Rain, Rain, Go A W A Y!!!!

I am not one to complain about the seasons, I love the changes and for the most part enjoy the weather that comes with each season. BUT...last year I do remember complaining that it seemed like we went straight from winter to summer with no spring....famous last words as Mother Nature is most definitely making up for that lack with a vengence this year.

I will admit that although I love the seasons, I could never live in Texas and endure that heat all year long, nor could I live in Alaska, and have the cold for that long. So for me, Ohio is almost perfect...at least it was until now.

Normally, I love rainy days, they are great for getting things done in the house and knitting/crocheting, but Enough Already. I am really starting to feel dreary and gloomy, just like the sky outside all my windows.

It did not actually rain yesterday here, so I had to ride the horses (poor things are really behind in the "getting in shape for competition department"), and since every single field, the arena, and round pen are soaked, yes completely soaked, we had to work the trails. Walking around the hay field (which normally is never muddy), each step was "squish, squish, squish". So they scrambled up and slid down every muddy hill, but luckily through the woods wasn't terrible, we were able to trot and lope in a few places.

The only good things about all the rain so far, is that I am getting the Beach Cottage Blanket just about finished, and starting work on a custom order "Wubby" blankie using white, coral and pale mint green, I'll show pics of that when it's finished, it should be beautiful.

I'm starting to fret a bit about all that needs done for the baby shower that's coming up fast...I'm making a couple of items for the soon-to-be grandbaby that I really want to have ready for the shower, all the diy decorations that I want to make...AND still work on items for my etsy shop. I'll be sure to take lots of pics of each project and include links and instructions to post, but I doubt I'll get them posted until after the shower, which is set for the first weekend in June, so stay tuned for all that's coming, and let me just apologize now if I'm a little scarce on here for the next couple of weeks.

In case you missed my post of Rainy Day Horse Play, check it out, you'll see how the horses are coved in mud, then you see what I'm talkin' about. (maybe all that playing will get them in shape...).

I just have to include this treasury that includes my Nature Cotton Lap Blanket, it soooo fit my mood this morning. The whole treasury is just so cozy!

What's on my hook....Beach Cottage Chic

My puter woes continue, it has taken me almost 2 hours just to upload the following 2 pics!!! I really don't think it's my new puter, so that leaves my internet service (satellite), could be the weather, have I mentioned how badly I want dsl????

So finally, here are the pics....it's a work in progress, developing into a large lap afghan and I am in loveeeeee with the colors and how it's turning out. I wanted to design a light-weight blanket that would be right at home in a beach house/cottage, and I really think I've nailed it.

I'm crocheting it using a light-weight organic cotton yarn in colors you would find on the beach; aqua, driftwood, stone and clouds. I think making large horizontal stripes is giving it a very contempory look (I'll be sure to post pics of the finished blanket when it's ready). I can already picture it layed over the arm of a wicker chair in someone's beach cottage...or over the back of a cream color plush couch in an elegant beach house. Maybe even just dropped on a chaise lounge on a deck over looking the ocean, could be a lake....

The best attributes of making it out of cotton is that it will be machine washable AND the softness that only get softer with age. Don't you just love the softness of an old, used quilt? I sure do, the more you use it and wash it, the softer it will get, but you get that softness much sooner with a yarn as opposed to fabric.

I'm using the same pattern for this one as I used on my Nature's Gradation Lap Afghan/Blanket only bigger. AND on my new one, I am using two different colors together between the solid stipes to make the transitions between the stipes a bit softer. Let me know what you think so far....also this post has been linked to a few parties...go check them out!

My 1st Wreath Craft...& new Etsy item Listing

I previously posted about this afghan in my new series "What's on my needles...(or hook)". It was commissioned by etsy seller Nikki of Bond Girl Creations 26, and she loved it. Here's what she said in her feedback...

"Such a pleasure to work with...she bent over backwards to make me exactly what I wanted and the blanket is simply gorgeous and such high quality! The packaging was exceptional too! :)"

What wonderful compliments! Thank you Nikki.

I've decided to offer it for sale in my etsy shop, the new listing is here. It will be a CUSTOM order, which means I will make it to suit the buyer after they purchase it. I'm also writing up the pattern for possible sale too, (haven't yet decided if I want to do that).

