Vintage Stripe...

I first posted about my vintage stripe here. Well, this is what it looks like today...

I think I am getting close to finishing it. I love working on it because it covers me so nicely, keeping me warm...

I am going to do a large edging on it but I am still thinking about how I want to create it. I have a few favorite ideas from this book...

Today we are enjoying some rain. There was a 90% chance of it, but when I woke up to go to church this morning and there wasn't a cloud in sight, I had my doubts. Hoping you are having a restful and blessed sunday.

{hugs}

Laura

New books and a New Project...

I love to read and I have recently acquired some new books from my local book store and from the book fair we had last week at school where I teach. I can't wait to read them.

I am currently reading two books. Dragonfly In Amber is the second book in a series by Diana Gabaldon. I read the first book, Outlander, back in February. This one is just as good and it's borrowed from the library. Gotta love the library...

I Still Believe is the story of Jeremy Camp. He is a Christian singer/artist and this book tells his life story. I love his music. My friend Penny let me borrow it and it has been very interesting so far. God has really used Jeremy's life in a remarkable way. 

I love finding new crochet patterns. Sometimes, instead of printing them out I write them down on a scrap piece of paper. This is a pattern I found on Lion Brand for a wash cloth.

I am working on a new project...

And, we are finally using a crochet wash cloth for the dishes. Well, I should say the kids are... So far it's been hard for them to get use to because they have only used a sponge with a scrubby side up until now.

Now for a little "mom bragging".  My son, who is a high school junior, runs for the varsity track team. In yesterdays track meet he ran the 800 meter in 2 minutes 5 seconds, coming in first place and creating a new personal best for himself. My daughter, who is a high school freshman, is on the pole vault team and will be at her very first track meet next thursday.  So proud of my kids... 

{hugs}

Laura

Happy St. Patricks Day...

I found this cute clover at Tangled Happy yesterday. It was designed by LilySong and can be found on Ravelry. It was so easy to make. I used some cotton yarn for this one but I know it would look really cute in a soft dark green yarn as well.

{hugs}
Laura

A Back And A Face Washer...

I have been wanting to do this for a while, crochet a back washer. I also made a little face washer. I used Sugar and Cream cotton yarn in Ecur. I can't wait to use these.

{hugs}
Laura

The Hat...

Well, I finally finished the hat for my daughter. You can read about it here and here. I found the pattern on Ravelry and fell in love with it. Everything went great until I got to the band of the hat. While the hat is done in crochet, the band was knitted with a circular needle. I just could not get it. Frustrated, I put it away. I had to figure out a way to crochet the band. Well, after looking at many crocheted hat patterns I decided to do a single crochet in the back loop only. I think it turned out well. And, my daughter loves it.

{hugs}
Laura

Liebster Award...

The Liebster Award is given to blogs with less than 200 followers to promote awareness for their blogs. I was chosen by Hannah at Handmade by Hannah to receive this award. Thank you Hannah.

I check out many blogs on a daily basis for ideas and inspiration and really enjoy looking at the following blogs. I have chosen them to receive the Liebster Award.

Crochet24

Tipsy Tessie

Prettee Craftee

Jen's Hooky Place

The Hook Brings You Back

Okay bloggers, here is your chance to recognize some of your favorite blogs. Just show thanks to the blog who gave you the award by linking back to them, choose five of your favorite "up and coming" blogs to give the award too, letting them know about the award by commenting about it on their blog and then blog about it on your blog, just as I have done.

What a great way to let the world know that we are here...

{hugs}
Laura

Shell Pattern...

If you remember, for Christmas I made this scarf for my step-mom.

Well, I have had a few people ask me about the pattern. My friend Lisa found the pattern, which was free, on a website a while ago. I have searched for it and have not been able to find it. So, I decided to share it with you myself. Please remember, this is not my design or pattern. 

The pattern is pretty simple. You start with a foundation chain of 25. In the fourth chain from the hook you are going to hook one double crochet, chain two and then hook a single crochet, the first three foundation chains count as your first double crochet. Then you will skip two chains and in the next (third) chain you will hook two double crochets, chain two and then hook a single crochet. Then, skip another two chains and hook 2 dc, 2 ch, 1 sc. You end up with 8 "shells" across your foundation chain of 25. At the end of your first row you are going to chain 2 and turn. You will now repeat the "shell" stitch pattern (2 dc, 2 ch, 1 sc) 8 times across hooking each "shell" in the chain two space. Now, just repeat your rows until your scarf is the desired length. I made this one the length of my arms, finger tip to finger tip. Then, to get a nice scalloped edge along the other side of my foundation chain, I just hooked 8 "shells' to the flat side of it.

Foundation chain of 25. It helps me to hook them a little looser than normal. 

In the fourth chain from your hook, double crochet,

chain two and single crochet.

Skip two foundation chain stitches and then in the next (or third) chain, hook two double crochets, chain two, and then single crochet, repeating to the end of your foundation chain.

This is what your first row will look like.

Chain two and turn. Do you see the chain two space in the last "shell" you made? In that space you will...

hook two double crochets, two chains and one single crochet.

After finishing your second row, your scarf should look like.

Now, chain two and turn. Repeat the "shell" pattern (2 dc, 2 ch, 1 sc) in each chain two space across to the other side.

The first finished "shell" of the third row. I love the scalloped edge you get with this pattern...

This is three rows finished with three "shells' of the fourth row.

It really goes by very quickly. I made the scarf for my step-mom with Red Heart Soft. I used Loops and Threads Impeccable for the tutorial above. You will love this pattern.

{hugs}
Laura

Flower Dish Cloths...

On Pinterest, I found a pretty picture of flower dish clothes. Happy to see that there was a link to the pattern, I grabbed some cotton yarn and hooked up a few. I love the way they turned out and can't wait to make more.

Here is the pattern. It was really easy and quick to do.

****Edited to add on 7-6-2012 - the above pattern is no longer there. Please try this link to get the pattern or see my post about the new pattern here.****

{hugs}
Laura