Crochet Flower Pins

The art show started at work this week and as per tradition, I made a lapel flower for all of the art committee gals to wear. 

This year I decided to use a crochet flower pattern put together by Lucy of Attic 24.

The pattern is fantastic to follow and makes the darn cutest flowers!!  Plus, you may be able to tell, that I had a lot of fun with all the different colors of yarn!

As they each picked their flowers it was often tough for them to decide what there favorite was.  I don't blame them.  I wanted to keep them all!

Art show week is a ton of work, but oh so worth it.  To see people I work with mingling, smiling, and enjoying each other's work really warms my heart! 

Here are a few posts I did about the previous year's work art shows: the scrappy flower pins I made last year, ArtFest 2011, ArtFest 2010.

And I am also giving a confetti quilting demo over a few lunches this week.  I hauled my sewing machine in with me and it should be interesting to sew in front of other people; not something I have ever done before.  I also have to laugh at the thought of using the sewing machine with pumps on.  I may have to kick my shoes off to be able to feel the pedal.

Wish me luck!

My Big Huge Weekend Recap

I have found myself lately with a lot of three day weekends.  And it's been wonderful!!  This weekend was no exception.  I also have to admit that I find myself ignoring the computer as much as possible over these long weekends (looking forward to catching up with you and your blogs!).

So, what do I do with all this free time?  I have no clue.  It always seems to go by too quickly, but thank goodness for digital cameras to catch glimpses of the excitement. 

I feel like this is my book report on what I did this weekend...

I finished the last of the flowers on my crewel project and worked on the borders.  I can't wait to show you more of this tomorrow... because yes! I finished this and even made it in to a pillow!!!

I am finally working on rehabbing an old sewing table I was given.  I'll give you more of the back story another day, but here I cleaned it, primed it, and yes... I have even painted it a bright inspiring color!!  More to come in this saga!

 I changed out the old dingy and puppy chewed laces on my kicks.  Loving the bright party blue!!

I went to the Sheep and Wool Festival.  Bonus, was getting to share it with my mom and sister (in love).  It was awesome!!

I got to see a baby kangaroo

I loved this picture of a llama decked out with feathers.

I got up close and personal with sheep, goats, llamas, and even alpacas!!  You haven't lived until you have pet an alpaca!!!

I was inspired by a sea of deep amazing colors in every direction!  It was a place to really touch your way through... I've never felt so much soft yarn in one place.

I came home with a few goodies for myself.  A few green and brown wools to work into my fiber art piece. 

And I picked up some baby alpaca wool and am working it into a nice long and soft scarf for myself.  I am loosely following this project, but am thinking more scarf than shrug.

And there you have it.  Things I didn't grab shots of.... Cold Stone ice cream in cake batter flavor, an amazing steak cooked up by my very own Mr. Happy, puppy wrangling -- Sammy gets her stitches out this week, bathroom remodeling, and goodness knows I'm forgetting probably a ton of other things.

I guess this could also be called my Big Huge Teaser Post... since I have so much more to show you on most of these projects.  

Hope you are off to a great start this week!! 

Crochet Leaf Garland

I'm getting a little seasonal over here!!  With all the rain we've been having, I'm finding ways to keep my hands busy.  Enter crocheted leaves!!  I found the pattern here at Craftstylish and using bits and pieces of yarn I got to work.

My little shadow, Sammy, is always interested in what I'm doing. 

"Hello Mum... can you show me how to crochet a leaf?  I promise not to eat the yarn this time."

"What do you mean I need thumbs to crochet?  Can't I try anyhow?  Why, I'll just hold the yarn in my mouth."

Katie was present, but was a lot more interested in the squirrels and chipmunks movements.  As the weather is getting more chilly... they seem to be moving around more finishing their winter preparations.

I had spent the last two weeks making up a leaf here and there.  Today was the day to link them all together into a garland of seasonal goodness!

I went to tug at my yarn only to find this stinker had laid down on my yarn.  See the yarn dangling by her left ear?

Lots of leaves in my lap!  And do you see that?  We had sunshine this weekend!  I was glued to it!!

All linked together (and wow, those colors are washed out).  I'm loving the combination of rust, orange, yellow, green, red, and tan.  Awesome!!

Katie doesn't seem thrilled to model my garland, but I promise you it brings out her eyes!  It's all the rage in dog fashions this fall!

And here it is up on the fireplace.  Ignore my less than clean mantle with no decor.

Yup, cute... simple.  Warming.  Fun contrast of yarn against the brick.

And do you know what the mister said when he saw it?  He said I need more -- and I totally agree!  More strands of leaves to be exact.  I'm excited to make a bunch more.  They are quick and easy to do! 

Here is the pattern from Craftstylish incase this inspires you to break out your hook and make a few!

Leaf Pattern

Yarn and Hook: any yarn weight with a hook that corresponds to that weight.  {I used worsted yarn -- since that's what I had in bits laying around and an E hook, I believe}

Round 1: Ch 4, 11 dc in 4th ch from hook, join with a sl st to top of beginning ch—12 dc.

Round 2: Ch 6, sl st in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), dc in first st, 2 dc in each of next 2 sts, (dc, ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 3 chs to form stem, dc) in next st, 2 dc in each of next 2 sts, (dc, picot, dc ) in next st; (sc, hdc) in next st, (dc, picot, sc) in next st, (hdc, dc, tr, picot, tr, dc, hdc) in next st, (sc, picot, dc) in next st, (hdc, sc) in last st, join with a sl st to 3rd ch of round.
Fasten off and weave in the ends.

A big thank you to Linda who created this pattern!!  You can also see her website here.

Ten Day {It's Raining, It's Pouring}

It's still raining.  Which means the lighting hasn't been great for working on projects or taking photos of them for that matter.  So, I leave you with ten recent snaps from my camera... while I work on shaking off this funk.

Happy Moment #17: I *heart* You!

A Friday ritual with Soulemama.  A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary, happy moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments too!

“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”

~Omar Khayyam 

Crochet Hearts on a String

Yes, I also dabble with crochet.  I needed project I could tuck in my bag, work on for a few minutes at a time, and not feel guilty ignoring.  Voila... crochet hearts!! 

Do you read Design*Sponge?  I saw this post with instructions on how to create a cute heart garland!!  Fun right?

I used the Sugar and Cream brand yarn... one with lots of colors... some pink which you would expect, but I like the touch of fern green and charcoal!

I finished off one ball of yarn in about two days and those little hearts have brought peace and harmony to my hands and mind.  Can't think of woes whilst counting rows!

I haven't quite decided how many hearts I will put on a string... maybe lucky seven sounds right?

And I couldn't resist making a few from this pink, brown, and magenta baby yarn.  These are so soft!! 

I may make a few garlands to gift... or how cute would one of these be on a small gift box... or on a ribbon wrapped around a bunch of flowers?  I think you could even make them into a fabric note card!

Here's to busy hands to settle busy minds.

And to sending a little love your way.  XOXO