Books & A Hook (or How I Spent My Weekend)

I took advantage of the long weekend to get a lot of reading done, as well as work on a crochet project.  I finished one book to be reviewed and started in on another book just "for fun".  Don't get me wrong.  The books I review are for fun, too, but I have a long list of books I've been marking to-be-read for the last year.  So lots and lots of reading.

And then about that crochet project.  I was able to knock another book off my list while crocheting.  Turns out that my library's website offers a service of e-audiobooks that can be checked out.  I found  The Missing (Seasons of Grace, Book 2)and downloaded it to my computer, then transferred it to my Kindle.  I listened to a 9-hour audiobook while I crocheted. 

Spending hours with my yarn and hook, I became very familiar with the narrator's voice on my audiobook, so much so that I kept wanting to get back to my project so I could listen to her.  At first, I wasn't even that thrilled with the story, but it was something to listen to.  Eventually, though, it grew on me. 

Monday night I finished the crochet project and the audiobook.  I'm sure gonna miss my little reader gal, though.  She has such a pleasant voice.

So do you know what I'm doing now?  I'm looking for more yarn to start a new project.  And guess what the library has... the third installment of that Amish series on e-audiobook just waiting to be checked out.

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Bet I Can Make You Hungry

Several weeks ago I mentioned that I may just have a love... no, an OBSESSION... for donuts.  You can read that post here.  After reading the donut obsession post that day, my friend Sherry decided to encourage me in my love for donuts by sending me a Hoops & YoYo video about donuts the next day.  You can read that post here.

Not too long after that, Sherry showed up at church with a little gift bag for Yours Truly, and you'll never guess what was in it. 

                          

Are these not the most amazing donuts you have ever seen?  She crocheted them!!  Then she used puffy paint to create sprinkles and chocolate glaze that look real.  The woman is an artist, I tell ya.

I am displaying them on the top of my bookcase.  I thought they were so cute, I just had to share.

Be sure to come back Friday for my vlog when I answer another Chat Pack question.  I think it'll be fun.

Now go forth, and eat donuts!

Another Crochet Project

I've been working on a new crochet project for the last week.  I thought it would be fun to try something smaller than a baby blanket, so it could be made up quickly.  I found a very easy pattern for a child's scarf and thought I could make one and give it to a little girl at church.

I was able to attempt and conquer a new technique, which was attaching fringe.  It was actually much easier than I thought it would be.  In fact, I think it was my favorite part of the whole scarf.

I just finished it today and wanted to show it off.  I think it's just adorable, and look how little it is. 

Cute, huh?

Maybe I'll have to go find a pattern for a big girl scarf.  I do love the fringe!

My Secret Project

I thought I would show you what the project was that I had been working on.  It's a good thing I never gave any clues out because the recipient of the gift I made has been keeping up with my blog.  Now that the gift has been completed and presented, I can show you a picture.

 

This is a baby blanket I crocheted for my friend Amy.  She's expecting her first baby in a couple weeks.  I was working on it fast and furiously to get it finished in time to present it to her when I saw her last week.

Don't you love the colors and the way the variegation ripples through the blanket?  It's so cool.  I just love it!

Crochet

As I've enjoyed crocheting blankets, I've also found that it's a months' long project to finish just one. I've made one baby blanket and only a second one that was abandoned halfway through because it just didn't look right. That was a bummer because I ended up having to go purchase a store bought gift for a new mom at our church when I really wanted to give her a handmade gift.

I've lately been anxious to find a simple baby bootie pattern because they would be fast to make and I wouldn't need months of advance notice on when the shower was going to be held. I could start working on them right now in various colors and be ready for the next baby that comes along. I have also toyed with the idea of selling some on Etsy, if they looked good. (I know Amanda would approve.)

I chose a bootie pattern from my book today, and I started working it with some leftover yarn I have from the blanket I never finished. From the few rounds I have already completed, this seems to be a winner. I'm pretty excited about it! This could open a whole new world for me in crochet. I'll let you know if the booties turn out well.

My Newest Crafty Project

I've been working on a new crochet project. I'm pretty excited about this one, but I can't tell you what it is or who it's for because I don't know if they read my blog.

It took me forever to choose the pattern because I'm a bit of a novice and have to read the pattern directions carefully in order to know if I'll be able to actually follow it. Being a self-taught crocheter, some directions still don't make sense to me, even on the patterns that say "Easy". I had purchased a pattern book off eBay several months ago, so I've been waiting to try something from that book for quite some time.

I chose this pattern with wavy shells, and I love it. Five rows are now complete, so I think I'm on my way now. It's so exciting when the design starts really taking off. I've found it very easy to follow, and I'm just working through it a couple rows at a time so as not to stress myself out over something that should be relaxing and enjoyable.

The color of yarn I picked out is delicious, too. That's about the only word I can use to describe it. A variegation of pastel blues, pinks and yellows. I could almost eat it. (Does anyone else know what I'm talking about here, or am I the only crazy girl who thinks such things?)

Don't you love making personal gifts? I've mentioned it before, but I just can't express the enjoyment that comes while I'm creating something to give to a special person. I think about them while I work. I imagine it could even be a ministry, not only in giving of myself but even being prayerful for the person as I work. I guess that's something I hadn't considered before. I am going to try to keep that in mind the next time I set out to work on my project.

Since I hadn't posted since Monday, I thought I'd let you know I'm still alive and at least share this little sunshine from my day.