Caroline Ingalls Shawl - and itsa mai birthday too!

Caroline Ingalls Shawl - medium
Originally uploaded by susanlikesrats

Well, here it is. I finished it!

In other news: I'm so tired from this long July month. It feels like I celebrated my birthday all month long. My husband's birthday is in July too, earlier in the month. So we start the celebrations early in the month, then celebrate our "combined birthday", one weekend in the middle of July. Then I always end up celebrating my birthday again at the end of the month. Yes, I am cheesy like that. So now I am totally burned out on my birthday, but in a happy, fuzzy brained way. I'm just trying to get caught up on all the dishes. I cooked a whole bunch and baked a cake, so I could use my skills to bless other people. (That's what I try to do every year for my birthday). It's just a big huge gastronomical excess. But that is one of the things I like to do, so i do it.

giant granny afghan; caroline ingalls shawl

giantgrannydetail
Originally uploaded by susanlikesrats

I finally posted pictures of my first completed project since starting ravelry. It's a super giant granny afghan, and I made it by crocheting 4 giant granny squares, then slip stitching them together and adding on a fancy edging. It was a stash buster, using up a lot of the acrylic yarns I had accumulated, plus many colors I had been given (2 different women donated their entire yarn stashes to me, comprised of acrylic yarn solely).

I wanted to mention that I am finally putting the tassels on my "Caroline Ingalls" shawl. It's not a perfect match to the shawl that the actress wore on the t.v. show, but it's inspired by it. And it makes me feel like a pioneer woman when I wear it. So that is what counts. I hope to be able to take some pictures soon. Maybe I'll dress up as a pioneer woman and have my husband take my picture with it on! (Note to self: Hair in bun, wear a stiff white shirt, throw on shawl, and remember to not say cheese or smile).

I still have to pre-shrink some fabric before I embark on my first sewing projects. Why am I paralyzed with nervousness? Why haven't I started sooner? I have all my necessary sewing doodads, plus my machine is out on my work table...

Crochet Bouquet: Columbine Crochet Along

I'm late in starting this, but the July Crochet Along for the book, "Crochet Bouquet" by Suzann Thompson is the Columbine. I'm going to dig through my yarn stash today and make a lovely columbine! Yay!!! I have been wanting to make these flowers for so long but I had to wait to buy the book until my birthday, which is in July.

Canon PowerShot SD1100IS

Canon PowerShot SD1100IS
Originally uploaded by DigitalCompacts.com

I'm thinking about buying a new digital camera. I need it to be fairly inexpensive but take good pictures. I found this camera after searching online for the most recommended "point and shoot" cameras. This one seems popular. It's kinda cute too. I'm loving the brown one. It's called "bohemian brown" which suits me. I wonder if I might do better with my pesos if I shopped around a little more. It's always a little nerve wracking to make a choice when it comes to technology.

cute baby room!

april 2008 014
Originally uploaded by ohkimma

I love this girl's style. Her daughter's room is awesome. But I wanted to remember this baby afghan and pillows set that she made. I might like to make something similar for my daughter. I would like for her room to be special too! I suffer from indecision and never actually get around to decorating. We have quite a few cute items saved up, but they are all in disarray. Perhaps it's time to pull it all together and decorate the girl's room!

sewing bug bit me, big time!

I'm back! My health was pretty bad for awhile there. The docs never did figure out what was wrong with me. But it was a great motivation to improve my diet and get some exercise. I'm eating mainly whole foods which is so energizing and good for you. So now I am feeling energy again, and I find myself drawn to create things. I'm currently crocheting a baby blanket. But I have 3 books coming in the mail, as a birthday present to myself. I ordered:

Lotta Jansdotter's "Simple Sewing: Patterns and How-To for 24 Fresh and Easy Projects"

Jocelyn Worrall's "Simple Gifts to Stitch: 30 Elegant and Easy Projects"

Suzann Thompson's "Crochet Bouquet: Easy Designs for Dozens of Flowers"

I was so excited to see that Suzann Thompson is having a crochet bouquet-along for her book! That was total inspiration to buy her book, which I had been wanting for a long time.

I bought some fabric on sale at Joann's. And I cleaned off my work space. Now I just have to find my sewing machine in the closet. I think it's way up high on the shelf behind some boxes of books. So I'd better get my man to help!

Another book that I want is Amy Karol's "Bend the Rules Sewing", but I can't afford to buy more books right now. But I found the pattern online from her book, the one for the adorable baby bibs. I was so happy because this is actually the pattern I wanted to try first from her book. Joy!!!

Another book I have my eye on is

Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects

There are just so many cool sewing books right now. Same goes for crochet. Is there a renaissance taking place with women and handiwork???