Creatively Crafty

WIP Wednesday

2012-02-29T21:54:00.000-08:00

So this weeks WIP is the same as last week. I've only had time to work on my friend Josh's blanket so far, althought I do have plans for my friend Mendi's unborn baby blanket when I am done. Ripples with an Ocean colored yarn because he's from Guam. I got the colors all picked out! Hehehehe. I'm rather excited about all of it honestly. :)

I am halfway done. I'm rather excited about it. Should be done by the middle of March

Happy Wednesday!

Oh! Before I forget! I am looking for some helpful crochet related apps for my iPod and iPad or some books to add as well. Any suggestions??

Crochet Rambles

2012-02-26T23:11:00.000-08:00

So crochet is really important to me. Its become slightly more then a hobby in the last three or so months since I started crocheting again. I learned when I was in middle school thanks to Hurricane Charlie, but stopped after a while. When I met Eric's grandmother in March of last year, she was crocheting. She handed me a ball of yarn, a hook, and a small book of patterns, and said have fun. But with everything that was going on, moving from Rucker to Bragg and getting settled into my new unit and getting ready for this deployment, it once again kind of fell to the way side. Until my mother sent me her first package.

I had asked her for some things, I don't recall what, but imagine my surprise when I opened the package and found two skeins of yarn and a hook inside. :) I was pretty excited. I immediately started looking online for things to make. I started with some arm warmers and then some headbands. It eventually progressed into the Red Hearts Collection that I have been slowly working on.

One day, my female Warrent Officer, Mrs. E, asked me if I would make her two baby blankets, and mentioned that she was willing to pay for them both. I jumped on the chance. :) I went searching for patterns and what not, and found two perfect ones. And since then I have been contemplating opening a store of my own. I want to sell stuff that I make that people like. I mean how awesome is that? Someone wants something that you made with your own two hands and time? I say its pretty awesome. I have since started making lots of blankets and stuff like that. Little Monsters, gift bags, flower coasters, stars for a garland, and fun little things. I'm even making a blanket for my parents anniversary this year (if its done in time....) and a blanket in my wedding colors at my fiance's request.

So once I get enough things made for selling, then I shall gladly open my shop. I can't decide between Storenvy or Etsy. Both seem pretty cool. My mom is being AWESOME and making some temporary business cards for me to put in with the stuff I am sending off soon. ((check out her still rather new blog:: When Coffee Isn't Enough))

I want to start doing some cool, new things around this little blog here. Other then my continuous work on the Blankets For Babies Project (check out the tab up top for it), I want to do something more around here. I started participating in Tami Ami's WIP Wednesday and Creative Space. I still want to do more cool things. I want to do giveaways or CAL's, or swaps, or things like that. Its just hard sometimes since I am in Afghanistan. One thing I am participating in and am looking forward to is::

It will be my first time participating, but it seems like it will be a LOT of fun! You should totally come join us!!!

I guess I might want to start looking through the Ravelry forums or something to get more stuff to do and meet some more people.

Any suggestions? Forums to check out, CAL's, giveaways, swaps, other crochet blogs, stuff like that? It would be much appreciated!! <3

WIP Wednesday

2012-02-22T22:23:00.027-08:00

I decided to start doing some WIP Wednesday posts for my stuffs. Mostly its just going to be updates on blankets but maybe I can add some other kinda cool stuff every once in a while to keep everyone interested!

Here is what I got for this week: Updates on blankets. :)

This now has 59 rows.

Only 62 more left to go. Hahaha

Not counting the border

This has 32 rows

48 rows left not counting the border

I decided to try making a little hexagon.

Trying to decide what to make of it though

These are colors for another gifted baby blanket

Autum Red and Ocean for a friend of mine from Guam.

His baby is due in May

These are for a blanket for my niece

once I finish all the other ones I have

Top to bottom, Left to right:

Soft Pink, Soft Purple, Passion Grape, Raspberry, and Watermelon

Here is who I am linking up with today. :)

Our Creative Spaces

Interview with Tiffany from ThatGirl In Tattoos

2012-02-13T22:10:00.000-08:00

So when I first started blogging back in August of last year, one of the first blogs I found was Tiffany's blog. I think her title caught my attention first, I LOVE tattoos, and then once I read through her blog and got to know her through some conversations, she quickly because one of my favorite bloggers to read about, especially once I learned she liked to crochet. She also kinda inspired me to get back into crochet.

Last week, I asked her if I could do an interview with her and she quickly agreed. :) Without further ado, here is Tiffany!!

1. Please introduce yourself and your blog.

Hi! I’m Tiffany from ThatGirl In Tattoos. In my blog you can find anything from crochet posts to tattoo posts to fitness posts to random ramblings of my busy life and family.

2. When did you learn to crochet?

I learned to crochet about two years ago. I take the train to work every day, which is a 45 minute ride each way. That leaves a lot of time on my hands being unproductive. I didn’t have a good book to read, so I asked a girl at work to teach me to crochet. We sat down for an hour and off I went!

3. What was your first project, if you can remember it?

My first project was a baby blanket. I admittedly got a little overly ambitious with my first project. It was a gift for my best friend’s baby shower. I really, really wanted to make her something handmade. I hadn’t had a lot of practice with crocheting yet, but I gave it my best effort. I’m entirely embarrassed of the blanket I passed over as this “wonderful” gift. It was lopsided and missing stitches all along the way. But a valiant effort!

4. What kinds of things do you enjoy making now?

My favorite things to crochet would be scarves and headbands. “Stick to what you know best.” I’m most comfortable with them.

5. Tell us about your shop? What kind of goodies can we find there?

Currently my shop has scarves, headbands, baby hats, barrettes and coffee cozies. I’m getting ready to take some time off from my shop to create some new items focusing on newborns and photography props.

6. What made you decide to open a crochet related shop?

I opened a shop when I started getting overwhelmed with requests for scarves from friends and family. A lot of money started coming from my own pocket, so I thought it would be the easiest way for people to pay me, and for me to ship my items.

7. What is your favorite completed project so far?

My favorite completed project-that’s a tough one. I honestly haven’t made too much for myself. Most of my time since opening my shop has been spend fulfilling orders. I think my coffee cozies are pretty fun. If time ever permits, I’d love to make myself an afghan.

8. What is your least favorite project so far?

I don’t really think I have a least favorite. I really love crocheting. Hats are not my favorite, I tend to not pay attention as much as I should when I make hats.