I call it Nature's Gradation as I made it using all Earth Tones and it graduates from the darkest color at the bottom to the lighest at the top. I also made it out of organic cotton yarn in a very open design crochet so that it can be used all year round. One of the best things about using cotton is that it just gets softer and softer with use.

And here is my very first door wreath!!!! I was so excited when I finished it, that I just had to share.

I've never considered myself a "crafty" person, to me knitting and crocheting are skills that I've learned, but when I was watching Martha Stewart a few weeks ago, they made the cutest little oval wreath and I had a very strong urge to give it a try (they made it look sooooo easy, and it really is).


I really liked the little one they made but I wanted a big one for my front door, and I wanted it decorated more for easter. So, first thing I had to do was take to a trip to Hobby Lobby (all their wreath making supplies and flowers were 50% off, yay). So now I have what I need to make more in the future (cause, yeah, I enjoyed it so much I'll probably be making one for every season)...

But for this one I purchased a large round grapevine wreath

some dried eucalyptus

light pink gerbera daisies, hot pink gerbera daisies

chartreuse hydrangeas

a very small bag of dried moss that had a nice variety

a bag of plastic easter eggs in assorted sizes (all the easter decorations was 50% off as well, double yay)

thin gauge wire

pins

and wide green and white stripe roll of ribbon (also 50% off, yayyayyay)

And my mom (who is one of those people that can do anything she sets her mind to) came for a quick visit, so I roped her into helping me...THANK YOU MOM!!!!

First step was to soak the grapevine wreath in water, I did mine in the tub with a bath towel on top of it to keep it submerged, overnight. To make the wreath oval, I just used my hands and squeezed the top until it was the shape I wanted.

Next I used some shears to cut away some of the grapevine along the small end of the oval (which was going to be the top of my wreath) along the outside edge just to get a more oval shape.

I started adding the dried eucalyptus by just sticking it into the wreath where I wanted it, then started adding the flowers the same way.

I left space at the bottom to attach the moss which we had soaked to rehydrate (because I wanted living moss not dried)...and WOW, that teeny tiny bag of dried moss completely covered my center kitchen island once it plumped up! I attached it using the floral pins just shoved down into the grapevine.

Next job was to attach the easter eggs using my hot glun gun.

Last, we made the bow (going to have to get some bow-making lessons from my sister-in-law Kelly), but I think we managed to make it presentable.

To keep the moss alive, all I have to do is keep it spritzed with water! I LOVE it! And mom and I had so much fun making it. I'm already thinking about the ones I want to try for the other 3 seasons...

I would recommend going to http://www.marthastewart.com/ for the full tutorial, I'm sure it's much more detailed.

Can you see who's peeking out at the bottom of the door, and I don't mean my reflection taking the pic???

Linked to: BetweenNapsOnThePorch check it out for other before and after ideas AND Swing Into Spring Party at DIY by Design Blog

Interview -- Etsy seller Brenda of Phydeaux Designs

Brenda of Phydeaux

I first found Brenda on Etsy when I was browsing through the knitting pattern listings...my own knit and crochet patterns are really pretty basic so I don't consider myself a designer. Brenda is definitely what I consider a designer...and a pretty awesome one at that. She designs and sells knitwear, handmade home decor, knit and crochet patterns, and THE MOST amazing hand-crafted buttons I have ever seen, yes, EVER! You can find Brenda in several different places...

Phydeaux Etsy Shop
PhydeauxDesigns Etsy Shop
Phydeaux Designs Website

I am so glad that I decided to do this interview series, I am learning a lot from these lovely ladies of Etsy, 1st Interview with Nikki of BondGirlCreations26 Etsy Shop
and 2nd Interview with Gennifer of sageandmage Etsy Shop

Sooooo.....today is all about Brenda, her lovely kitties, her knitwear, buttons and patterns.

1. What is life like at your house? (husband, pets, children, etc)

Life is fairly quiet at chez phydeaux, with just me and my two kitties, Molly and Fiona. We live where the Santa Cruz mountains and Silicon Valley meet, which is a pretty amazing place. After a busy day in the rat race of the city, I get to listen to critters all night long (oh, coyotes and the like).

