Top 3 Picks of the Week

It was hard to choose only 3 this week. Sometimes you get started on Etsy and there are just so many good items to choose from! (in no particular order)

This is an awesome Octopus wall decal made by beepart. The octopus is my favorite invertebrate and I feel I am drawn to them.

This would go well with my pig tail keychain holder. Perfect for leashes or coats, every dog lover should own. Made by ARottaLovePlus.

All I can say is I love this necklace. Made by AUNALIArtisanMetal.

There we have it. So far I have only broken down and purchased 1 of my featured items. A purse from jhfabriccreations. It's beautiful and easily used on a daily basis. We'll see how long I last for the other items. :)

Day 4

Whatever happened to...

...the very first hat I knitted in 2003. I made it during finals week sophomore year at JMU. I have been wearing this hat since actually! I have managed not to lose it for once! And until just recently making a Blue hat with a yellow rose I wore it consistently and it has been amazing. I also have managed to keep it clean which is amazing and never really needed to wash it. In fact, it is the picture I use for my etsy profile, me and Richard apple picking and I wore my awesome hat.

As for the first scarf I knitted Richard. That is around here somewhere but was so warn out I made him a new one. I had him pick out the color and everything. I made it to be nice and thick like he wanted. I think he's warn the new one twice! Apparently there's just something about the original. I make myself feel better because he doesn't really wear warm clothing often. In fact, this winter we walked 2 miles home from the dentist in the snow because traffic was so horrible. He was wearing shorts and a long sleeve thin button up shirt (his normal attire) and aside from being wet and not feeling his calves much he said shorts were better than pants because it didn't sit with ice on your legs. I do believe the first scarf I made was softer and I made it when we were first dating before he went on a trip which was in the cold mountains so he got it nice and comfy right away.

Organization

Although in my head I like to be organized I find in my life it does not usually turn out that way. I come up with a new way for organizing many things whether it's my closet or my desk and inevitably in a month it is back to the dismal stage of complete chaos.

Recently I have found the easiest way to organize my yarn and supplies for how I'm functioning at the moment as follows. Right now I am doing a lot of crocheting in front of the TV and computer so although my craft room is where I keep most of my supplies my most used items are now downstairs in the living room. The thin yarns that I don't use as frequently or are not currently intended for a project I have stashed away upstairs in the craft room. Along with the knitting needles I inherited from my Nana when my mom cleaned out her craft room.

As for the currently in use supply I have 2 Trader Joes bags stashed behind the couch. One has never used skeins and the other has partially used skeins. There is also a smaller brown paper sac with my scrap pieces of yarn (only several inches) which I someday home to use as stuffing for other stuffed animal projects. Next I have a box on our organizing shelves that will someday go in their rightful place in the kitchen. For now it is in the living room. One cubby has a box that holds finished hats in the back that are for sale on etsy and in the front are the most used skeins or at least I plan on using them next. The order in which I do my projects changes frequently. I also have another box that holds my jewelry supplies and buttons and the smaller bows and such hat are finished.

While I know where things are mostly I would not say that it is organized well but that it is working for the moment. I find it best (from the organization for those with ADD book) not to be the most organized possible but to make it easiest for me to put things in a designated place. If I have to walk upstairs to my craft room to put it away I'm likely to leave it somewhere out and annoying but if I have a designated place in the room I'm working in most I will likely put it where it goes eventually.

Day 2: This time last year...

As of this time last year I was not able to read patterns, almost at all. I did not really crochet much. I had made several scarves (5 total) and that's about it. I only knew how to single crochet. Since December I have made a huge improvement. I learned to make a simple beanie thanks to the help from my mom!

I then learned how to change colors midway (sorry no picture here). Then I learned what a double-crochet and a triple-crochet were and how to use them to make a wavy edge.

I learned how to make a triangle type edge and how to make a rose.

 I then was able to do a V-stitch hat and a brimmed hat.

I followed a pattern for a bow (thanks to Creative Me for the pattern) and then made one of my own with a button.

I feel like in just a couple months I have come a long way. My next project is to learn how to do granny squares for my new apron (as seen on Tangled Happy's blog). I am looking forward to adding that to my repertoire.

A Tale of Two Yarns

Today's topic is yarn choice. I have only been crocheting or knitting since 2003 and only more intensely in the last 6 months. In what I consider a short period of time, I have quickly discovered what yarns I prefer. I feel like yarn choice is as individual as drink choice. Some people just drink Coke products and there's nothing else out there that will change their minds.

I find when I'm first starting a new pattern I need a yarn that is easy to count stitches with. The furry yarns or loose yarns I find make it difficult to see where your stitches are and until I am comfortable with the pattern I find I am less frustrated if it's easily counted. I also prefer bulky yarn. This may be because my patience is lacking and I like to get done with the finished product faster. If money were no object (this is just from my experience at common craft stores) I prefer the very thick Lion Brand Wool-Ease yarn. It is soft and very thick and turns out very warm as well.

If money is an object I have found a good compromise between the very thin yarn and the thickest to be the Lion Brand Charisma. It is also soft and warm but does not take quite as long as the very thin yarn.

I find that my least favorite in general are the very furry yarns. They are very fun and soft but I am easily frustrated by the challenge of counting and finding stitches. I save these types of yarn for my very favorite pattern or person to create for as in general it tries my patience.

Top 3 picks of the week

I have tried to pick 3 craft items that were in different categories for me. I tend to head straight to jewelry and bags so I tried to expand my views this week. Please note they are in no particular order.

This is handmade soap from "Soap Garden" that not only seems to smell amazing but looks beautiful too.
Honeysuckle rain goat's milk soap

This fun addition to an Ipad is made by "MacStikerz" and although I don't have an Ipad if I did I would totally need this Pacman Decal.

This red tunic by "teclur" is adorable and I would love to add it to my wardrobe.