9. What’s on your hook at the moment?

Right now I’m finishing up on some current orders (boot cuffs) and I’ve started on a baby blanket that I plan to add to the “Newborn/Photo Prop” section of my shop once it’s ready. I also started knitting a scarf. I’m still new to knitting, but I’m really loving it.

10. Any tips for people new to crochet?

Count your stitches!!!! So many of my first projects turned out really badly because I didn’t count. And have patience. It takes time to get confident and to learn all the stitches and combinations of stitches.

11. Are there any website’s or crochet related material that you would recommend to us?

One of my favorite websites is www.ravelry.com. Tons of free patterns and ideas for anything you could ever dream of.

12. What is your favorite type of yarn?

I use mostly worsted weight yarn. I need to find some time to get out to some of these yarn shops and explore the different variations of yarns-there are so many to choose from!

13. Favorite type of hook?

I really like the Susan Bates bamboo handle hooks. They seem to be the least stressful on my fingers/wrists.

14. What inspires you to crochet and make the things that you do?

My inspiration tends to come from things I can’t afford to buy in the malls lol. These crochet/knitted scarves and cowls seem to be all the rage right now, and they’re priced absolutely outrageously! So when I see one I like, I just make it myself.

15. Do you write/sell any of your patterns? Or do you have your own modifications to other people’s patterns?

I don’t really have any patterns that I follow. Most of my items are just created on a whim and I try to keep it all in my head. I have never written a pattern in my life, and I’m not so sure I’d be very good at it.

16. Where do you keep your patterns or notes at?

Everything is stored in my head. If I haven’t worked on something in a while, I tend to forget how I made it. I’ll just go back and count the stitches and rows and figure it out from there.

17. What has been your biggest crochet challenge so far?

I haven’t really had too many challenges. I took to crocheting really easily and quickly. I guess you could say gloves are a challenge for me. I don’t measure gauge and don’t have any understanding of how sizing works when it comes to crocheting. If you don’t measure gauge-don’t make gloves lol. Lesson learned on that one.

18. Do you have any favorite crochet bloggers to share with us?

Honestly, I haven’t come across too many really good crochet blogs! There are a few that I’ve seen here and there, but not too many that really catch my eye. Donna’s Decembers is probably my favorite. (www.donnasdecembers.blogspot.com).

Thank you Tiffany for the interview! If you don't already read her blog, you really should! And definitely check out her shop! She has some of the cutest things in there!

.... slackers projects [pics included]

2012-02-10T12:43:00.000-08:00

So like the title says... I am a slacker. I had plans to join in with some W.I.P Wednesdays and a Creative Space post on Thursday.... but I am just drainined lately. Its getting ridiculous.

Anywho... here is a look at my slow projects

The four blankets I am making at once.

Yes... I said FOUR

The blanket for my parents anniversary.

Pistacchio, Bone, and Chocolate

240 Chain

11 rows down.... who knows how many more

The blanket for a nephew on the way

Being made for my best friend Shrek

Same pattern as the Rainbow blanket I made

23 rows out of 80

The Blanket for Babies Project blanket

yes... its taking me forever. I'm slow

Watermelon, Grape, Lemonade, and Blue Mint

45 rows out of who knows how many

simple dc rows

The very first blanket I started back in Dec

its taking me forever to finish it

but I just found motivation for it again

45 rows out of 101

A look at them all rolled up next to each other

Hopefully they will get finished soon

Before I go, I wanted to leave you with a pretty sunset picture I took a while ago.

BFBP Blanket Reveal 1~ Laura's

2012-02-06T06:34:00.000-08:00

So earlier today I mentioned how I wanted to show you the wonderful blanket that Laura made for our Blankets for Babies Project! This is a blanket that Laura finishd sometime last week. She worked really hard on it and spent a bit of time, and it has definitely paid off wonderfully.

She approached me in December asking me if I could teach her to crochet again. She's done it before, but it had been a while. It was a fun experience and she was helping me with a Babette Blanket when I was emailed by Laurinda from Remembering Rowan about helping her MOMS group with Blankets. Laura was all for it and she set right to work on it. This is what she got as a finished project.

Made with Caron Simply Soft 6oz skeins

Soft Blue, Soft Pink, Lavender Blue, and Sunshine

80 rows of double crochets with two rows of border

She did so amazingly well for her first blanket

its much more even then mine is

Didn't she do awesomely? Its now in the box for our project blankets.

I can't wait to see what else she comes up with!

YAY Laura!!!

I have lots to do!

2012-02-06T00:29:00.000-08:00

So lots been going on around here. :)

I have plans today to get a picture of Laura and the blanket she made to add to the Blankets For Babies Page. She has completed the first one for the project and I still have about 30 rows left to go. I love how hers turned out! She even started another one right away, a much smaller one, with some awesome yarn that I can't wait to see finished! Laura is doing great with the crochet and I am so happy I got someone else into it.

I need to find a crochet club when I get home. I like being around other peopel who understand my love for the art of crochet. :)

I am working on stuff for the store now. Advertising stuff, my mom made me some sample business cards, and what not. The plans are going well, I just can't wait to put them into action. I don't know when I will open an Etsy store, but I know that I will probably start selling off my blog much sooner.

I have been working hard on the blankets that my co-workers have ordered. Two of them are do before 15 April, but I'm pretty positive that I have more then enough time. :D If the person who ordered Baby's First Rainbow doesn't pick it up/ pay for it soon, its going in the box for the shop. I really do love that blanket though! I even started working on the pink one again, for the same person, and if she doesn't pick up/pay for this one, its going to the Blanket For Babies Project Box!

I think I am going to start participating in W.I.P. Wednesdays! Just to try something new!

Oh! And I am looking for crocheters to interview. If you would like to participate, then please let me know. :D

Have a great day!

Lately

2012-01-31T01:25:00.000-08:00

Like I've mentioned, lately I have been quite busy.... school, work, stupid details that I get assigned too, but on a good note.... lots of crochet! :) Here is what I have been up to over the course fo this last week.

everything I made this last week or so

except for the Little Monster

Stars for a garland

simple cotton wash cloth

pretty flower coasters

super easy too

Rain the Cat

She is a little weird because I can't sew properly

and the first color was the wrong yarn

A sample gift bag for the males in my wedding party

kerchief

super easy

but still too small for my big head

Josh Jr's baby blanket

coming along slowly

My parents blanket for their anniversary

Gonna take me FOREVER

Happy Hooking

Shopenvy VS. Etsy

2012-01-29T02:32:00.000-08:00

So as you guys may or may not know, I want to open up a little online shop of crocheted goodies. :D Thats been my goal since sometime last year before this deployment. My question is.....

