic)
Celtic Crochet Home Accessories (2005 Annie’s Attic) - List $6.95 (on sale for $3.48 at Annie’s Attic)
How to Crochet the Celtic Way (2003 Annie’s Attic-) List (I believe) $6.95
All 3 for $7.00 + shipping



Accent Pillows (2003 Annie’s Attic)- List $5.99 (on sale for $2.99 at Annie’s Attic) Asking Price - $1.50 + shipping



Potpourri Boutique (2004 Annie’s Attic)- Can’t remember list Asking Price - $1.50 + shipping



Summer Sensations (2006 Needlecraft Shop)-  Not sure of List price Asking Price - $5.00 + shipping



Colorful Foot-Pocket Throws (2006 Annie’s Attic)- List  $7.95  Asking Price - $4.00 + shipping



Creative Cards (Yoshiko Kitagawa) (1990) - price on book $10.00 Asking Price - $4.00 + shipping



Creative Clay Jewelry (Leslie Dierks) (1994) List $18.95 Asking Price - $5.00 + shipping




Doodle-Loom For Easy Pompoms - List $6.49 (on sale at Joann’s for $4.54) Asking price - $4.00 + shipping



Various rubberstamps, etc.  There are 4 little foam birthday stamps, 1 wood rubber stamp with a megaphone (very 70s), a set of 8 nautical stamps (various sizes, wood rubber stamps with a nautical theme — ighthouse, sailboats, anchor, shell, knots and steering wheel) and two 1oz bottles f Creative Living Network black embossing powder.  Would like $15 + shipping for all.



Patons Pebbles x 6 + 1 partial Color Pink Marble
54 yards 46% acrylic, 45% polyester, 9% wool 10 sts to 4” on us 11 needles
asking $10 + shipping for all




Bon Bon yarn (8 balls) - a long eyelash/nubby yarn
300g/10.6 oz. 100% Nylon 11 sts=4” on US 11 needles
appears to be purples and whites (though it seems to be a brownish purple)
asking $15 + shipping for whole bag



Mondial Dolce Mohair Color x 2 - color #238 (blacks and greys)
Yardage: 165, Fiber Content: 60% Kid Mohair, 40% Acrylic, Stitches: 4, Needle Size: 8, Weight: 50g
asking $8 for both + shipping



Lana Grossa Cat x 2 - beautiful soft yarn
93 yards 50% Microviscose, 35% Merino, 15% Baby Alpaca 12 sts to 4” recommended needle sizes are us 10, us 10.5, us 11
Yes, it really is a bright orange
asking $12 + shipping for both
(Note - this is a super soft fuzzy yarn, absolutely heavenly to the touch)



Sirdar Super Nova Super Chunky x3 (one missing label, but all were from same lot)
137 yards each, 55% acrylic, 38% wool, 7% polyester (machine washable) 12 sts on us 11 needles
Color 882 (I believe it was called brown tweed)
asking $12 + shipping for all three



4 balls of naked yarn, unknown yarn composition (though hubby believes that it is probably at least a wool blend — did a burn test) 
unknown quantity — I have no way of measuring the yardage - color maiuve?
make a reasonable offer



Artful Yarns Cartoon x 1
76 yards, 60% wool, 37% nylon, 3% polyethylene  14 sts = 4” on us 9 needles
color 19 lot 1 (no name listed for color combination, but it is listed as Boris and Natasha on the web)
I was going to put a price on this, but I'm having such a hard time parting with this yarn, even though I'll probably never use it.  It's one of those "decorate the stash" yarns for me. I mean this yarn is seriously pretty and colorful and fun, but have no idea what to make with such a small amount.  Make me a serious offer on this and I will consider it.
  

Okay, so that's it for now.  Feel free to comment if you see something you're interested in.  I may be goig through my beads and sewing patterns next.

Yes, I'm brain challenged before noon.  I hate trying to come up with cute or even relevant titles for my posts.  Don't even talk to me before my second cup of coffee (and yes, I have already had it ...)
Anyway, on to more pressing issues.  I have not been neglecting my crafts lately (well, except if you count the Dr. Who scarves that I will need to knit my fingers to the bone to finish by may 11th)  Here are a couple of pictures of projects I have completed recently though.




