So Many Projects.....So Little Progress

My blogging has been a bit sparse lately, mostly because not much has been going on, and I don't have any finished projects to show.  I've been busy though.  I am working on a new pattern, and I'm getting geared up for a new ring ornament series for Christmas.  I also have several personal projects in the works.  Since I rarely make anything for myself, I was suprised when I realized that all of my projects in process are for me!  It was a happy suprise though, and I am looking forward to getting all of these finished up so I can enjoy them.  My progress seems to be going slowly, but I think that's because I am trying to work on so many at the same time.  :)

First up is the The Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief by Orange Flower, and is a free pattern on Ravelry.  You can't really tell by the picture (below), but it's almost finished.  I think I have just a few more rows to go.  I'm loving the yarn, it is Tosh DK by Madelinetosh and is SO nice to work with.  Hopefully I will get this finished up this week sometime.  Getting around to blocking it is a whole other story.  :)

 


Next is a fun little project I found on www.redheart,com, called a  Snowman Jar Cozy.  It's a quick, easy project to make.  You just work ribbing in the round for about 5 inches, then use felt and buttons to make a snowman's face.  It slides over a round glass vase and can be used as a candy dish.  I picked up a vase the other day, and once I get this finished, I will fill it up with peppermints.  :)

This next project is a kit I bought at Mary Maxim for an afghan called"Marcelle Afghan".  I don't usually buy kits, but this one is only available as a kit. I have had my eye on it for quite some time, and when Mary Maxim had a free shipping offer I took advantage of it and ordered it.
I'm making it using the yarn provided, which I'm not crazy about, but I am enjoying the pattern.  It's not a mindless project though, you really have to stay focused. I can't wait to see it finished, but this one will probably take a while to get done.

This project is called the Alpine Frost Scarf by Amy O'Neill Houck and is available for purchase on Ravelry.  I was looking through all the projects made from the pattern and I fell in love with this gorgeous project.  She made the scarf using Lace Lux yarn, which I found at Jimmy Beans Wool.  This yarn is to die for, it is so soft!  I just started this, so I haven't gotten very far, and the full effect of this scarf isn't seen until it's finished and blocked.  But it is a very easy, mindless project, perfect for working on while watching TV. 

The last project is a sewing project.  I was in my local fabric store, and they had gotten in some really nice dishtowels, and had decorated them by stitching fabric along the bottom and adding some rick rack for decoration.  So I picked up supplies to make two towels.  Once I take the time to haul out the sewing machine, this project should only take a few hours.  I bought fall fabric though, so I guess I better get going on it.  :)

So that's my list of projects and I hope to have some finished pictures to share soon!  :)
 

Winter Penguin Potholder - New Pattern In Shop

Winter will be here soon (darn it!), and this cute little penguin is all ready for the snow to fall! 

Pattern is worked in single crochet by following a color chart. The beak, earmuffs and scarf's fringe are crocheted separately and stitched on. The eyes are small black buttons.

Potholder is made using worsted weight cotton yarn, and has front and back pieces stitched together for double thickness.

Finished size is 8 3/4" wide x 8" high (not including ring at top)
Pattern is available in my etsy shop

Red Bird in the Snow Potholder - New Pattern in Shop

I am not normally a fan of snow, but after this long, hot summer I am actually looking forward to it a little bit (not a lot, but a little bit).  :)  We have lots of pine trees around our house and there is nothing prettier than seeing a beautiful red cardinal sitting on a snow-filled branch.  So that was my inspiration when I came up with this sweet little red bird, working on it in 90+ degree temps, while daydreaming about the upcoming cooler weather.  :)

The front piece of the potholder is worked in single crochet by following a color chart.  The beak is crocheted separately, then stitched on, and the eye is a small black button.  The snowflakes are small white beads stitched randomly around. The back piece is done single crochet, then the two pieces are stitched together for double thickness.

The finished size is 9 1/4" wide x 8 1/2" high (not including the ring at the top)

Pattern is available in my etsy shop

Blog Makeover!

Hello All!  How do you like the new look of my blog?   This poor little blog has needed a facelift for a long time now.  I used to use an online freebie background, but someone let me know that their antivirus system notified them there was malware attached to it.  Now I don't exactly know what malware is, but it did not sound like a good thing.  :)  So I removed the freebie background, and began using one of the backgrounds provided on blogger.  I chose one that I sort of liked, but didn't really love and then I was contacted by someone saying it was too busy and made it difficult to read the items listed on the sidebar.  That wasn't good either!  Next I tried a few very boring and plain backgrounds, which I was not happy with.  Then a few weeks ago I was perusing thru etsy and found that there were blog packages available to purchase.  I had no idea!  :)  There were a lot of great designs to choose from and I got mine from Simply Creative.  Magaly from Simply Creative was so nice to work with.  I had several questions beforehand and she was very helpful.  She also has some great etsy banner designs, so next up will be a makeover for my etsy shop.  :)

Another new thing on the blog is the option to follow by email. I've been asked about this before, but being the low-tech person that I am, had no idea how to set it up.  Then I got an email the other day asking about it (thanks Kathi!) and decided to see if I could figure it out.  So if you are interested in following by email, that option is now on the right sidebar.  :)

And I had to share this funny picture that my dad took the other day.  My nephew Eli is completely obessed with any and all vehicles.  His first word was car.  One of his favorite things to do is to sit in my dad's truck and "drive".  His little sidekick in the picture is my parent's cat Symon.  Symon loves to go for car rides and he even has his own little perch on the passenger seat of my dad's truck where he sits.  He's sitting there so patiently and I'm sure he's probably wondering why the heck the truck is not going anywhere.  :)

 

Flower Power Dishcloth - Free Pattern

These dishcloths work up quickly!  They are made using Sugar 'n Cream worsted weight 100% cotton yarn, and a size H (5.00mm) crochet hook.

Finished size is about 9" across.

CLICK HERE FOR PATTERN

Thank you!!

A big Thank You to everyone who left me a comment on the washing machine question!   You were all very helpful!  I have decided that I am going to go with a top loader, and hope to get one purchased this week. 

We got another hard rain yesterday afternoon.  Having such a hot, dry summer has made us get excited anytime it rains.  It rained so hard that it did actually show up a bit in the picture this time.  And afterwards, it turned a weird orange outside.  Thing are finally getting green again and we're sure happy about that!  :)

Thanks again everyone, and I hope you all have a great week!  :)

Washing Machines...Front Loader vs.Top Loader

Sorry for the boring topic!  :)  But my washing machine is on it's last legs and I have been shopping around for a new one, and I'm having trouble deciding what to get.  It seems that the front loaders are very popular now, but I just can't seem to work up any excitement for one.  It might be because I have this irrational fear that water will leak out the door at some point.  Yeah, I'm weird that way. :)

And the new top loaders sort of intrigued me, because I notice that some of them don't have the agitator thing in the middle of the drum anymore.   I kind of liked that, but wonder if that makes them any better.

So if there are any of you out there that have one of these and if you would leave me a comment and let me know pros or cons of either type, I would really appreciate it.  :) 

Thank you!  And I'll try and come up with something more interesting for the next post.  :)