Which site do I use?

I like both Shopenvy and Etsy, but I don't know which one would be better to use.

I need ya'lls help! Help me decide which one to use.

Which one do you like better? What do you like about Shopenvy, what do you dislike? What do you like about Etsy? WHat do you dislike?

:) I would really appreciate everyone's input!

Also, I've started some other new little small stuff that I will show you soon. Also, I will show you the progress on the 4 (yes 4) baby blankets that I am working on. I will show you Laura's progress on her BFBP Blanket (She's further along then I am because she's had more time lately)

New stuffs

2012-01-27T03:00:00.000-08:00

Here are some new things that I made that I thought I should share with you. I took a break from blanket making yesterday to make some quick little things that were easy and kinda awesome to make. :)

Here are two stars that I made. :) I might make a pretty colorful garland out of them or just send them to people randomly! You can find the pattern here

A 3D heart that is lopsided.

I also made a simple kerchief

I also finished a new custom little monster for my sister M. I can't share it with you until she gets it because its a surprise. :)

There is also a flower coaster that I made that doesn't want to upload yet. I will have to share that later when it decides its done being dumb! :)

Well, off to the MWR to work on the blankets and make some other cool stuffs. :)

So.....

2012-01-23T01:15:00.000-08:00

So my internet went down for the last 2.5 days and it just came back up sometime while I was sleeping. Since I work 4pm-midnight I check my computer each night for various reasons after I get off work, usually so I can try to talk to my family. Well, it wasn't working when I went to bed at 0200 this morning after I had to use teh MWR for my homework, but it was magically working when I got up at 0900 this morning. YAY! This means I can share pictures and stuffs with you again. I is excited.

So-- first off.... Laura and I started our first blankets for the Blankets for Babies Project, hers is a softer Easter toned blanket with soft pink, yellow, blue, and purple.... mine... accidentally... is just the much brighter version of hers. We're using the same pattern, so it should be interesting to see. She's had more time to work on hers so its coming along nicely. I hope I get to see it tonight.

I really like this color combination. :)

Here is a sneak peak at one of my most important projects for this year. I have lots of work to do on them.

They are two different versions of the same project. How do you like the color combo's? The one of the left is at the request of my fiance and the one on the right is a gift for my parents anniversary in Sept (hopefully).

So Shrek Jr's blanket is coming along quite nicely. I'm about 15 rows into it at the moment, its the same pattern as the Rainbow blanket I finished, just made in "Celestial" blue. Its kinda awesome.

So I discussed it with my mother about making a couple of business cards to send off with the stuff I am making for friends, family, and the other stuff. She can do it herself, I just need to send her the image. I am kind of excited, I won't lie. :)

So before I go, I found out today through an email that I recieved that Picnik is closing in April. It kind of bummed me out. For those of you that don't know, which I am sure most of you do, Picnik is a free photo-editing site where you can make collages and stuff like that. Its where I edit all of the pictures that I put on this blog. So now I need to find a new site to use that won't cost me a whole lot. Anyone got any suggestions?

Well, I am off to work on my BFBP blanket and then hopefully make another little monster or two. :)

Have a great day!

Woohoo!

2012-01-19T00:48:00.000-08:00

So I finished three things yesterday. I is on a roll. :)

Like my little header for all things Creatively Crafty Handmade?

Thanks to Sarah for the Template for it

so I finally finished Baby's First Rainbow.

And now I don't want to give it away.

Its too soft and cuddly and warm

I have to make a Jenn sized one for me now.

Made with Bernat Softee Baby

weight 3 yarn in Candy Baby color

Here is a better picture of the edging

A small gift bag that is great for children

I plan to make some for my wedding party. :)

Meet Milton!

The wise and older brother to the Little Monster siblings

((He knows that he has no hair))

Now I am off to work on the pink blanket. Its about 1/3 of the way done, once I finished frogging parts of it out due to the tension not being even across the blanket.

I have started Baby Shrek's blanket and I got the yarn for Baby Mendi's blanket as well. :) I'ma be a busy busy bee. :D

Also, thanks to Sarah, I kind of learned how to make some things in Photoshop, like headers and stuff to go with my layout. I am still working on getting them perfect, but I am kind of excited about it. She's been super helpful in answering all my weird questions.

Like my new little button for the Blankets For Babies Project?

I'm just messing around with Photoshop... and had to get the html from Tinypic to even get the picture to show up on here. >.<

Blankets for Babies Project

2012-01-17T01:24:00.000-08:00

So in my early post today I mentioned my newest project, linking up with Laurinda from Remembering Rowan! She emailed me back so I can give you all the details today!

To Recap:

She makes blankets and quilts in her daughter, Rowans, memory

Laurinda Reddig gave birth and lost her daughter in the same day.

She was given a handmade afghan and a quilt to take home instead

"These are the only things that parents in this situation get to bring home and cuddle," she said.

Laurinda and the members of her MOMS club make blankets and quilts to give to the families that lose their children.

Laurinda was reading through my blog and then yesterday she sent me an email. She said that since she was busy writing patterns this year for blankets, she wouldn't be able to make as many as she would like to donate to the mothers. She then asked me if she would send me some yarn would I help her by making blankets. I asked my friend Laura and we were both all for it. "Count me in!" Laura said to me.

So, my plan. I want to start a project (I like to keep busy) and I want to include all of you. I want to make blankets for the sick babies, and for the parents whose babies don't make it. Handmade blankets bring comfort, and thats what the sick babies and the grieving parents deserve, some comfort. I want you lovely people to help me out. Help me make blankets for these people who suffer a horrible loss and the babies who are sick.

A baby is a precious miracle each and every day. They are new life in our world and they are the future.

Lets give the struggling ones some love!

Join me in my project, Blankets for Babies!

Laurinda says its easy as contacting your local NICU at the hospital. Sometimes you might have to donate through the volunteer department or you can donate directly to the NICU.

Make sure you ask what kind of materials they will aceept first though. Sometimes they only want acrylic yarns since its washable and they don't have to worry about allergies and such.

