We have so much time, and so little to do!

Good Morning Crafty Friends!

We have so much time, and so little to do! As  Willy Wonka would say or is that I have so much to do and so little time…the latter I think. So in a nutshell, here it is.

Just so you know:

I am now calling this “Hooks and Chains” which is what I have called my yarn crafts for quite some time.

On the Home Front:

My hubby and I went for a long weekend to Lake Ouachita and the Ouachita National Forest. It was HOT! A tree fell on a power line on Sunday and the electricity was out for many hours! That was not fun. We had the 3 dachshunds with us so we could go nowhere but the deck and sit in the heat. We survived, but I didn’t like it.

On my Mind:

I listen to YouTube while I work. I have found so many many many knitting podcasts. Although I love to listen to all of these, my main craft is crochet and would love to hear some crochet chatter and see more completed crochet projects! So where are all the crocheting podcasts? There is virtually nothing out there for crochet. Well, I should say I have found very little people showing crochet. I am seriously contemplating doing a crochet podcast. I have no idea how to go about it and I have to plan what I would include. I will keep thinking about this. Let me know what you think.

What’s in my ears:

This week’s podcasts that I listened to and really liked are as follows (links in blue):

Smells Like Yarn by smellgreatguy aka funkoboy on Instagram and Ravelry
Bakery Bears by Kay Jones and Dan Jones
HomespunPodcast by Molly
Essence of Me
jennlikesyarn
TheKnitGirllls
in a sKnit
debbie shore

On and Off my Needles:

I completed one sock with my knitting attempt! It is awful and has so many mistakes, The second sock should be better! I do have the second sock cast on and started. Along the knitting lines, I started and have half way completed a dishcloth for my Ravelry group “Smells like Yarn” for the August 2014 Dishclothalong”. I should have it complete tonight. My needles came in and I was very excited.

On my Hook:

I still have a chevron Razorback colors baby blanket to complete. It is almost done. As Mitch’s (my hubby) Granddad Floyd always use to say “I just need a little time”!

Swap Obsessions:

I have many swaps that will go out on Friday. I received a new Dotee Doll and cute tiny knitted mouse and some notions to make a Dotee doll. Gloria in N. Ireland made and sent these to me for a swap. Thank you to her for her kindness. Her work is beautiful. All the ladies that make these are so artistic. I just love the work put in these dolls! My friend D Granfors has a blog and is so very artistic! Go check her out http://debsdollsandquilts.blogspot.com/2014/08/swaps-ive-been-finishing-up-some-things.html! She also is hosting the “Halloween Dotee Dolls” swap on swap-bot. The Deadline to join is August 31^st and the swap sends by September 15^th. I am still trying to decide what to make. I want to do something different from the Dotee’s that I have done so far. I am not very artistic like these two ladies I have mentioned above. My work just can’t even come close to theirs. I have Hot Chocolate to buy for a swap that goes in September. I guess that is it on the swapping obsessions. I am hosting a “12 Days of Christmas” Dotee Swap for December which I mentioned to ya’ll in an earlier post.

On the Sewing Front:

I have dug into my stash of material and found some material to sew some project bags for my crochet and knit projects. I made some cute beaded pulls for these. I think I will start these this weekend. I bought some really cute material from a quilt shop and need to cut out an apron for Elle, my granddaughter. We are buying her a pink retro kitchen for Christmas and I want to make several aprons for her.

“Idea” just popped into my head and could be dangerous:

I will have to crochet and knit some tiny dishcloths for Elle to put with the kitchen set for Christmas!

Kindle love:

I know there is nothing like the feel of a book in your hands, but there are a few good reasons to have and love a Kindle. The first being that I can make the words as large as I like and I am finding that as I get older I need the words larger because I just can’t see anymore! The second, is that I can read in bed without some awkward book light and not keep the other half up! There are many more, but I will stop there for now. I have several books started on the Kindle, but the one I want to mention today is the Annie’s Attic Mystery Series. I am loving this Series of books. This one has a yarn club at the center. They also have several mystery series that have like quilting at the center. They are good. Go check them out.

http://www.anniesfiction.com/ .