2. What is your morning routine?

I'm more of a night owl, but do pop out of bed, check my business and Etsy shops, get ready for my day job, feed kitties, and head out the door. :) I remind myself every single morning that the sooner I get up and go, the sooner I can come home and get to work (I work halftime right now for my day job, and then my business fulltime evenings/nights/weekends)!
(I love that she says "halftime" instead of "parttime", I've always felt that "parttime" sounds like you're not working hard....don't ask me why I think that.)

3. What hobbies do you enjoy?

Once upon a time, I loved to knit and crochet as hobbies. Luckily, I still love doing both, and really really miss them, particularly knitting, when I'm swamped with the business side of my business.

I am really trying hard to make more time for this thing I keep hearing about, "relaxing," including my other hobbies/loves: cooking, gardening, family history research, writing and reading. I have so many wonderful books to read!!! Soon. I will soon read an actual novel.

4. How did you become a designer?

I have always, always created. I cut out and hand stitched little dresses for my Malibu Barbie when I was in grade school. I knit, crocheted and embroidered as a little kid. I love to draw and paint and have done so as long as I can remember. I thought I'd be a world famous artist growing up. I took home ec classes in junior high and high school, which is finally paying off!

I seriously crocheted during my teens/20's and picked up knitting every few years, but more seriously five or 10 years ago, and super seriously in 2007, as I was deciding what kind of creative business to start. I started my little knitting business with serious, big intentions, but had no idea how much I would learn or how my business would develop. Amazing! Terrifying! And so much fun!

So, I suppose I was born an artist and ended up a designer, though the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive!

5. How did you start your etsy business?

Someone - I'm not sure who anymore - told me about this great website called "Etsy" back in 2005 or 2006. I would periodically get lost in the jewelry and plushie listings for hours. Another friend kept telling me I should sell on Etsy, but I didn't even consider it. I did finally place my first order in 2007, probably for earrings (knowing me). By the end of 2007, I was dying to do something creative, after years of working a 50+ hour/week job in university management plus completing my own college education evenings and weekends. I spent Christmas week deciding between jewelry (I made my own jewelry for years and years) or knitted scarves. I honestly thought that knitting would be less expensive - that I would spend less money on yarn and fiber than on beads and findings. Ha ha! I opened my shop in January 2008 and the rest, as they say, is history.

6. How does your creative process work…(where do you find inspiration?)

Creativity, for me, comes from just about anything. While watching a movie last week, I was suddenly mesmerized by the rich, vibrant colors in the sets and costumes, which inspired a whole new line for Fall. Yarn always inspires me - a huge knitting expo like Stitches West is one big inspiration-fest!

I'm also inspired by texture: fiber, knitting stitches, nature (leaves, bark, the lilies in my back yard), new beads, you name it!

And my many (many, many) stitch pattern dictionaries and other sources play a huge part in all of this, particularly when I'm not feeling very inspired at all, just to get the creative juices flowing again.

But design is about form and function. Most of what I do ends up being about problem solving. I may work out the technical issues behind a new design for months prior to actually finally creating a working prototype that I don't hate. Or revisit a design after picking up a new technique or skill in order to improve it!

7. What one thing do you keep close to you at all times?

What a great question! I suppose the true answer is ... my eyeglasses, which I have to wear during all waking hours (being blind as a bat!). When at home, the answer is also my trusty laptop, which I use in some form nearly all day! Or yarn ... I'm surrounded by more yarn than I can probably knit up!

8. Since starting your etsy store, what one thing are you most proud of?

Oh gosh, I knew NOTHING when I first decided to open my Etsy shop. Nothing! I'm rather proud of every bit of hard won knowledge I've mastered! But the most unexpected accomplishment, I think, is the development of my knitting pattern business. First because it's so not what I started out to do, second because I was never able to follow patterns myself, so being able to write them is pretty big for me! I was pretty excited to write patterns for scarves and cowls and now I'm pretty blown away when I write a pattern for a lace shawlette!

9. What is one thing you would do differently (in your etsy business)

Another great question! More time acting, less time analyzing. I am easily frozen by analysis paralysis, researching things to death, rather than just DOING things. This year, I'm working on making things happen rather than planning how to make things happen.