Not all hospitals will give to the sick babies, so definitely make sure you ask, but they will give them to the grieving parents.

If you don't want to make a full blanket, maybe you could make some squares and send them to us so we can put them together for a blanket. Its all up to you.

Premie blankets can be as small as 12" x 12" for the smallest babies

You don't have to try to make a lot. Just a few would be perfect as every square or blanket counts and goes toward helping someone out and showing them love and comfort.

send me an email or leave me a comment if you would like to participate with Laura, Laurinda, and I. We woulc greatly appreciate it!!

Little Monster Family, Pay It Forward, and Charity

2012-01-16T22:56:00.000-08:00

Lillian (left) and Wanda (right)

Lillian is the grumpy little sister to Wanda.

I decided since they are so easy to make,

I am going to make several of them.

I have ideas for at least two others

I just need names

I dunno why I am naming them, but it amuses me.

So Dawn of Fiddlesticks is participating in a project called Pay It Forward.

If you've ever seen the movie or read the book then you have a basic idea of what this is.

She said that the first five people to comment on the post would get a little crocheted "something" from her and then we were to do the same. :)

Even if I am not one of the first five, I still think it would be an awesome little project to share with each other. So I think I will participate too! The first five people to leave a comment here will get something that I have made or will make!

Then you have to do the same thing!

Last but definitely not least! I recently found a blog called Remembering Rowan.

She makes blankets and quilts in her daughter, Rowans, memory

Laurinda Reddig gave birth and lost her daughter in the same day.

She was given a handmade afghan and a quilt to take home instead

"These are the only things that parents in this situation get to bring home and cuddle," she said.

Laurinda and the members of her MOMS club make blankets and quilts to give to the families that lose their children.

A baby is a precious miracle each and every day. They are new life in our world and they are the future.

Lets give the struggling ones some love!

Join me in my project, Blankets for Babies!

I'll get all the information from Laurinda today of how to donate the finished blankets and share it with those who are willing to participate!

Wanda the Little Monster

2012-01-15T00:40:00.000-08:00

Hello all!

How do you like my new layout? Sarah from XOSarah created it for me, and I love it! There are some things I need to add, that she told me how, so I will be able to change some things if I need to as time goes on. She's super sweet and helpful, and works really fast. She sends you the templates so you can edit them in Photoshop if you need too. Do check her out!

Last night while I was on MWR duty (I have it several times every other week) I was bored and decided to look through my patterns to see what I could do that was kind of new. I saw that I had a pattern for some mini pillow pals, pattern found here. They were cute and the directions were super easy, so I decided to give it a try. Sure enough the directions were really easy, although I kind of unintentionally modified them on my own. Oops. The hair took me a little while to figure out, but I find an awesome tutorial here for how to do some hair, and I am rather impressed with how Wanda turned out. :)

2.5" tall and 3"wide :)

She isn't as tall as she is supposed to be, but like I said, I like her the way she is. I definitely plan to make her some friends of different sizes, and hopefully you should see them around here soon. She is my newest desk buddy, and sits beside my computer. Since I don't have actual stuffing, I had to use cotton balls, which work pretty well in my opinion. I'm sure actual stuffing is probably better, but for what I have access to, this will work just fine.

I would be happy to make one for you. :)

Completing Wanda with little difficulty definitely makes me want to try other amigurumi, and I have TONS of those patterns on my computer. I can't wait to see what I create next. ALSO! This is one goal crossed off my Goals for 2012! I made an amigurumi! :D Yay Me! I found a super cute pattern from this same site for some other little monsters called Monsties that look like they would be fun. I can't wait to put my own twist on to all the things that I make.

I have an update on the rainbow blanket. I have about 20 rows left (I managed about 5 a day around work and all the other little crafty projects I do) and then the border. I really really do like this blanket and almost wish I didn't have to make it for someone else. haha. Oh well, I have a tag for the yarn so I can order more. :)

Isn't it awesome?? I can't wait until its done!

And last but not least, the one project that my friend Laura and I have been working on, that no one has guessed.

My 2 RD squares. I plan to make one in every color I have before using multiple colors.

I made half and Laura made half

My 4 RD squares.

Again, I made half and Laura made half

6 RD squares

Laura made most of these. I just made the top left, the middle right one, and the bottom right one

8 RD Squares

I made the top 2 and Laura made the bottom one

We still have to make 10 and 12 RD squares, and we both have lots of yarn on the way. Its rather exciting and I am really glad that she joined me in this project.

We're making a Babette blanket.

126 squares total

50 2RD squares

49 4 RD squares

16 6 RD squares

7 8 RD squares

2 10 RD squares

2 12 RD squares

We currently have 32 squares.

We hang out every night when I have MWR or I have off and we sit around and crochet as much as we can before she goes to bed for the night (we work almost completely different schedules hense why its when I have MWR or off)

I can't wait to see this one done. Lots of great color combo's so far, and Laura has a GREAT eye for color. I can't wait to see what else we come up with before this blanket it done. :D

Laura, crocheting squares and jamming out to music

I am REALLY excited she decided to join me. It makes it more fun with someone else. I can't wait until she starts her own blanket for her adorable daughter Little L. :)

Well, I am off to do some homework and more crochet work. :)

Happy Sunday!

supplies and another clutch

2012-01-12T00:50:00.000-08:00

Please ignore the penguin and Dumbo in the background.

This is on my small little bed in my small little room. :)

Anywho. These are the yarn colors I just got in th email today.

Lately I've been stuck on Caron Simply Soft

and their Party stuff too... sparkly! :)

I absolutely love this yarn. Its so SOFT! Hehehe. Perfect for blankets and everything else.

(from top to bottom, L-R)

Sunshine

Simply Soft Party- Fushia Sparkle

I Love This Yarn- Mixed Berry (The two big ones in the right row)

Dark Country Blue

Blue Mint

Grey Heather

Watermelon

Passion

Autum Red

Celestial Blue- (3 down the right side)

Pagoda

Simply Soft Party- Royal Sparkle

Soft Pink

Garnet

(they look better in person. Promise! :) )

The Mixed Berry is for Little L's baby blanket

and the Celestial Blue is for Shrek Jr's.

The rest of this is for the project I am working on with Laura that no one has guessed at yet.

