Playing Catch-up...

Hello all!  I hope everyone has had a good week.

I am playing catch-up in today's post.  These are Christmas presents I made and gave last month.  Short, quick, totally-enjoyable-to-make presents.  You can also see them on my Ravelry Projects page.  I am ReneeSpear401 on Ravelry.



I made skinny scarves for two teen girls -- my niece and my son's girlfriend.  The first is One Skein Scarf from the book, "The Happy Hooker".  You can get the pattern here.  Mine is the Paton's version.

The other scarf is My Dream Scarf with Fringe.  Also found on Ravelry, here.  I have discovered I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE making skinny scarves.  They are fast, fun, and done in one evening.  Perfect!

Several other family members received the easiest of all -- garlands, buntings, hangie thingies, whatever you want to call those things!

Crocheted Hearts Garland, on Ravelry.  Easy peasy!

Christmas Garlands #1, #2, #3.  I think I was looking for the quickest-ever garland to make.  It seemed to be a toss-up.

Ellen Bloom's Stars.

Five Point Motif.

Grandma Tree by the Royal Sisters.

And last, but not least:  homemade chocolate-covered peanut clusters -- for everyone on the list.  (Yeah, I could have used a few more peanuts.  These were the end of the batch of about 150+ clusters.)

There, that's done!  I've been meaning to post these FO's since just after Christmas.

Here's wishing you a fun and safe weekend!

Renee  :)

More, More, More...

Ah, yes.  Am I over committing myself?  I wonder...  

A Song of Ice and Fire Reading Challenge (aka Game of Thrones) -- see also my sidebar for the link.  The first step here is to find my books.  We moved six months ago, how time flies!

A friendly granny square swap now on its second square, over at Debi's blog, Dly's Hooks and Yarns.

A Round Ripple Crochet-A-Long with Pammy Sue.  She has a Flickr group to post pictures, progress, tips, and hints (I also have a link in my sidebar).  There is an option of a pattern from Crochet World, December 2011 issue; or a free similar pattern (link listed in the discussion thread on Flickr).  If you don't know Pammy Sue, you must read her stuff; she will crack you up.  Her blog is Scotty's Place.

Then there is Share-a-Square.  The last deadline is coming up.  I want to send 50 squares come February 1st.  I have 15 made; anyway groups of 10 if I don't make it to 50.

When do WIPs (works in progress) become UOs (unfinished objects)?  I have a blanket for my husband (not blogged about previously).  There's my sister's Christmas present from 2 Christmases and my first post ago.  And that Christmas garland which should be properly called Winter Garland (which we don't seem to be having anyway).  If I sit here long enough I am sure to come up with more things. 

Oh, I know... I have a great nephew who will be born in probably April and I want to make an afghan for him.  Perhaps that Round Ripple if I can find the right colors and right yarn out of my stash.

Anyway, I need a plan if I'm going to accomplish all this.  First and second are Share-a-Square and Debi's swap while going through my stash for the Round Ripple.  Maybe then the Winter Garland which just needs the hanging string or whatever you call it; I think I will style mine after Lucy's Jolly Festive Bunting.  And, and, and...

Gotta find those books!

Have a good rest of the day...
Renee  :)

P.S.  Oh, and I need to show you the Christmas presents I made and give last month.
P.P.S.  I don't remember where I got the photo from, but it sure seems to fit me today!

A New Square and How we Blog...

I am participating in a friendly Granny Square swap over at Debi's blog, Dly's Hooks and Yarns.   I received Debi's square in yesterday's mail.  Man, I am going to have to participate in more swaps; I LOVE getting this type of mail!  The square (from my last post) I made for Debi is winging its way to her as I write. 

I am not into variegated yarns too much, but the colors in this one are some of my favorites -- green especially.  Purple, too.  And she  included a packet of coordinating buttons, with a cute little note.  I know my photo is a bit fuzzy.  Blur reduction was "on", too.  Oh, well.  Thank you, Debi.  I can't wait til the next swap.

Just wanted to show you my blogging partner; her name is Cassie.  We've had her almost a year and a half now.  She was a rescue dog from our local shelter.  The closest we can come to her ancestry is part Huskie and part yellow Lab.  I don't know if you can tell, but she's a mama's girl.




Onto one of my Christmas WIPs.  Here are photos of snowflakes and icicles for a garland to hang here at home.  The snowflakes are all from different sources; the icicles are coincidentally from Debi's blog.  10 minutes if you're a slow crocheter is all it takes to make an icicle from her pattern.  Easy peasy.

Because all I wanted to accomplish was to stretch the snowflakes and icicles, I did a wet blocking .  As they are made from worsted weight yarn (Red Heart Super Saver), they will not hold a blocking without steam. 

I took a loose interpretation of "snowflake" when I was searching out patterns.  I couldn't pick too intricate a pattern; the yarn wouldn't accommodate fine details.  So I guess I am just calling it a "Christmas" garland.

I hope everyone is having a good week.  Stay busy!

Renee  :)

Spring Garlands...

Ah, yes.  Spring has sprung.  Finally!  And some more work out of my stash.  A couple of Spring Garlands using the now-famous Japanese Flower pattern featured here on Lucy's post.  They are so quick and easy to do, even with color changes.  The small flowers and leaves are also from a Japanese pattern book.  But my copy of the pattern is from a photocopy.  I cannot find the particular book although I have looked through a LOT of books.  And drooled a lot, too!  The Japanese crochet books are sooo lovely; printed very nicely featuring wonderful patterns!

UPDATE:  Joining in Kootoyoo's Creative Spaces today...