Ideas on How to Use Scraps

Of late, I have been obsessing over getting projects out of my way, all in pursuit of doing new ones of course. In my obsession, I have finished that wonderful scrap blanket mentioned in my January 29 post.

It looks pretty good and despite my husband's first reluctance about it, he has grown to enjoy all the colors that fit together and not quite fit together. I had hoped it would finish off a lot of my yarn....it did and didn't.

 So with THAT left over yarn I produced this rug...which is nice, but I think I might donate it to my family's cabin. It is more rustic looking then I imagined. But I guess that is what you get.

The rug was a great scrap user, because at the end of making the scrap blanket, I had long pieces of yarn that could be used for something but would not fit in the hexagonal motif of the blanket. They fit seamlessly into the rug.

Well, as I am writing this post, I am meandering through my old pictures, remembering what all has taken "scraps." Cause what does one do with all that yarn that is left over from say a lovely gray blanket? Or from that cute stuffed bear that you made?

Crochet Today! has made a great effort in showing examples of what to do.Both the scrap blanket and the rug came from two different Crochet Today! magazines. But, a few of my other projects were easy scrap users.

Remember those cute bunnies I made for babies that were coming soon? All of the yarn used in those rabbits were from my stash, essentially the yarn I didn't know what else to do with. The other amigurumi that I made with "scraps" are the lions I made for my cousin's baby.

Hmmm one other thing that used my "scraps" are the flannel receiving blankets. I don't recall ever purchasing any MORE yarn to trim the edges of the blankets.

So, to recap all the great "scrap" users: rug, hexagonal blanket, amigurumi and trimmed receiving blankets.

I'm sure there are more "scrap" users that I am not aware of. But don't be afraid to use those yarns you're not sure what to do with. They can produce great projects.

An Even Bigger Mess

When faced with a challenge the first thing one must admit is what you have done wrong. I am here to admit, my house IS a MESS.

I hope with this post, I will be highly motivated to finish projects around the house, namely my upstairs 'writing room' so that we can move on with the whole upstairs project. That is getting carpet, doors, and baseboards.

THEN I think I can think about and DO the organizing that needs to happen. Unfortunately at this point I have sadly become so used to looking at THE mess that I just ignore it. Which kinda makes me sad.

I don't know if anyone else can relate to living in a house project, but it's tough. I feel like I have just moved into this house and we have been here at least three years....whoa, that's a lot of time.

Are those paintbrushes?

But in all that time, we have  made headway on the upstairs. There is still the main floor that needs sanding and staining/clear coat. And the roof. I don't even want to think about the roof. But it needs done none the less.

Here's to cleaning up! Hope this post wasn't too boring. But I'm sure someone, somewhere can relate. And it might help you as it will help me to get those jobs done.

P.S. A happily blank slate!!!!(The post was the motivation I needed)

Ami Ami Dogs:Review

It is time for a review! Ami Ami Dogs is the book I used to create the puppies from my May 14 post.

I admit I was a little reluctant to get this book. When I paged through it, I loved the pictures immediately, but the patterns looked difficult when I  paged through it. But I was surprised.

The book was written by Mitsuki Hoshi, she has staged the dogs in a playful manner. It is an immediate selling point in my mind.

The patterns have an distinctive point by point direction. Which is easy to follow and understand. Patterns are harder to understand the more words are used in them. But Mitsuki Hoshi's  minimalist approach to the pattern makes them easy to comprehend and follow.

It is also easy to adjust the hook size and yarn size to create bigger or smaller dogs to your liking. Though I have not used a book with such detailed diagrams, it was fast to learn the pattern and to continue throughout the pattern.

If there is a dog you want to make, it seems you can adjust the patterns as well. I adjusted the spaniel pattern in the book to make a Springer Spaniel instead of the one mentioned in the book.

I am sure if you purchase Ami Ami Dogs in your local yarn shop or bookstore you will not be disappointed.

Recently I gave my husky away to a loving home!! He was graciously received by my nephew. He immediately hugged and played with it. It was a joy to see! That is always my ultimate goal when stitching up such cute things as amigurumi.

Beginning of Summer Sprouts

Another month lost. Ah well, it wasn't completely lost as I was deterrmined to finish my lovely gray/gray blanket. It looks fabulous! I've had many complements on it already. I look forward to  giving it away and seeing the reaction.

Also here are some bonnets and booties I've worked on as well. Twins are in the mix in my family and they had to be ushered in with some cute things to wear! I hope I will be able to see them in these bonnets and booties. Remember those cute little dogs from the last post? Well the Schnauzer and Springer Spaniel are in their new home. My sister-in-law and my brother loved them (they are the one's having twins)!

Our other flowers, our roses in particular are looking beautiful and more blooms on the way! Besides those, our lilies are blooming as well. They didn't look as if they were going to but nevertheless they have fun their way to the surface and look splendid.

  

The seedlings I talked about a couple of posts ago, have been planted and are sprouting. I hope flowers will eventually come.

All in all a relaxing start to summer. I hope it will continue to be a great summer, full of opportunity and joy!

April Crochet

Whoops, April flew by and I did not stop to enjoy it. Rather I've been busy hooking up a storm for babies, and more babies...and well pretty well determined to get the grey blanket out of the mix. . . . .

Recently given to a mom-to-be

Going to be a Pillow!!!

Yep, the grey blanket is on its way to being done, as you can see they are large squares now...next they will be long lines of dark grey/light grey rectangles...can you believe it?

The puppies, namely the Schnauzer and the Springer Spaniel are for twins coming into my family. Whoops, I'll show you the bonnets and booties later...that I am also working on for them.

The Siberian Husky is just a birthday present waiting to be received. And if you remember in previous post, I've started working on those pillows for my basement.

It's been a rush to get things done. My husband thinks I'm crazy to have so many unfinished projects...but you know what? The animals, as you can see are done.

I am determined to finish all of these projects! Even if it takes all summer...which it hopefully won't. What projects are you all working on???

Thanks for stopping by!

P.S. The puppy patterns came from a great Ami book all about dogs!!! I'll have to show it to you later.

Spring Hope

The sun has been shining for several days now. It has been a great refresher to the dreary winter months that have passed. This year we have been blessed with an early spring.

I am thankful for the blue sky.

. . the blooming flowers

. . .the thoughts of new seedlings that will be planted

. . .the green grass

. . .the awesome sun
. . .a corner full of projects ready to be finished

Life is good and there is no other way to get around it! I have hope that Spring will continue to be hopeful and full of sunshine and happiness!

 

All A-Twitter

Arn't these just the sweetest birds? I just made them over the weekend. I found them in my old faithful Crochet Today! circa (lol) Decmeber 2010.

I just could not resist making them...plus they will go a mother-to-be and will be adoring animals for the baby when it arrives. At least that's what I hope.

 They remind me of Spring as well. What I would give for warm, sunny weather! Of late we've had a couple of sunny days, but they have been coupled with cold weather. Blah. And today, it decides to rain!!! Lovely.

It's about time to start a new project. This blanket is going slow...and I don't think the colors help my winter mood. Then again the blanket is almost done, I should just get on with it and keep at it, so it can be over. It was fun at first and I'm sure I'll enjoy it more, once I start putting it together, but it just keeps going and going.

Maybe I'll start the pillows I've been needing to make for some time. The couch in the basement is in desperate need of some fun, colorful pillows. It might even brigthen my mood!

Well, I must be off. Talk to you soon.

Gray weather

P.S. If you live in Iowa....this only lasted about one more week......