The Fushia Sparkle is also going to be used to make a iPhone case for Miss. Kayte of Mermaid Eyes. She is the first one who jumped on my free order, and in return she said she would write a blog post about it to help me advertise. So Kayte-- you're getting a little something extra too. Just for being sweet!

Simply Soft- 6oz- 100% Acrylic

I Love This Yarn- 7oz- 100% Acrylic

Simply Soft Party (Sparkle)- 3oz- 99%Acrylic/ 1% Polyester

This is my carrying case for stuff

its supposed to be an art supplies case... but this works better for me

My hooks and a pen on the left

My safety pins (used as stitch markers) and a little notebook in the middle

my scissors and a blue tube thingy on the right

I need some real stitch markers, safety eyes, needle threader, and some yarn needles still to add to this.

The blue book holds my list of yarns, stitch counts for my baby blankets, and other random assortment of information. I also have yarn labels to save in a zipper pouch below my hooks.

My yarn drum. It was a gift from my secret santa. Its where I keep my skeins of yarn for my current project. I also use it to transport yarn from my room to our MWR so Laura and I can use it.

The newest Shell Clutch :)

Just without the button

I don't think any of them have a button.....

Crochet Links Wednesday!

2012-01-11T01:59:00.000-08:00

Its time for another crochet link Wednesday! Today is all about the crochet blogs that I have found in the last week that I want to share with you guys. :)

1. All about Ami- this is a blog all about amigurumi, the art of crocheted stuffed animals. Stephanie makes some super cute things and she shares the patterns that she writes up FOR FREE. She has some cute teddies, phone cases, a Minion, and other stuff. Check her out! I can't wait to learn how to make amigurumi myself! I wanna make that panda for a dear friend of mine!

2. Baby I'm Hooked- This is a super cute blog that shares a love of crochet, arts, crafts, and her baby! She makes some cute things. I think my favorite is the Onigiri! Its basically a Japanese rice ball. She even drew out plans to make a penguin, bear, mouse, owl, and chick. I want the penguin one! She has also made some super cute popsicle keychains/phone charms. She made some super cute little baby bootie keychain thank you gifts for her baby shower too.

3. Crochet For Free- This blog shares all the cute patterns that she finds and she links them back to the blogger she found them at. She lets you know if they are free or if they cost money to purchase. Its pretty cool to see all the awesome patterns she finds! She gives you a lot of search options in her RIGHT sidebar to help find the exact pattern you are looking for!

4. Crochet Projects Around the World- this is a place for people to link up to their projects all over the world. There is another one like this somewhere, but I don't remember the title. Its kind of cool to see all the projects and be able to check out their blog from the picture.

5. Crocheting the Day Away- this is a nifty little blog too. She makes some super cute birdies that I am dying to try to make. She uses her daughter as a model, and her daughter is adorable. She has almost made some sock monkey hats, a baby blanket, some java jackets, and lots of cool beanies. She has started to do Tunisian Crochet as well. She also knits!

6. DIY's Hooks and Yarns- This is a neat little blog where Debi shares her creations. She does a Two on Tuesday weekly post, lots of granny squares, and is just a colorful and pleasant place to visit.

And this is all I have to share for this week. Check out these lovely blogs and the talented ladies behind them!

If you know of a blog that you would like to share, let me know. If you want to be mentioned in a Crochet Links Wed post, then please let me know as well. :)

Creatively Crafty Handmade

2012-01-09T04:40:00.000-08:00

So like I've mentioned probably 100+ times, I want to start an online business of crochet goodness. :) Of things that I have made.

Hense the start of Creatively Crafty Handmade

Its starting slowly, just from people I know who have asked me to make them things, or the baby blankets I am making as gifts to people I am really close with.

I'm excited

But I am working really really hard to make this more then just a dream or a hope. I want to make it a reality.

I made blankets, handbags, scarves, headbands, arm warmers, electronic cases, and have orders for messanger bags as well. I have three adult blanket orders too. I have plans to start making pillow covers too. I want to try to make more beanies. I have lots of plans.

I use 3 or 4 weighted yarn. Cotton, Acrylic, mostly super soft yarn.

If you would like to help me in starting my online shop and you have an order that I can make for you from these categories, then please let me know! I will make it for you at a super discounted rate.

Everything is going to take around about two weeks to get shipped once its made since its coming from Afghanistan where I am stationed, and I will keep you updated on your order. Sometimes I have to wait on yarn to be shipped if you want a color that I don't have, and will let you know that in my initial email with you.

Crochet is one of my biggest priorities and past times here on deployment. I work hard to meet my deadlines, whether you have a deadline or I self impose one. There are examples of my work all over this blog.

The first 3 people that put in an order will get the order made for free, including the cost of shipping it to you. I just ordered a bunch of colorful yarn! So if you would like to help me get my endevor started, please let me know and we can work out the details! I try my best to customize the orders to the buyers color choice.

Thanks!

<3 Jenn!

Crochet for charity

2012-01-09T03:20:00.000-08:00

Hilo ya'll!
I hope ya'll are having a wonderful start to another week. I hope this week is better then the one I had last week, hense my lack of frequent posting. Work and college sometimes get in the way of crochet. -.-'

The blankets are coming along quite well. I am almost done with the rainbow one and working hard on the pink one. I enjoy making baby blankets, and I can't wait to try an adult blanket.

I guess no one is going to try to guess what all of those squares are for?

Anyway... the title of this post is Crochet for Charity... not Jenn's rambles. ((Those can be found at Ramblings of a Nutcase....))

I've seen a lot of articles and blog posts about crocheting for charity and one of my goals for this year is to make something for charity. Right now though, I have no idea what to make or where to send it. Its difficult being in Afghanistan and being so into crochet. I have to order all my yarn online or from my friend who buys it for me, wait about two weeks for it to arrive, and then get made fun of for being an old lady due to my love of crochet. -.-'

Anyone have any suugestions for projects and charities I can crochet for? Maybe we can make it a group event or something like that.

I think I mentioned that I got my friend Laura to crochet here. Everytime I have a day off now, she wants to crochet with me. I love it. :) I love having someone here who understands and shares my love of crochet. It makes me happy! I plan to share it with as many people as possible!!!

I'ma go work more on these blankets and hope to get them almost totally complete!

