Happy New Year!!

Where has the time gone. I wish everyone a Happy New Year.  Let's try to make this one a good year and focus on being kind to all and being less selfish, especially while behind the wheel of a car. LOL.

I got myself a round loom kit this year with a gift card from Michaels.  I tried the straight loom this last month and found it addictive and easy.  So I started a hat and even learned two different style stitches thanks to You Tube, one being a purl stitch.  So far here's my progress.

I also joined a CAL (crochet a long) on Ravelry for a square a month.  My intention this year is to make another blanket for single bed.  I found doing the ripple takes more time and hoping that by making the squares and joining them will result in a blanket faster as I am such a patient person, not.  I was checking my blog roll on Bloglovin and came across this granny a day post on Ali's Blog.  My best intention will be to try and do a square a day but somehow life may not always permit it and can try for a few or more a week.  I had already started some small squares, so I guess I can continue with that.

I am also working on a project for myself where I came across the idea on Pinterest.  This site creates some serious addiction problems.  More to come upon completion.

I would like to eventually post a mosaic of all my projects this year.  Maybe tomorrow.

Baby Ripple Blanket

Finally done! I managed to finish the edging over the holidays.  For such a small blanket, it sure is warm.  Now I have to make one for the single bed.  Sadly, probably won't but may do a granny blanket as they seem to get done faster.  We'll see.  So here it is.

According to my ravelry post I started in Sept.  I got side tracked with some Christmas projects and hats. I also made a small mandala pot holder a la  Crochet with Raymond style.  

Now what to do next.....

Merry Christmas

I would just like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and Best Wishes in the New Year!!  It's a lovely eve night and having a glass of wine an watching one of my favourite episodes of Mr. Bean.  

I love my banister with the garland and lights at night.

And today, I managed quite a bit of progress on my ripple baby blanket. 

X-mas project complete

I had been making various shapes for a Christmas swag I wanted to make for myself.  After making one for Carissa for the handmade swap, I loved it and had to have one to hang up in the house.  I started with snowflakes and tried the granny stars and tree.  Then I came upon Lucy's Holly Leaves from Attic24 blog and had to give that a try as well.  I also added some buttons the I found at Michael's that were just festive enough to enhance the whole look.  What do you think?

Another decor item I got for the home at Michael's when they had their big coupon sale last month was another cute snowman to add to my collection.  How can you not love soft puffy snowmen?

Other projects, well, still have to complete a christmas coloured crocheted hat, a shrug, baby blanket, grannies.  And the list goes on.  But the cat is ready for Xmas

I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas and New Years!!!

Looming

I finally decided to try out my loom to get a scarf made for a gift. This is my first time using one. I watched mikeysmail you tube video to learn how to get it started. Chunky yarns are suggested giving the spaces between pegs are quite wide. This is all in one day. Maybe just a bit more to go until second ball of yarn is done.

Bloglovin

I don't know what I would do without the most useful site to blog readers, Bloglovin. Follow my blog with Bloglovin Just make yourself a sign up.  Add the blogs you love to read, you can even categorize them, and  when you log onto the site it shows all the new posts.  I also have the app on my Android.

WIP, mini stockings from Sucrette's site Le Monde De Sucrette and a swag for myself of snowflakes stars trees and maybe some holly.  Started a Christmas hat as well.  I will post pics soon when they're all done.  I did finish a stocking and it turned out a bit larger than Sucrette's.  I guess I should have remembered her pattern was in UK terms and started doing DC instead of the SC.  This was my first one.

      Thank god it's Friday and hopefully I can get more crochet done.  Oh, just remember I have to get baking done too.  Oh well, extra pair of arms please Santa.

     Added, here is my second attempt.  Much better.

December flies....

This week I received my swap package from my partner Carissa in BC from the Handmade Gift Exchange.  I really liked this swap.  So far I had only participated in crochet/knit swaps.  But it is nice to enjoy other types of craft work.  This is what I received.  Love the earrings, she has her own Etsy shop.  Check out her blog link on right side bar.

I especially love the tea bag holder with the Tim Horton's tea's.  For those not in Canada, Tim Horton's is our major coffee chain.  I do believe drinking Tim's is a new Canadian tradition, next to hockey.  

Other things this week.  Keep Calm and Crochet items from Etsy. Print and keychain.  I made a few snowflake ring ornaments for gifts.  

I also got a chance to finish painting my ceramic christmas tree.  I sent a similar smaller one to Carissa for her swap gift.

It looks great with my other ceramics and Christmas decor items.

I also had joined another swap on Ravelry in my Swap/One group.  A sweets swap.  I sent that package of chocolatey goodness out today.  

Baby gifting and more

     So my friend's shower was yesterday and had been working on the Baby Ripple Blanket but I just couldn't get it done on time.  At first it was going to be in January but was moved to first weekend in December.  Anyway, I tried. Unfortunately I am a multi-tasker with ADD as I always say and tend to do other projects.  Here is the progress so far on the blanket.

I plan on doing a border once it's done to length. So I wanted to at least show up with something.  She knew about the blanket anyway.  So I whipped these up in a day & a half.  I got the pattern from Mamachee's blog.  Granny square baby booties.  

They were fairly easy to make.  Just have some buttons on hand.  And yesterday I also started for her a baby hat.  I was even still crocheting it at the Santa parade prior to going to the shower.

I also browse my favourite blogs and come across the flower shawls.  I started the Japanese flower shawl from Attic24 blog like last year.  Summer came and progress slowed as I knew it would be too warm to wear it.  I ended up crocheting flip flops.

But I will get to finish the shawl this winter, it's nearly there.  Just a bit longer.