This is a felted bowl.  It was my first felting project.  I got the concept from somewhere online, basically it's a granny square, and after the granny square is as big as you want the base of the bowl to be then you stop increasing at the corners to make the sides of the bowl.  Took 2 washes to felt it to my satisfaction.  The bowl now has a place of honor on my husband's computer desk, to be used to put his wallet, keys and all those scraps of paper that follow him home every day.



This is the Mellow Moods hat from the book Hip Hats & Cool Caps.  I wasn't thrilled with how it came out at first, but it has grown on me.  I do wish I knew how to stiffen the brim up because it wants to roll up on me, but short of felting it (and then it would be too small for me --- bad enough I had to increase the pattern to fit me to begin with)  I'm at a loss what to do.  It does keep my head nice and warm though (it's 100% wool) and it was easy to make.  The book has lots of great patterns in it so I'll be adding it to my collection (soon, I hope ... I do have to return the library's copy someday )



This little bag is a pattern from Caron.  It uses their yarn Jewel Box.  I created it to carry small crochet projects on the bus with me, therefore having a safe place for my thread and such and reducing the risk of yarn or sharp implements rolling out of my lap and all over the bus.  I made it just slightly bigger than the pattern, so that now it comfortably holds a full ball of size 10 thread, whatever project I'm working on (so long as it's small, and most of my thread projects will be ... I have a thing for miniatures - especially stuffed aminals), a small packet of stitch holders and needles and a copy of whatever pattern I'm working with at the moment)

And on a side note, you've all met Gizmo already.




Cute little fellow, ain't he?  Except when he's not being cute ..



Well, I'd like to introduce you all to the other warm, furry body in the house. 



Meet Starfish.  You'll hear me refer to her as simply "Baby" in the future, but Starfish is her official name.  She's my favoritest baby,  I've had her since she was a day old and she is almost 9 years old now (not until June though)  She is a siamese mix, has the biggest blue eyes, the loudest voice when she wants to use it and the worst disposition when it comes to strangers and other animals.  Needless to say, it makes for some interesting times -- as she's forever reaching out and slapping Gizmo for no good reason.  Poor guy can never catch a break from her.

Alright, that's enough cat prattle for now.  Next post will be a destashing post.  I'll be destashing a bit of yarn, some booklets and probably a few non yarn related craft items, so stay tuned...

Oops, almost forgot ... I did my first pineapple afghan square recently.  It's a 12" square, the pattern I found at Crochet Pattern Central (I think it's called Panda Pineapple square)



I plan on making several of these in greens, browns, creams and black and stitching them together for a nice afghan.  Yeah, and I have time for that ....

So, after a long month or so, I finally have a moment to update my journal.  The move was successful, and though there are still boxes to unpack, there are many more that have already been unpacked and the house starts to look like a home.  It (the move) was a gruelling process, made more so by the hectic timeframe and lack of any crafts.  But now that is past.

I am slowly getting back into the swing of things.  The first thing I made was a pair of potholders that I'd been promising my husband forever.  They came out quite well, and if I ever find the camera and it's cable I will take pictures and post them.  That's the thing about moving, things seem to get seperated.

Right now I'm working on a project for a friend, who has asked me to knit up not one, but two Dr. Who scarves.  It's actually very relaxing and fun.  Again, pictures when I find the camera.

I am not happy with the Knit Lites I bought, however, to knit the scarves with.  Barely a week after I've started using them and both tips have broken off.  That pisses me off to no end, and I cannot find a website to lodge a complaint.  So far the large pair I bought (15s) are holding up, but the 8s really suck so bad and I would urge anyone thinking about buying them not to.  There are much nicer needles to spend your $15 on, trust me.

And I wish to thank my C'Ville Holiday Swap partner for her lovely package that she sent me.  It was the perfect pick me up in the middle of all the madness that was moving.  She sent me yarn and hooks, a book of patterns and hot cocoa, toys for my kitties and a nice fleece throw with penguins for my husband.  I'm also very glad that I was finally able to send her package and she loved everything in it.  Reminds me, I have a little something to send out, now that I finally found it in the boxes.