<3 Jenn

Update on baby blankets :)

2012-01-05T01:29:00.000-08:00

Hiya to all the new readers I suddenly have. It makes me quite happy to see that my numbers are slowly growing. Feel free to say hello anytime, either here or on my email. I love meeting new people, especially people who love to crochet like I do!!! I also have a blog facebook page, so feel free to drop by there and say hello too!!!

As some of you know, my first orders were for two baby blankets for my Warrent Officer's soon-to-be-born niece. One is pink and one is a soft rainbow color that makes me happy to look at. I've been working on the pink one for a while, but I am also really busy with Army stuff and other, quicker projects that just wouldn't leave me alone until they were completed (my Red Hearts Collection or the shell clutches I have been making). Anywho, the pink blanket is a super easy pattern that I found (I don't remember where... probably Ravelry or something). The only problem I have is that I sometimes have a difficult time keeping the same tension in my yarn as I go, so I've had to frog the darn think like three times since I started. Last night (after frogging it yet again because my sides got wider as it went) I decided to try to do about 10 rows each night until its done. The pattern calls for about 100 some odd rows, and I currently have about twenty or so made. I think I might do better if I do it this way. And while I was frogging it this last time, the string broke like three different times, so now I have like 4 small balls of yarn for it -.-' Stupid knots and twists.

The rainbow one also had to be frogged, but it is moving faster because it is not as wide. I am already at 30 rows, with plans to make another 15 tonight. This blanket only calls for 75 rows, so I should be done with this one soon, outside of the edging. :)

So no one knows what this project is yet? Why I am making a bunch of random squares? Anyone care to take a guess???

And when the pink and rainbow blankets are done, then I still have another three baby blankets to make. :) I'm on a roll. Haha. At least I found two patterns I like! Two of them are due by May, one of which is going to be a surprise gift from my shift to our friend.

Little L- purple :)

Shrek jr- Navy Blue

Little M- colors of the Guam flag. (This one is the surprise)

I really enjoy making these baby blankets. After their done, then I have to finish the project that I am waiting to see who guesses it, help my friend Laura make her own blanket, make two bags for art supplies, a bag for Laura's school books (she's going to college while we're here), a scarf and a vest for my mother, a laptop and phone sleeve for my dearest friend Chelsea G, a blanket and phone sleeve for my friend Clark, and then a blanket in my wedding colors at my fiance's request. Yay for busy busy busy!!!!!

What are you working on right now???

Crochet Links Wednesday

2012-01-04T01:51:00.000-08:00

I think that this is going to be a new feature of mine each week. Share some awesome crochet links from the news, some cool outside blogger links I found for all things crochet, and some other awesome crochet blogs.

Here are some new-to-me crochet blogs that I found that are pretty awesome (at least in my opinion)::
Crochet for Free
Crafty is Cool
Things To Make and Do
Crochet With Cris
The Green Dragonfly
EssHaych
Crochet In Color

Here are some other awesome crochet blogs that I follow as well:

Outside Crochet Links:
Fave Crafts
Crochet Pattern Central
Annaboo's House
Attic24

These links are from a blog I read, called Crochet Concupiscense. :) And the links are from random dates

Woman crochets American flags
Linebacker turned Kids Crochet Teacher
Wife Knits, Husband Crochets
Teenage Boys Crochet

New Project Sneak Peak

2012-01-02T02:15:00.000-08:00

Just an image I put together.

This is my color choices for yarn right now. I need to buy a little more

This is a sneak peak of my newest project.

What do you think?

Can you guess what I am making?

I'm excited! My friend Laura at work came in last night and said she wanted me to teach her how to crochet again (she hasn't done it in a while) and decided she wants to help me with the project that I gave you a sneak peak of. And then she wants to make one of her own. I love it. Crochet is slowly spreading around the FOB. Laura.... our Chaplains Assistant, a Sergeant in the S Shop. It makes me so happy. By the end of this deployment I wanna see how many people I can get crocheting! Hahahahahahahaha

So I absolutely love Caron Simply Soft Yarn. :)

Found their Website

And bought lots of pretty colors to make stuff with

And it wasn't too expensive either

I can't wait until I am home and can buy my yarn from a store and take it home that day!!!

I bought:

Dark Country Blue

Soft Pink

Autum Red

Grey Heather

Sunshine

Garnet

Passion

Pagoda

Watermelon

Blue Mint

Fushia Sparkle

Royal Sparkle.

All for $50! To be shipped here to Afghanistan. That includes the shipping cost. But no tax

Its all for this project and hopefully I will have some left over for another one afterwards

I started a Facebook Page for this blog

Creatively Crafty Crochet

Well.... time for work.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Crochet of 2011

2011-12-31T14:36:00.000-08:00

Showing some progress on my baby rainbow blanket

A quick ipod sleeve that I whipped up in less then an hour

Super easy

I didn't start crocheting again until about Nov

And I have to wait for yarn to be shipped to me

I wanted to share some of what I have made since starting crochet again

1. WIP Baby's First Rainbow

2. Simple iPod Sleeve

3. Red Hearts Collection

4. WIP Simply Pink baby blanket

5. Simple Pen Case

6. Two Shell Clutches- Ocean and Winter

1. Arm Warmers

2. Two Knotted Headbands- Gray and Sea Green

3. Simplist Cell Phone case EVER

What did you make in 2011?

clutches, blankets, and more

2011-12-30T00:30:00.000-08:00

Two different versions of my clutch

I'm almost done with a red one

Not sure if it will be for Red Hearts Collection or not

My newest work in progress

A baby blanket with some super soft rainbow yarn

Watching a movie on the xbox while I was working.

This is the second blaket for my Warrent Officer's niece

Here is the first blanket

I have to redo part of while I wait for the second skein of yarn to get here

The bottom is tighter then the top is. -.-'

My friend Laura wants me to make her an over the shoulder bag to hold her books. She said she wanted to buy the yarn for it and the fabric for the liner since its going to kinda be a gift to her. I am also going to be making her daughter a baby blanket. Little L is so adorable!!

My mother messaged me last night on FB (it amuses me that she uses it so much since I've been gone and we can't text or call) She wanted to know how much I would charge her for travel art supplies if she found a pattern and bought the yarn for it. She also wanted a vest and an infinity scarf.

My friend Clarke asked me to make him an iPhone 4 case and a adult sized blanket.

