2013 Blog EVERY Day

So...lots of people are doing a photo a day for all of 2013. I'm going to instead challenge myself to blog at least once a day for all of 2013.

There are lots of reasons ...first of all, in order to do something well you have to practice.

One issue with this is that I do alot more than crochet so this blog is probably going to be as scattered as I am. More of a diary...with alot of crochet. Because, I do crochet alot. :) But, I have other issue (er... interests), too!

Yoga
Health
Fitness
Nutrition
Sewing (mostly fast, easy projects)
Parenting Teen and Toddler Boys
Homeschooling
Marriage
Photography and Editing Photos
Gypsys
Boho Decor
Vintage Pyrex
Mid Century Furniture
I'm all over the place! LOL

My goal for this year is to stay off of Facebook so much, pick up the hook more and satisfy my social media sweet-tooth with Instagram.

So, Happy New Year (again). May your year be full of caring, peace, authenticity, kindness, creativity, beauty and accomplishments!

Dory by Lisa Gutierez

 

I made this up last night after my swap package arrived. In my package was two skiens of BEAUTIFUL Red Heart Boutique Unforgetable in Tidal. GORGEOUS colorway. Pretty sheen to it. Worked up nicely and felt like I got alot of of the skeins.

Isn't it pretty!?

So I saw it and knew I had to get right to work finding an awesome pattern to use this yarn in. I found Dory by Lisa Gutierez. A beautiful shawl with scalloped edging. This is my first shawl. I dont consider myself a "shawl" person. It brings to mind Little House on the Prairie or mental pictures of sobbing women wrapped up in them. Kind of a downer and not terribly sexy. I have admired MANY shawls...they are amazing ways to display a gorgeous yarn or stitch. Just not for me.

But, I decided to give it a try.

Here is what came out of it. I spent all last night working on it!

But, this shawl is different. Made with this thin, lightweight yarn, with just a little shine it is more like a scarf...with shape and detailed edging. As a matter of fact I wore it tonight and it was just wrapped around my neck like a scarf.

Here is a link to the patterns website and here is a link to her pattern on ravelry. Enjoy!! If you decide to make one please send me a pic!!

I think my next yarn purchase online (can't find this in my stores) will be Red Heart Boutiques Unforgettable in Dragon Fly. LOOK at this color.

 

It would make some AMAZING fingerless gloves for springtime. Im a pushover when it comes to a royal blue that electric.

 

The rest of my swap package was really awesome, too! Books and journals and tea, oh my!

 

 

 



 



Star Dishcloth

I am SO in love with this pattern. This star dishcloth works up fast and the dishcloths are amazingly functional. Not too thick, so they dry quickly. Also, not too many holes so it doesnt feel flimsy when you use it. Two thumbs up!!!

Thank you for the pattern Janelle!

I survived Christmas Crochet!!!

I am SO excited to report that all of my Christmas orders have been filled and shipped off. I have not slept for a week. It shows.

 

The red headband is for my swap partner. :) I love rhinestone buttons.

 

I wanted to share a few of my favorites from this seasons crocheting.

 

 

So much cuteness! It was a really good season. Thanks to everyone that bought my hats. Happy Holidays. :D

 

 

 





Park Day and Christmas Crochet

Happy Holidays! We are full swing and its just lovely. :)

My husband is home on vacation this week and we are getting lots of very-needed down time.

I closed the shop to Christmas orders last night. I have kept up well but I have 25 hats to make in the next ten days and after that I am going to want to relax with some eggnog, I think. LOL I was going to ship a few a day but it soon sunk in how CRAZY that is. I am making them all...snapping some pictures and shipping them all out together. :) What was I thinking, 20 trips to the post office? *mumbles under breath*

The weather is cooling off here. Still sunny and pretty out, though. Which is nice...I cannot STAND it when it is overcast. In an effort to socialize my tot I am trying out a new moms club this morning. We are going to a park that is new to us and having snack and playtime. I will be working on a Hello Kitty hat while I am there.

Last night I bought Insanity...the workout program from Beachbody. I cannot wait for it to arrive. I got it from Amazon so it will be just two days. I will do some before/after posts. Everyone says its pretty tough. I love a good workout! My only concerns are my knees and ankles. They can get a lil stiff after a tough workout. *fingers crossed*

I hope this finds you all well! (((hugs)))
Mel

Fall Blahs

It is not even winter yet and I have the blahs. I've been feeling a little blah the last few days. Hormones and my husband is on call. So, he is working a ton. I have been eating EVERYTHING in sight. The weather is overcast and drizzling. I went to Target today and they declined my card. I came home to find there was no reason for that to have happened. I guess it was a sign...shop online.

I really need a great workout, a healthy dinner and to spend the rest of the night cuddled up with a ton of yarn. So, that is the plan. I am thinking pasta primevera with shrimp.

As far as the workout goes....I joined a gym back in June but it wasn't open yet. It finally opened last month (five months later!) and I am really not loving it. I am considering joining 24 Hour Fitness. The gym I am at is ok...but no child care and it feels really crowded with equipment. Kind of stiffling. I am hoping that I will be able to find a good deal at 24 Hour Fitness because the little guy would probably LOVE forty-five minutes with other kids a few mornings a week.

Having said that...there are some really awesome things about today.

I got my Avon order!! There is something awesome about coming home and finding boxes of Avon at your door. I got a few treasures for myself. I'll do a haul in a bit!

My little guy is LOVING ABCmouse.com. He is so smart!

...and I "think" my husband is close to getting home and might be able to stay a few hours before he is called out again! *fingers crossed*

Mel

Happy Holidays!

Already?! *collapses into chair*...when did this happen? Well, even though this year has FLOWN by I am still very, very into the holidays this year.

I have always loved the holiday season. But, the last couple of years have been a whirlwind! Marriage, moving twice (the last move was into our first house...hello epic amount of firsts), pregnancy, my first baby became a teen (gads), we began homeschooling, pregnancy and alas...a toddler. So much love. So much luck. But BOY-O-BOY did I spent the last couple of holiday seasons in a hustle.

Things are still wild around here. But, at the moment we have established a rhythm. Enough of a rhythm to settle in and start some traditions. To really "get into" the holidays more than we have the last couple of years. I looooove the holidays. So much glitter, decor, crafting, warm fluffy fun.

My goal for the holidays is one (probably pinterest inspired) craft per day! I am hoping to find a group that will share this with me. Community can really MAKE this time of year, don't you think?

Crocheting in the Etsy shop for the holidays can be overwhelming. But, I will keep it open until I feel overwhelmed. Yesterday, I made a wolf hat for a friend and I want to share how I did that.

Thank you for stopping by. Its a pleasure to see your pretty face!
Melody

Oh! I stopped by the mall today and got the baby his FIRST Santa pic ever. I know its sad...thats just how crazy the holidays were for the last few years! *deep, delighted breath*

 

 

 



And while I was there I grabbed a new lipstick! Kat Von D's Ever lasting Love Lipstick in Outlaw. I am selling Avon now (come here to like my Avon page buy from me!!) Avon has some AWESOME red lipsticks! But, I still cannot stay out of Sephora at this time of year. ALL THOSE PALETTES! I saw it and had to have it. Its the perfect red and has some severe staying power. A mommy needs tough lipstick if she has any hopes of it staying on all day.