Inspired Creatives

Hubby got his Nikon D5000!

Only a few more days to do hearts before Valentine’s Day.  I’ve always wanted to try a doily, and I found this lovely  Heart Coaster/Mini Doily on CrochetDoilies.com.  Proprietor Leslie, the “Crochet Queen,” is a true master crocheter.  She’s got tons of beautiful doily patterns on her site.  This is just one of many she offers for free!  She also has a great selection of Vintage crochet books and offers personalized custom designs.  Thanks, Leslie, for all the inspiration!

I tried this pattern earlier this month and was totally baffled with it.  I had to put it down in total frustration.  I really like this doily, so I decided to give it another try.  The second time around went much better.  Proof that I am making crochet progress.  There are several mistakes.  My stitching got really distorted in both of the lobes of the heart.  I miscounted the picots.  I’m sure there’s more, but I can live with them.  I’m happy it looks like a heart.

This was my first go at crochet thread and a number 10 steel hook.  The pattern calls for a number 7, but this is what I had on hand.  It’s tiny and it’s difficult.  ‘Nough said.  I’m not sure what this thread is (I have to start remembering to keep labels).  The pattern recommended #10 cotton.  It might be #10 cotton.  All I know is it’s WAYYYY thin.  I got through this pattern by shear grit and determination (clenched teeth and all).  I think I can get used to the “tiny-ness” of this style of crochet, given the gratifying end result.  Doilies sure are pretty, aren’t they?  I’ve already got my eye on this seductive Valentine Ring of Hearts Doily for next year.  The description says it takes 10-12 hours to complete.  I’ll give myself 10-12 months.

I’m proud of myself for taking on this challenge and seeing it through.  I thought it would be way beyond my skill level, but the individual stitches are surprisingly basic.  It’s the level of concentration required combining those stitches.  That said, I think I’ll whip up another Jumbo Hexagon Granny square.  I need a little mental break before I tackle another doily.

Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood of Crafty Sanity tweeted and posted about these Jumbo Hexagon Granny squares yesterday and I just had to try one. Thanks Jennifer!  Jennifer said to head over to Attic24 to check out Lucy’s over -the-top easy tutorial that even a beginner like me could follow without frustration. Thanks Lucy!!

This was fun.  I’d have to get quite a bit more yarn if I wanted to make a quilt.  I really just like the dead simple meditative repetition of the stitches on this hexagon, and that it works up so quickly.  I’ll definitely be returning to this.

Another attempt at Amigurumi Crochet.  This time it’s a heart ( in case you couldn’t tell).  Ran out of pink yarn.  Hence, the two-tone effect.  Definitely want to revisit this technique once I get some smaller hooks.  It is quite fun.  I found this pattern over at Roxycraft.  Thank you Tamie Snow.

I must say, I am keeping up with the Thing A Day Challenge for February.  Pretty pleased with how that’s turning out.

One more heart. Learned a cool scalloping technique. It was easier than I thought. What would you use this for? I’m stumped with what to do with it. It measures 6″ x 5.5″

Obviously I’ve gotten bit by the crochet bug.  Dang, like I need another craft interest.  My only salvation from this rabbit hole is that I don’t have that much yarn in my stash.  Now, I wonder if I can find some crocheted Easter egg patterns.  HELP ME!!  I’m falling….

Still trying my hand at crochet. I’m starting to remember why I prefer knitting. Getting the hang of it though. Now I can use these flowers to cover up my mistake on the clutch I attempted recently.

My how time flies.  We all know that and we all experience days, weeks, months, even years slipping through our lives without us barely noticing.  Well, we usually notice the years.  If you’re not noticing those, maybe you’re somehow related to Rip Van Winkle.  I’ve done my share of procrastinating, of putting things off till tomorrow, of being absolutely positively stuck in my tracks with no motivation to move forward.  I want this year to be a little different.  I want to be as productive as possible (don’t we all?).  I want to complete more projects (don’t we all?).  Yes, that means start to finish.  Not start to “just need to put the clasp or the zipper or the button or the glaze on and then it’ll be finished.”  No, no, no.  Got enough of those lying around.  To kick start my year I’ve joined two challenges.  One is Creative Every Day (#CED2010 on twitter) which goes all year.  The other is Thing A Day which lasts through the month of February.

I know both these challenges will help me out.  I’ve already started thinking in terms of integrating creativity into my daily round instead of viewing it as something separate, detached from my life.  I’m also becoming more forgiving of myself.  I’ve got a lot of interests.  I’ve found out that’s not a bad thing.  I can jump from one thing to another without feeling guilty and still get things accomplished.

The pics above are just a sampling of what I worked on in January (in other words, what got finished).  There’s other bits and pieces, trials and errors lying around, but some things really aren’t ready for prime time.  Maybe they’ll make the cut this month.