I am still making a blanket for Shrek too.... and want to make something for my parents Anniversary in Sept. :) I'ma be super busy.... and I LOVE it. I told my fiance he has to decide on what colors he wants for the blanket I will make for our first place too... but all these other things are priority. Some things have deadlines... others don't. These baby blankets are easy.... They only take me like two weeks to make at a time. The two adult blankets are going to take me a bit longer though. And I still gotta make Anthony's beanie.

I'm excited for all these people wanting stuff that I make. Its helping me with stuff I want to make for the shop.

Tonight I teach someone the basics of crochet. YAY!!!! :D

Crochet Goals 2012

2011-12-26T23:15:00.001-08:00

I like having goals, simply because it gives me things to work toward. I've already greated my personal Goals for 2012, and shared them on my life blog Ramblings of a Nutcase... now its time to share my Crochet Goals for the New Year! Its mostly things I want to make for my loved ones and then things I want to make for my shop. :) The parentheses are the deadlines I hope to have them done by.

Loved Ones:

* Perry the Platypus for my niece Shai'Ann (her bday)

* Blanket for my best friend Shrek (April)

* Blanket for Little L, my friends daughter (Aug)

* Something for my parents 11th Anniversary- (Sept)

* Something for my best friends Linz and Stephie (May/ Sep respectively)

* Presents for my Bridesmaids (Dec)

* Make something nice for my brothers family. :) (Christmas)

* Beanie for my friend Anthony (March)

* Blanket for my fiance and I's first place (Sep)

* Finish the two blankets for Mrs. Edwards (June)

* Make Minnie Mouse hat for Little Cutie Pie. (April)

* Make something nice for Trish, Ashes, Pam, Rose, Mac, Dad, Jordan and Chelsea G. (July)

Other:

* Make a yarn bag Rainbow style

* Open my Crochet shop with lots of pretty things

* Try Amigurumi 14 Jan 2012

* Make a bouquet of flowers

* Write my own pattern

* Make Holiday decorations

* Finish the Red Hearts Collection

* Make fancy Crochet hook case

* Make 10 headbands

* Learn to sew liners into my bags

I will probably update this in the next two days or so with some stuff I've forgotten today. I'm silly like that. It honestly doesn't seem too much and I crochet a LOT during the day. Wish me luck!!

What are YOUR crochet goals for 2012????
Upon completion, things will be changed and marked off in red. :)

Update

2011-12-26T22:55:00.000-08:00

Today, I am sharing some stuff I've done recently.

I'm almost done with the pink baby blanket, I just have to wait on a skein of yarn (didn't think I'd need three... but the skeins are small). Should be here in the next two weeks. Good thing my deadline is in March...

The almost complete baby blanket

A quick and simple pen case I made in under and hr

It has some shell edging on the flap

I am making a beautiful Occen Blue version of this

And gonna even out the flap....

I also started a new blanket for baby Shrek with some new to me yarn. Its going to be interesting and nice and soft! I shall share my progress with you as it goes!

I've gotten quite a bit done ofr inventories I suppose for a start up shop. I spend at least half of my day at work and crocheting. I really do enjoy it. I'm told I am like an old lady with all this crocheting. I just like making things that people like and want to own. :)

Busy Busy Busy

2011-12-25T13:19:00.000-08:00

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas Holiday. New Years is just around the corner.

Speaking of New Years, I have plans to share my crochet goals of 2012 with you guys before the end of this month. Maybe you guys can give me more ideas to add or some feedback on it.

I am working with Sarah from XOXOSarah about doing a blog makeover for this thing after the start of the new year. I am rather excited to see how it all turns out!

I want to do some weekly posts.... like a Work In Progress day or a Finished Project day. A Crochet Spotlight Day. What do you all think? Share how our fellow crocheters decorate their homes with their work or the kinds of things they make for presents. Decorations and awesome little things.
People that inspire us to keep crocheting. Things you guys like to do when you work. Like I like to watch tv or listen to music when I work.
I'm gonna be looking at Google and Yahoo and see if I can find some awesome Crochet stories every week.
Share people who wear or use crochet in their everyday lives

I've read somewhere that crochet is making a comeback, young people are picking up hooks and creating lovely things. Isn't it awesome? I'm often told I'm like a old lady because I spend my free time crocheting. I take it to work because we have lots of free time and I have to find some way to stay awake other then electronics.

I want to share your projects and patterns with other people. I want us to share in each others triumphs.

An update on the Red Hearts Collection!

One more white heart and then I have to make a couple purple and black ones

I still have to make a cell phone case too

I also recieved a little travel art supply tri-fold that I have turned into my crochet supply tri-fold. Holds my hooks, scissors, and will hold other stuff too. I still plan on making one though.

My handy dandy little crochet organizer

Its a little empty right now...

but I am working on building my supplies

I got a BUNCH of crochet hooks for Christmas. I am rather excited about it.

ALL of my new crochet hooks

Minus the one I already had.

I think I'm set for a little while.

I got a yarn drum from my Secret Santa that will now house my WIP's. Like my blanket, my Red Hearts Collection, and whatever else I am working on.

Here are some awesome links that I have found:

Groups donate handmade items to community services

Men Who Crochet

Crochet Group Knits Afghans for Shelter

Benevolent Crocheter

Hospital Worker Crochets Gifts for Every Newborn

Nimble Fingers for Charities

Merry Christmas! From Afghanistan

2011-12-24T00:41:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to you all!

From Afghanistan!

I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday season!

My little Christmas Tree with my new ornament on it

from With Love, Jamie

Since I spent last night in my room due to a sinus infection I got bored and decided I needed to make something. I picked a random skein of yarn (Red Hearts Shimmer White) and just scanned through my patterns. I've been on a handback kick lately, so I made this little clutch. It looks kind of sideways in this picture, but it looks a lot better in person!

Winter Clutch

I started again on that baby pink blanket I was making that I've mentioned before. After this is done I have a couple more projects I want to try!

A lovely rainbow yarn tote

just for my WIP projects

and a kind of complex crochet hooks case

its holds scissors, hooks, needles, and a few more things

A lovely riply rainbow blanket

for when my fiance and I live together

AND

A super duper DS Game carrying case

yes... I said super duper....

Happy Holidays

2011-12-23T04:53:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow si Christmas eve!

It snuck up on me.

So not cool

I hope you all enjoy your holiday season with your friends and family!

I really miss mine!

1 down....

2011-12-21T22:56:00.000-08:00

But like 9 more to go!

The complete camera case.

