Craftaholics Annonymous 2013 Summer Gift Exhchange

I know I've not posted in forever but if there is anyone that ever reads my blog they know that is nothing new.  I go months, ok maybe a year or so, without posting.  I don't have a lot of followers so I guess there's just no "connection" there that makes me want to correspond.  But since I do still crochet, still live in my RV and still want to participate in this summer's Crafaholics Annonymous Gift Exhange, I have to have a link for the linky party!

So here is the gift I made for my partner:

The scarf does not come with the bling-bling pin (it's actually a barrett) but I thought it was cute so I added it.  The yarn is 100% sugar cane that I found in the bottom of a basket at Tuesday Mornings.  It was so soft that I couldn't help but get it.  Alas it was the only one so I was limited with what I could do with it.  When my partner said she liked jewelry and blue I thought this would work well.  I know it's not "technically" jewelry, but seriously have you seen some of the chunky stuff that is available now?  I think this will pass! :)  I hope she loves it as much as I hate to pass it on.

Broomstick Lace Friendship Shawl

FINALLY!!  This shawl turned out absolutely beautiful.  The open loop strips are what is referred to the broomstick lace, or it can also be called jiffy lace.  This is a free pattern that can be found here.

I wore it to a Red Hat function and got so many compliments!  For those of you that don't have a clue what Red Hat's is all about...at least from what I've observed...it's a gathering of ladies 50+ that get all dolled up in their finest Red and Purple, the gaudier the better, and go out for lunch.  How fun is that?!  Well as many of you know I fall a few years shy of the 50 mark so I am not able to wear the traditional Red and Purple, thus I am referred to a Lavender Lady and must adorn myself in Pink and Lavender.   Sooooo...that was my inspiration for this shawl!

ECU (extreme close-up) of the broomstick pattern.

 Before I sewed the border on.

 Broomstick lacing the border's inner edge.

 ECU of border...yes it was a bit difficult to hang on to!

Finished shawl...how cute is that?!

The broomstick technique was so fun and popular that I will be working on some more patterns and teaching the basic technique to some of the winter texans.  I hope they love it as much as I do!!

Here are some other things you can do with the broomstick technique.



What about these lovelies?!





This is the scarf pattern we will be doing in class.



Until next time....

Wednesday is Craft Day!

Good windy afternoon!!  It was 72 degrees this morning in deep south Texas and now at nearly 5pm it is 43 degrees...seriously.  When the weather changes here it is NOT foolin' around!  The good thing is that it never lasts long, a couple of days maybe.  So today was craft day at the RV park and it made me realize it's about time that I updated my blog.

Remember this pic from a few weeks ago?  

Well this is what the Rockstar blanket looks like now.  The star is finished but I still need to come up with an edging.  I hope the new owners will like it!!



Here is a picture of one of my newest projects.  I'm doing a mock seed stitch that I think is beautifully textured.  Using the Aran yarn with the flecks of color only add to the texture...I can't wait to see how this turns out! As a finished product it will be a smock type jacket with a couple of buttons on the front.  It already feels like it will be very warm...I wish it was ready for today!!!

Don't you just love this purple!!!  I'm learning a broomstick lace technique using large knitting needles.  This will be a shawl but I can already envision so many cool things to do with this technique.

The edge of the shawl will have these pretty little flower squares to finish it off.  It looks so dainty! 

This is a sample of the craft project for today.  It has been called both Indian and Mexican Weaving, so I guess it depends on where you are from.  This is my pinwheel design but there were soooo many patterns to choose from.  I may do another pinwheel on either side in red to resemble fireworks.

In other exciting news....

I have officially joined the Crochet Guild of America.  I am really excited about this venture.  I am hoping that I will be able to carve out some time in my schedule this spring to work on their masters certificate program.  

This weekend I will be attending a bellydance workshop event called Rio Raks.  I have not had the opportunity to do much dancing this winter so I will be one sore puppy!!  But a happy puppy will be I! 

Don't forget to visit my website!!  I currently use ShopHandmade.com but am SERIOUSLY considering Etsy since it is so well known and followed better than ShopHandmade.  Does anyone else use ShopHandmade?  Etsy?  Opinions and comments welcome!!

Stay warm and be blessed!