Time Off

I had the day off, no cleaning house, working, errands, crafts,  etc....  I went to a party for a cousins graduation and spent the entire evening with friends and family! What a rejuvenation of mind and spirit to do absolutely nothing but kick back and laugh with those you love! The weather was beautiful today in East TN and the food was great. It was exactly what I needed! The Lord knows what we need at all times and he has blessed me greatly today!

This is a pic from Christmas of me and all my cousins! There's something wonderful about the love a family shares!

discouraged

I am discouraged and can't seem to get motivated! Anyone else having this problem? I can't seem to get inspired lately, I'm not sure if I'm tired or if it's something else! I am working on a new blanket and all I do is about a row or 2 a night! Which all of you know that crocheting just 1or 2 rows does not take that much time! Well God willing I will get my MOJO back soon!  Some Family photos, when I get like this I turn to my family for inspiration! And of course my dog Lucy is a family member! All of you dog lovers out there will totally understand what I mean! LOL

patterns

I have more patterns than I know what to do with them! LOL I have posted several on Etsy and I have about a hundred more to go through! I am so busy and have not had time to make anything new which makes me a little sad! I need to get started on the blankets I am making as christmas gifts and some new items to sell for fall and christmas! Time where do you go? I need more! have fun crocheting everyone!

Work, Craft, Family, Play

I have been struggling with getting a schedule down to where I can get everything done! I went back to work at a bakery and now work on average 30-35 hrs a week, plusmy house work, spending time with family, errands and shopping, and of course my crafts and computer time! There's no me time to just relax and enjoy and I am getting a little stressed and tired! Plus my disabled In-Laws home health care provider has not been providing for a week now! I need a vacation! Ok sorry to vent but I needed to get that out! I hope everyone keeps crocheting and having fun doing it, if it stops being fun quit for a while and take a break! I have and it is a good thing, but I have been keeping new items on my etsy by posting some of the pattern books I have! Spring cleaning the craft room feels great!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lucyangel

Patterns

It's been a while and I have went back to work at a bakery! I have been posting my pattern books, current and antiques on Etsy. I am decluttering and minimizing my stash! All crocheters have a stash of yarn and other supplies and I really need to simplify life right now! Here are some of the books I have!

clutches

I made this clutch out of scrap yarn! Working 1 piece including handles and sewing it together down the sides, adding flower embellishments on top and sewing a matching cotton liner inside! I think it turned out so cute! I love the color scheme, and the pattern could be altered to match any color scheme and for any occasion! It was fun to make and a easy pattern for most anyone to crochet! Have fun with what you crochet and it will show in your work!

Church Craft Fair

Pictures of my table at the craft fair! There were not very many people coming through, which was a little sad not just for me but also for the kids trying to raise money for their misson and the 30 other crafters there! I am glad to give to the kids, but if you are just looking to make money church fairs probably are not the way to go!

cross stitch

I have been working on some crosss stitch bookmarks for easter and I really am enjoying the change! Sometimes we need to change things up for a few days or maybe even a few weeks and in the craft world that could be an endless amount of possibilities! Just in one craft you can change up, like crochet change to a different style or pattern, cross stitch, knit, sew, or go away from fiber all together and do something completely different like paint, bead, draw, card making, scrapbooking, etc... so I guess my point is if you are a crafter you should never get bored! haha Throw in everything else you have to do through out the day and we will stay busy all day everyday! Changing the subject these bad rain storms have tore up some of the shingles on the house and my husband and I will be out on the roof fixing them today so probably want be much crafting going on!

Spring Crochet

Here are a few of the items I have made for spring! I really like to make purses this time of year because you can be so creative, and it is something that people will buy in the spring and summer! I am going to have them at the craft fair on saturday! I hand stitch the lining in so it is attached to the inside only! I do this by going through the back side of the stitch only, which creates a cleaner edge I believe! It is beautiful here in TN today and I love to go to the park and walk my baby(Lucy, Boxer/German Shepard mix)! It gives me time to think and meditate and I come up with new ideas when I am able to clear my head of all the junk! Like trying to decide if I am going back to work or not! I didn't go sign up for the CNA classes because I am still not sure! This is definitely a hard decision for me! Have a wonderful day!

