Exchange Tote Bag

I just love getting packages in the mail ! Especially when they have really nice stuff, like this tote bag. It was from Cat, one of my partners in the Tote Bag Exchange at Crochet Depot She said she'd never made a tote before and didn't even use a pattern ! It's lined really nicely

There is even a pocket on the outside

And because she's so sweet and remebered that I like vintage pattern books, she also sent me this
I've only glanced through the book, but I saw a few things I'd like to make.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Cat !

And one more picture, just because it's the first day of summer. I cut these this morning, the daisies are growing wild in part of my yarn and the fern is one that I planted a couple of years ago.

Happy Summer !

I Know I Should Have Been Crocheting But..............

I really wanted a purse and I really like the jeans purses I've been seeing and I really wanted to take just a tiny break from crocheting and I finally found a pattern for what I wanted to make. So after finding this pattern on ebay yesterday, here is what I ended up with. What once was my most favorite pair of Levi's, that no longer fit, is now this





And lookie, it's lined and everything, as per the pattern.

I had the lining fabric on hand, the only thing that I didn't have was interfacing, but that was no biggie. It was really easy to put together, the pattern was written really well. I don't do much "pattern" sewing, in fact I haven't done much sewing (quilting) in quite some time, but I has this little baby done in a little over 2 hours. That even includes the time it took me to dig out the lining fabric. I used the purse today and I love it !

We had a great time at Phipps Conservatory too. I always enjoy it there, but add in the beautiful Chihuly glass and it was awe inspiring. More than once as we rounded a corner, we all "ooed and awed", as if we were watching fireworks, the glass is truly gorgeous !

The puppet was a hit, but the little stinker didn't let on that he liked it until we were leaving. As most 3 year olds, little Johnny was being somewhat shy, because he doesn't know me that well. So off and on I had the puppet talking to him, but the shy-ness was still winning out. But as we were leaving I took "Woofy" off of my hand and said, he's yours if you want to take him home. Well, "Woofy" was snatched out of my hand and before you could blink, little Johnny had the puppet on his hand.

On the way home I stopped and got what I needed for my second totebag, so tonight I'm getting my butt in gear to finish the first tote.

What I've Been Up To

I've been busy crocheting, I have two tote bags to make for the exchange over at Crochet Depot. I have the first one about half way done and I had a change of plans for the second one, so now I need to get some more yarn. I can't post pictures here because I don't want either partner to see what they are going to get.

I also made another puppet for my great nephew. Meet Woofy, he's made from a kit I got awhile ago at my LYS. It's also available online at Judykits

Woofy's pattern was written very well, super easy to follow. Here's a couple more shots of him.

I'll be giving Woofy to my nephew tomorrow, my brother is babysitting and my sister and I will be meeting them at Phipps Conservatory
in the morning. Since my nephew doesn't know us that well, I thought a puppet was a good way to sort of break the ice.


Oh, I also ordered some roving to finish my needle felted bear, the darker roving didn't look right.

That's about it for now, sorry about the funky font stuff. I'm not quite sure how that happened.

Thanks for stopping by !

It's Not As If a Needed Another Craft

Back in February I went to the 4th Annual Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival and among other things I bought a needle felting kit. I hadn't forgotten about it, I just hadn't pulled it out yet. Well after seeing this post from Ladylinoleum over at Monster Crochet about a month ago, there has been this little voice in my head, nagging me to give the felting a try. So I dragged out the stuff that I bought and here is what I have so far.

Not nearly as cool has her eyeballs, but this little guy was just sceaming out to me.

Every bear should have a bit of a belly, right.....................

And then I hit a snag...................this being my first attempt at needle felting, which I absolutely LOVE, I ran out of the camel colored roving before my little guy could get arms and legs. Now I'm in a quandry, do I make them a darker color underneath ? I have a redish brown roving, I'm planning on putting the gray over top of it anyway. I have to give it some thought.

Needle felting is very time consuming, but I'm finding also very easy, only a few stabbed fingers.

I also whipped up this TP cover from another vintage pattern from ebay.

I apologize for the crappy pictures, I'm still getting used to the camera software.

Now on to decide how I want to finish my bear.

Do You Remember ?

Do you remember this post ? Ever since then I've been on a sort of quest for vintage patterns. I thought I'd share a few photos of some of the patterns I've collected so far. The following pictures are taken from three different magazines. Woman's Day Granny Squares Number 1 with a publishing date of 1973. Woman's Day Granny Squares Number 4 with a publishing date of 1976. And last but not least McCall's Step by Step Crochet Lesson for Beginners with a publishing date of 1970.

Are you ready...........................

First is this lovey Baroque Bedspread

Next is the beautiful Cuffed cardigan

The ever stylish Tyrol Hat ( the little girl looks a bit pissed off to me)

The one of a kind Harlequin Poncho

Maybe the Millefleurs Maxi-skirt is for you

Maxi not your style, then you'll love the Mosaic Skirt, complete with fringe

Need an afghan .............. how about the unique Mosaic Afghan



Every thing old is new again the Patchwork Table cloth has granny squares paired with gingham.


Feeling a bit romantic............how about the Romantic Victorian Vest

These last two I've included mainly for the model. I can't be positive, but this sure looks like Susan Dey, styling in her Bubble-Stitch Dress.

Another look at her, this time looking toasty warm in her Striped Scarf and Hat Set

So there you have it a short trip back to the good old days. Ahhh, the '70's....................

In all fairness to the designers, the color choices then were really awful ! Just what on earth were we thinking then !?!

I hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane of crochet.

I Really Do Crochet !

I thought I'd post some pictures to prove that I really do crochet ! I have more to post but I'm not too good with the camera software on the laptop. With our old desktop, I just used the scanner/printer to edit the pictures. I can't do that now and I've been messing around for about an hour with the camera software.
Okay, I've had enough for one afternoon, but I did manage to get three photos from the camera to photobucket to blogger !! So consider me a happy camper.

Here's what I ended up with.

Meet Al E. Gator, he's made using a vintage puppet pattern I purchased on ebay, with only minor modifications. The original had both upper and lower teeth and no tongue. I made Al for my great nephew as part of his birthday gift for birthday #3.

Just another view of Al.


I also made another star throw, this one is for another nephew. He got a fantastic job in New York City at the beginning of the year and is finally moving into his own apartment. I'll post more about the details next time.

I've got to run, things to do ! Have a great weekend !