10. Is there anything new you have an idea for or are currently working on to add to your etsy store in the future?

Yes! Several new things! Which I wish I could tell you about! I can't imagine doing the same thing over and over forever. Or five years. I started out knitting super easy scarves, using the most beautiful yarns I could find. Now I'm also creating knitting patterns, making buttons and ornaments, and knitting lace shawlettes. The sky is the limit - I love testing that limit!
(If you want to keep an eye on what Brenda has in the works, you can follow her website like I do)

11. Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny? (why)

Bugs, all the way. I grew up with both Bugs and Mickey, but think about the best Bugs Bunny episodes! The wonderful red furry monster with the black sneakers. The Wagnerian opera with Elmer Fudd signing "kill the wabbit" to the Ride of the Valkyries. Bugs Bunny is pure win.

12. Handmade vs Manufactured (your thoughts)

Both. I know, I know, the PC answer is probably "handmade." However, not everything is practical (or possible) handmade. I've worked in medicine for more than 20 years - the technologies and science that save millions of peoples' lives every year are often based on natural or handmade sources; however, massive deployment does require manufacturing. Not just for medicines, but for syringes, IV tubing, imaging equipment, you name it.

I'd prefer to see more responsible and ethical manufacturing. I do always support local agriculture in addition to handmade, vintage. I can go on and on about why you should only buy free range, organic, no hormone, etc. eggs.

And I have a huge and well loved collection of handmade earrings!


13. What is one piece of advice you'd give to other women who are fortunate not to have to work outside the home?

I do work part time outside of my home (California is expensive!), but love love love working from home most of the time!

My top piece of advice for anyone working from home is this: work! You can spend time on forums, Twitter, playing Farmville, etc., but schedule that as a small part of your day. Spend the majority designing, making, testing, releasing. You will be amazed at how much your productive increases. Mine skyrockets every time I turn my computer off in order to crank out the work!
(Amen Brenda!)

I have to balance that with this piece of advice: have fun! You can burn out really quickly working around the clock. Take a break, go outside, breathe fresh air, go for a walk, go out for lunch, hug your spouse, play with your kids. You'll rejuvenate yourself with new energy and creativity in addition to just being happier and healthier.

What I love most about her website is that she offers advice and tutorials on knitting. As for her knitting patterns, not only are they gorgeous items to knit, but her patterns are very easy to understand, and if you have a problem, she'll walk you through it with her superior customer support.

Brenda calls this photo "Secrets"...and it really does look as though the one kitty is whispering to the other.

So Thank You Thank You to Brenda from ME...thanks for taking the time to do this interview, for providing me with lots of great knitting knowledge AND all the wonderful inspiration!!!!!

What's on my needles....

I'm starting a new series that I'll call "What's on my needles..." to show everyone what knit & crochet projects I'm currently working on. I plan to post photos, some tips and tricks I've picked up, along with mistakes and hopefully how I fix them.

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I was inspired to do this series when I realized how much I've learned from other blogs and websites. One of my favs is Brenda of phydeaux-designs.com (yes, I finally learned how to just put in the name of the link instead of you seeing the whole link! Thank you Nikki!!!!). Below is a picture of one of her handmade buttons listing in her etsy shop .

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I made one of her cowl patterns and I just know I'm gonna have to have me some of her buttons to finish it...I plan to keep it for myself!

So, on my needles today, err actually my crochet hook, is this circle afghan. I'm using an acrylic yarn from Lion Brand Homespun so that it will be machine washable (you can't imagine how hard it is to hand wash a large blanket...or maybe you can). Normally, I prefer good quality natural fibers and don't like using acrylic yarn, but in certain cases like this and some baby items I do make an exception.

***

This is my first time working a circle pattern, but I'm finding it really fun except for when the hook keeps catching little strands of the yarn it's not supposed to (sooo not fun when that happens).

I suppose that happens because the yarn is super fluffy, but the fluffiness is going to make this afghan SSSSSUUUUUPPPPPEEEEERRR soft, so I'm willing to put up with the "catching" and finish it. I can tell you that I won't be using it to crochet with anymore, but I think it will be fine for a knit pattern.

***

I did love the neutral colors, I really stink at taking pics so they don't really show the gorgeous cream, it tends to look washed out in the pics. And the brown is really a rich chocolate with a few touches or rust to give it a lovely marled look.

Afghans take me quite a while to make as I only work on them a couple hours at a time and then I have to switch to a different project so may hands don't cramp up. I'll be sure to post pics of the finished project...then it will either go into my etsy store or become a gift to give someone.

So what projects are you working on?