Craft fairs

Craft fairs are somewhat new to me I have done a few, but its hard to choose which ones to go to! There's booth price, having to provide table and chairs, having enough items made up, getting everything there and back, set up and take down, change drawer; all these hings have to be done and you have to have money for the booth, equipment, supplies, change, etc... If you go it alone how do you take a bathroom or lunch break? These are a few of the things to think about when you do a craft fair! I am doing one saturday and I hope it goes really well, it is for a church youth group, I will post pictures and let you know how it goes! I am excited, nervous, a little scared, and anxious about the whole thing! It can be a great day for everyone, I just hope the rain stays away!  

new project, Dog Leash

This Stylish Dog Leash is Green trimmed in Hot Pink, and perfect for Spring and Summer! With comfort for your wrist and sturdy enough to hold! Inspired by my 62 LBS Boxer/German Shepard dog Lucy! This design has been tested and tried and works great for any size dog up to 65LBS!

Made with Red Heart Yarn and metal Latch! Latch and handle machine sewn!

Size: Length= 3'11"
Width= 1"
Latch= 5/8" 90LBS Load Limit
Handle= 5 1/2"

The sitch is just a basic single crochet repeated until desired length is achieved and then single crochet in a contrasting color around edge, fold 1 end over and sew down for handle, sew other end down over latch and you have a leash!

stormy days

It is a stormy week, not just the weather outside, but inside as well! I've decided to go back to school and get a public job again! My dilemma is that I love being a housewife and working on all my craft projects! Financially it is better for my family if I work as well! I am going to be a CNA and I do like working with people and helping them so I believe that will make me happy, however, I do not want to give up my craft business either! So I have to figure out a way to do both as well as everything else I already do; cook, clean, budget, pay bills, keep up with all appointments, take care of disabled In-Laws etc...  I know most of you out there understand what I'm talking about! God help me with this new chapter in my life to be strong and at peace!

Spring is here!

I love spring and all the beauty it brings! I also look for new crochet patterns and ideas for spring and summer! It is a craft that many believe to be only for fall and  winter. I have found many beautiful patterns that are great for spring! I know a lot of us try to make lots of our christmas gifts this time of year, but I want to see the bright yellows, pinks, reds, blues, etc... come to life in my work!

patterns; Are you a writer or follower!

I have tried to write patterns in the past and failed, learning from our mistakes makes us better crafters! I wrote a pattern for a dog leash, it is simple and would be great for beginners! I can follow a pattern fairly well, but this certainly challenged me! I would advise any seasoned crocheter to take that next step! I love challenges and doing new things, so for me I need a new project going all the time! How many of you out there are the same way! My husband say's if I don't have 10 things to do at a time I wouldn't know what to do with myself!
                                                        Basic Stitches:
1.     BASIC DOUBLE CROCHET              
Any # of stitches (add 1 for Base Chain)
1st row=Miss 2 ch (count as 1 double crochet), 1dc into next and each ch to end, turn.
2nd row=1ch (counts as 1dc), miss 1 st, 1dc into next and each st to end working last stitch into tch, turn.
rep. 2nd row until desired length is reached


Hint: In some patterns the turning ch does not count as a stitch when working dc. In these cases the 1st dc is worked into the 2nd ch from hook on the 1st row, and thereafter into the 1st dc of the previous row.

Tribute to Grandma!

Good Afternoon, I need advice on this flower! I posted this to my Etsy, recently I added others like it as well, but I haven't had many looks! I know if a lot of people aren't looking its not as popular as other items! The thing is, I'm emotionally attached to these flowers, because my grandmother (who is passed away) not only taught me how to crochet, she left me her supply of needles, yarn, lace, buttons, etc... and the centers of the flowers are made of buttons and beads she gave me!  I created the flower as a tribute to her. My questions; Should I make any more and post them? The ones I have, can I add to them and make them more appealing?  (This may be one of those items that was made just for me, if so I believe I will wear them on Easter, Mother's Day, etc.. for her, I know she would have loved them.)

A New Life!

I quit my public job about a year ago to take care of my disabled In-Laws and decided to try and sell some of the crafts I make while I was not working! I am now trying to make a business out of doing what I love! I don't know if I make it  hard or if it is just hard to start a business, however I love it! My goal is to make a new item and post it every week for 8 weeks! Every week I will blog about my progress, the designs/patterns I am creating, and what it takes to make each new piece!