It took me like 6 tries with different patterns to find a heart pattern that worked. It drove me CRAZY!!!!

But at least one part is complete.... finally.

God I am slow sometimes

I was focused on watching Fried Green Tomatoes and Mr. Poppers Penguins that I got in the mail yesterday then actually trying to crochet. -.-' I absolutely adore both of those movies. I used to watch Fried Green Tomatoes all the time as a child with my Mom... it was one of our favorite movies. Mr. Poppers Penguins is just a super cute movie... and I love Penguins!

I got some other hearts made but I left all of the other stuff in my room so I had nothing ot attach them too. I wasn't running back to my room because it was in the low 20's last night NOT COUNTNG THE WIND CHILL... its too darn cold outside!

Hopefully tonight I can share with you more finished projects!

Red Hearts Collection Update

2011-12-20T00:28:00.000-08:00

So its been a productive last couple of days. At least in my opinion it was! I got a TON of craft supplies in some packages, TONS of hot chocolate (yum) and lots of other goodies! All from one person too. Trish is awesome and has been sending me lots of stuff! I got lots of new yarn too!

This is from Trish

From one of her three boxes I got the other night

This is from my Warrent Officer

I about tripped over the box in my room at 2 am

because I didn't know it was there

and I was carrying Trish's boxes in

I'm trying to make some colleges to show you the next step in my collection creations. :) All I honestly did was add buttons. I didn't know how to do that before (sounds lame right?) But at least now they close... and I am really proud of myself. :D

The collection is coming along nicely and I can't wait until its complete. Only a few more items to make for it. And then I might even use it as a give away. O.o

Purse 1

Coin PUrse

Travel Make up Bag

Camera Case

(Was all made in two days at work)

I still have to make the second purse, electronics cases, the clutch, and some other stuff to go with

Can be sold individually or bought as a collection

Step 1: Make the items

Step 2: Sew on the buttons

Step 3: Sew on the hearts

Step 4: Ready to sell

(I'm on steps 1 and 2!)

I absolutely love this red yarn that I am using. My best friend Linz sent it to me, she works at Joannes, and I had to ask her to send me some more! Yay!

Red Heart Soft Yarn

Color: Really Red (9925)

5oz

I got two skeins

I have other stuff to make in other colors

but I wanted to get this idea done first. :)

OH! I also made a quick and simple Crochet Needle Case.

Its kind of big, but I have 4 crochet needles with three more on the way

I needed a place to store them until I make the bigger version

The picture isn't showing up yet.

It still needs a button and a liner so the hooks don't fall through.

WEll... I gotta get back to making my stuffs. :)

Getting to know each other

2011-12-18T02:12:00.000-08:00

So I figured... that if I wanted to make this a small community we should get to know each other. I've mentioned how I want to have interviews or guest posts about other crochet lovers, but for now... a basic introduction!

Name:
Age: if you want to
Your Website
Occupation
Favorite completed project
Favorite outside of blogger crochet site
What got you into crochet

Here is mine::

Name: Jenn

Age: 20

Your Website: this one as well as Ramblings of a Nutcase

Occupation: Air Traffic Controller in US Army

Favorite completed project: My crossbody bag

Favorite outside of blogger crochet site: Ravelry probably

What got you into crochet: My best friends mother when we were in high school during my first hurricane. Ive loved it ever since... although only recently decided to do stuff more often and open a shop.

Please introduce yourself in the comment section. :)

Projects update

2011-12-18T02:06:00.000-08:00

Another day and more attempts have been made to spruce this page up a bit... and its driving me bonkers. I don't know if its just my internet or my luck with things when I have a big idea or plan. I was trying to put this together myself... but I may just have to ask someone to make me a layout with all the extra little things like headers and a button or two. I wish I wasn't so HTML illiterate. -.-'

I have lots of fun plans for this new blog, I want to make it into a community of like-crafting people. For now, since I am in Afghanistan, its going to focus on crochet, since that is my craft of choice over here. Once I learn to knit and sew, they will both be added to it as well. I always have a ridiculous amount of ideas for things... like the collection of stuff I am working on right now.

It started out as wanting to make something for my best friend, who always sends me lots of yarn and stuff to feed my habit. She works at a craft store... so she gets a discount and I don't feel as bad for always asking her for stuff... even though she told me she doesn't mind. So anyways, I went searching Ravelry for a good pattern for a purse to make for her.... but instead I found TONS of good patterns that I couldn't wait to try. So as I found a purse one i liked and I got started, I realized that I loved this yarn and wanted to make more stuff with it... which then started the idea to make a collection of stuff.... purse, coin pourse, travel make-up bag, more cell phone and ipod cases, a new and better camera case.... So I started planning a collection of stuff... and then decided to make stuff for my other best friend, her little sister. Since its Red yarn from Red Hearts, I have considered calling it the Red Hearts Collection... because its red and I plan to also add some hearts or something to it all as well.

I already completed the purse, a small coin purse, and a make up bag in about a day (mostly while I was at work and we had NO aircraft.) Tonight I plan to work more on it so I can show you guys more of it. I still have to make the hearts and stuff to add to it, but my focus was making the items themselves.

Here are some pictures before I add embellishments to them. I still have more to make

this is a crossbody bag pattern I got from CreativeMe

I absoltely LOVED it

This is supposed to be a travel sized makeup bag

from a pattern I got from Ravelry

It will only hold small things

lipgloss, lipstick, chapstick, small tubes and brushes, maybe a small compact

small coin purse

its perfect and it was SO easy to make!

Here are some other things I have made in this last month alone. :)

My first project.... a set of arm warmers

A cute knotted headband

I've since made another one

and once I am done experimenting... I plan to make more

ipod case

camera case (needs some work)

and a small cellphone case

(I only had the one color for almost a month)

A cute little childrens scarf

my own design

a baby blanket that I am in the middle of making now

Had to take a break so I created the Red Hearts Collection

Hiya!

2011-12-16T22:52:00.000-08:00

Hiya!

I'm Jenn and you might know me from Ramblings of a Nutcase.

This blog, Creatively Crafty is going to be a craft blog, mostly about crochet. A place to share patterns, meet other crocheters, and share projects. Eventually I will add sewing things and some knitting, once I learn them both.

Its a work in progress that is taking longer then I would like to put together. -.-'

Hopefully it will be decent soon. So please be patient with me as I work around my Army schedule to make this blog a great crafty community.