 

If I just didn’t have to work for money, I could get so many crafts completed! Until next time…Happy Crafting!

Cindy

In a Rut

Hi Happy Crafters! I feel as if I am in a bit of a rut. I haven’t accomplished much in the past couple of weeks. I posted several swaps in the mail and I did complete my interpretation of “mother nature” Dotee doll for a swap-bot swap. When I think mother nature, the word that comes to mind is pure. I call her “Purity”. I have to work on my Halloween Dotee for a swap. I am still hashing out ideas in my mind on that one. I also have a sock cast on my knitting needles and it should be done this weekend. I just want to get this sock complete no matter how many mistakes I have made. The second sock will be much better! I have had fun knitting this. I enjoy knitting quite a lot. I can’t knit very fast like I do with crochet. I also made a lanyard to attach my small pair of scissors. I have this problem with them always falling into the crack of my chair. I use them quite often when crocheting and changing colors. I made it like a really long necklace and it is all beaded and pretty. I love it and it works just like I thought it would. They hang around my neck and are always there when I need them and no more trying to find them in the crack! Everyone should have a beautiful beaded lanyard for your snips. I have a chevron Razorback colors baby blanket almost complete on my hook for my grandson that is coming around December the first. I have in mind to sew some project bags this weekend. I see so many cute ones out there and I know I can sew and make my own. I picked up some stuff to make cute little beaded pulls for the bags. I need cute material for these so I will be out on the hunt for that. Thank you to my cousin Debbie (the absolute best seamstress/quilter I know!) for introducing me to quilt shops that have the most fabulous material! I have to design a couple of squares for a swap with Arkansas in mind. My swap partner, who is from the UK, for this is putting together a USA blanket with her son who is physically disabled and is getting a bit board on school break. They are collecting squares from people from each state for this blanket along with a post card. I love this idea! I will send as much information of the old “Fort Smith” and hanging Judge Isaac C. Parker (True Grit) and since the trail of tears is literally crosses my front yard, I will put some information and pictures in the package. I think I will create a square with the state shape and name and maybe one with a razorback. That is all I have for now.

Happy Crafting!

Cindy

The twelve days of Christmas Dotee swap

I am hosting a swap on swap-bot. If you don’t know what this is, go check it out http://www.swap-bot.com/

The Twelve Days of Christmas Dotee

Put this image on your site!

Swap Homepage:	http://craftydiycindy.blogspot.com/
Swap Coordinator:	cinandrews04 (contact)
Swap categories:	Dotee Dolls
Number of people in swap:	1
Location:	International
Type:	Type 3: Package or craft
Rating requirement:	4.90
Last day to signup/drop:	November 8, 2014
Date items must be sent by:	December 6, 2014
Number of swap partners:	1
Description:
For this swap you will make one 12 Days of Christmas themed Dotee doll and send to one partner. This Dotee Doll swap must be 4 to 6 inches and stuffed with a BEADED hanger and a BEADED tail. It does not have to be a traditional Dotee body shape. This package should only contain one Dotee and a note or card with your swap-bot name and the swap name. Please no extra's. Use the theme from the Christmas Song the 12 Days of Christmas and let your imagination and creativity run wild! I have included part of the song and a link to the song. On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: 12 Drummers Drumming Eleven Pipers Piping Ten Lords a Leaping Nine Ladies Dancing Eight Maids a Milking Seven Swans a Swimming Six Geese a Laying Five Golden Rings Four Calling Birds Three French Hens Two Turtle Doves and a Partridge in a Pear Tree http://www.metrolyrics.com/12-days-of-christmas-lyrics-christmas-song.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyMOaROAz9I/ To participate in this swap, you should have no unexplained ones or threes and have participated in at least one type 3 swap in the past. Please keep in mind that it will be close to Christmas and do not sign up if you don't have the time or postage dollars to participate in this swap.

Ipsy and big fat stuffed envelope swap!

Ipsy came and my big fat stuffed envelope swap came! Just showing the pics!

Happy crafting!

Smells Like Yarn Episode 18

Bakery Bears Podcast - Episode 8 - 'The Holiday Special'

Musing at the dachshund farm

Hi There Happy Crafters!