No internet yet, but hopefully by the end of next month (February). 

More later.

Yes, I'm still around.  No craft activities for the immediate future though.

I'm in the middle of packing to move.  The house my apartment is in was foreclosed ... Have 28 days left to find a place, pack and get going.  Will post again when I'm settled.

I know it's been ... (checking) ... sigh ... almost exactly one month since my last post.  I didn't realize that much time had past.  I haven't paid attention to much of anything lately.
I don't like to discuss my life here in this journal, it's supposed to be for crafts.  I'm going to bend that rule in this case.  The past few weeks have not been easy for me.  I suffer from depression.  It's an insidious thing, sneaks up on a person, leeches everything out of them, leaving them feeling tired ... stressed ... unaccomplished ... unwanted ....
I usually recognize it when it happens.  This time, it snuck up on me.  Honestly, about all I've done the past few weeks is sleep, work, and do absolutely nothing but what I had to do to try to keep up with life.  I've fallen behind on one of my swaps (though I did manage to send out what I had ready, and I'm awaiting a package to prepare the second half).  I feel like such a failure right now, it really burns me that I can let something wrap itself around me so tightly that I can't even function.
I'm fighting it.  I'm starting to win, again (or else I wouldn't even be typing this).  There's more going on, but I'm not one to lay my problems bare to the world.  We'll just say that I should have seen this coming, as I've had many stresses the past few months. 
I've put off continuing Sweet until after Christmas.  I have so much that has to get done between now and then, and the past few weeks have been nothing if not unproductive.  I've not even had the energy to pick up needles or hook, or anything else I love to do.  Just ...
Anyway, that's all for now.  I'm sorry that I'm .... I'm sorry.

Okay, so the last week hasn't exactly been good for my crafting, or anything else for that matter.  The only thing I seem to have been working on lately is my last nerve.  Not that I haven't done anything, it's just all been fairly simple pieces that I don't have to keep my mind on, in case it wandered and I messed up somehow. 

Things seem to be going better now, and I fully expect that I'll get a chance to work on Sweet tonight.

During the past weekend though, to celebrate the fact that I actually survived it, I did a little something for me.  It's a very pretty little something, though it didn't come out quite the way the picture in the pattern did.  That probably has much to do with the fact that I replaced an i-cord handle with a beaded one.  Do you know why they call it an idiot cord?  Because idiots like me can't make one.  Oh, I know the technicals of it, and can perform the proper movements, but no matter what I did it came out looking ... blah.

Oh, yeah, the pattern I'm talking about is The Crochet Dude's Purl McBigBottom.  His first knit purse design, and of course being a knitter as well as a crocheter I had to do it.  Oh,  a picture?  Sure, I guess...



So, there it is.  Doesn't look a lot like his, but I swear I used his pattern.  It came out nicely though, and I'm enjoying it so far.

Off to work for me.

Slowly but surely I'm regaining my groove.  I'm taking my time, because I really want this, my first sweater project, to come out well.  It's important to me that it does. I'll take some pics when I'm happy with progress (and when I get around to buying some more batteries, boy does that camera eat them like Tic Tacs).

I'm also working on my first tunisian scarf, a lace scarf for Christmas (had to start that list sometime, better now than too late) and I've a new project to start as soon as I find the appropriate yarn.  I know, I need a new project like I need a hole in my head, right?  Well, yes, I need to start this project NOW!!!!!!  Lol, well that's how I feel about it.  No more until I'm finished with it though.

I'm so excited, my craft momentum is up again.  I love this stuff.

Yay me!  I've tried and tried and I bombed at it, in a big huge way.  But thanks to Kim Guzman and her free online text class I was able to sit down, follow along (a miracle in itself, as I usually require lots of pictures to help me and this was 100% text) and I finally get it.  Well, the basics of it, but that makes me more happy than anything, because once I get the basics down I usually have a fairly easy time with the rest.

Now, back to my regularly scheduled program of Sweets. (chocolate, caramel, double mocha, cocoa, ice cream, cookies, lemon cake ...yum ... oh, sorry, sweater. )