I figured out that I messed up on my sock and did not work the correct pattern. Oh well, I am going to complete this one like it is just so I can try to figure everything out. This is only the second knit pattern I have tried to read and follow, so I will give myself a break. They will work even thought I didn’t knit 6 and purl 2. I did just knit. They won’t be as pretty but I will cast on another pair after I have these complete and hopefully will have worked everything out by then. I did complete many squares in crochet for swaps and another Dotee doll. I have six packages going to the post tomorrow. That is too many at once. I am going to have to get that under control because I want it to be fun not a burden and job. I have a full time job and I sure do NOT want another one. I received a big wonderful package from my friend in England madaboutpooh. She was so generous! It was not expected or necessary, but I thank her so much for her hard work and kindness. I post a pick of her swap. Many squares and handmade stitch markers and soft beautiful yarn! That is all from the dachshund farm! (that’s what I call our house! There are so many weenie dogs that live here!) The next time I post maybe there will be a sock complete!

 

10 questions answered-what's your answers?

Hi my happy crafter friends! I caught a summer cold and have been down a few days. The up side, my 4 legged babies loved me being at home! I completed another 7 days of dishcloths. I also cast-on a sock! Yes teaching myself to knit and I am so proud of this sock so far. I am using a Raverly pattern called Vanilla Latte Socks. It was a free pattern and was recommended by Kay Jones of Bakery Bears. It looks really bad as far as knitting goes, but to me, it’s a thing of beauty! I am just jumping up and down doing a happy dance about this sock! Meanwhile back to the starship Cindy… while listening to youtube, catcrazycreations started this tag. I thought it was pretty neat and I will try to answer the questions. I am really interested in anyone commenting back with their own answers! So join right in and thank you catcrazycratons!

 

1. How long have you been knitting or crocheting?

  I have been crocheting for about 40 years. I have been trying to teach myself to knit for about a year.

2. Where do you knit or crochet?

  Most often in front of the tv, but pretty much anywhere I go that I have to wait. I always bring something along.

 
3. When do you knit or crochet (Morning, afternoon, evening or anytime)?

  I work full time, so most usually in the evening but anytime I am sitting, I am crocheting or knitting

4. What is your favorite needles or hooks to use?

  Knitter’s Pride Karbonz and just the plain old Boye aluminum hooks. My most used hook sizes are I, H, and G

5. What is your favorite brand of yarn to use?

  simply soft caron for crochet

  opal for wool knit socks

6. What are your favorite things to knit or crochet?

  This so depends on what my mood is and what I am doing at the same time. There are times that you need mindless projects that there is no counting and a lot of thought required.  I haven’t knitted very long. I am loving making these socks.  I have no favorite thing to crochet. I like to do and try a wide variety of projects. I prefer something fast that doesn’t take months to complete.

7. How do you get ideas or inspiration for your projects?

  Ravelry, Pinterest, Youtube, all free crochet, books, people

8. How did you learn to knit or crochet?

My mother and grandmother taught me. I can never remember not knowing how to crochet. My first big project was as the age of 9 or 10 when I

 Made a granny square baby blanket out of pastel variegated yarn.

9. How do you store or keep your patterns?

  I must admit with head hanging in shame, thrown in a box. I really need to put these in binders and organize! It’s now on my to-do list! I also store in an email folder my digital ones so I can bring them up on my phone or kindle at any time.

10. Do you have any other hobbies?

  Many. I want to make a full time job of hobbies. This blog is one of them. I also am an avid reader. I sew. I swap. I bake. I try my hand at many crafts.

Enjoy and Happy Crafting!

Ipsy bag is on its way!

Hi everyone! I hope all of you are being creative and crafting away! A while back I saw on youtube some people showing their ipsy glam bags they received in the mail. I thought to myself, with as much make up as I use and buy, this $10 a month for what you get could be worth it. I went and checked it out and loved what I saw. I have had to wait a while on list, about a month or a little more, but I have been notified that my first Ipsy glam bag is on its way and I am so excited. I will post pictures or video of my glam bag as soon as I receive it. If you want to check it out go here http://www.ipsy.com/r/k801.