Finished Finishing

Despite the chaos that can be found in the month of August, with back to school and all that, I have carved out a bit of time to prepare for my fall craft shows. My aunt and I have added two additional shows this year, both of them closer to home for me. I did some scoping last year, and both have great potential.

My preparations have included lots of tracking inventory, and lots of finishing. The crocheting part is most definitely my favorite, next to actually getting out to the craft shows and selling. Finishing my product always seems to come last. Something about the tedium always gets to me. Due to my tendency to leave the finishing until the last minute left me with nearly a dozen hats to be finished this past week.

My favorite is this delicate one:

Silver blue with bright pink rose

It's perfect for a little baby girl! I try to keep a variety of hats on hand, but the sweet flowered girls' hats are my favorite. There are a couple of bears and birds to appeal to those who want something more boyish or neutral.

You can find more pictures of my finished hats (and other items!) on my Facebook page here. I'll be hosting a giveaway there soon, to celebrate my second wedding anniversary and my baby boy's first birthday, so you should definitely like my page :)

January 1, 2015

The first day of a new year doesn't always feel different. Last year, we already knew we were expecting a new little one in our lives. This year, I know I am hoping for something a little more low key. To be honest though, I don't have many expectations for this year. But I can have a few hopes and dreams...

• homeownership
• new job for my husband- or at least a promotion
• expansion of my home business
• a renewed teaching contract-- I'd love to work another year at my current job
• debt reduction-- college loans are still looming, and we'd like to get them down significantly this year, especially since we are still house shopping
• expansion of garden-- we grew a few of our own veggies this year, but because I was heavily pregnant/dealing with a newborn during harvest time, we were not as successful with our crops as we could've been. Hopefully we will be able to put more up this year.
• good health all around-- back problems and migraines have plagued me throughout 2014, and we'd like to find a solution for them soon

While I've  known other people to choose words or themes for the coming year, I've never done it myself, but this year one found me. I have a habit of writing quotes on notecards when reading, especially if something good strikes me. I found this one while cleaning:

Notwithstanding my weakness, I am no longer afraid. 

I have placed my confidence in God, who can do all things 

and from whom I hope all things, for I rely not on myself. 

~St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

So I'm adopting that as my theme for the year, and plan to continue to pray and reflect on how best to place confidence in God.

Blessings in the new year!

Love,

Mary

Cutting it Close

Christmas gifts for this year are still in progress. I was swamped with a few custom orders right at the end of November, and was struggling to find time to crochet for me.

I'm getting close to catching up now. 

The painting's a new thing. I thought I would try my hand at another artistic outlet, and while it's not Picasso or anything, I'm mostly content. Bob Ross was great inspiration. 

Michael's had a great sale on canvas yesterday, so a few more things will pop up here over the next few weeks, I'm sure. 

Promo and Giveaway

I've just reached 200 likes on my Facebook page- facebook.com/mary.crochets - and to celebrate, I'm giving away one ready made item of your choice! 'Like' my page and comment on the giveaway post with what you would like to win. For an extra entry, 'share' my giveaway post.  

My ready made items are in a separate album on my Facebook page, if you are looking.  

I'm offering it to anyone, and I only have about 20 entries so far, so your chances are still high!

I'm also offer $2 off any item that is ready to ship for the next two weeks! 

Check it out, you may be a winner! 

Crochet Giveaway!

I'm keeping busy with my little crochet business, as I mentioned the other day. As my Facebook page approaches 200 likes, I'm planning a little "celebration".

If I reach 200 likes BEFORE December 1, I will have a promotional discount on all my ready-made items and a giveaway! If I don't reach the December 1 goal, I will go back to my original plan of a promotional discount on ready-made items, but no giveaway.

I'm trying to separate my personal blog from my business stuff, so you should see a division here soon.

Thanks for stopping by!!! :)

When it rains...

Actually, we just got hit with snow. But I just got rained on with crochet commissions. Just yesterday, I posted about trying to expand my business, and last night I *encouraged* my little sister to send out invites to my page to all her friends. Turns out one of my cousins' fiancees ( I have several cousins that are getting married soon) is interested in items for their family Christmas gifting. So I got flooded, a bit.

My donation for my school's annual auction

Luckily I finished an order last night, and am on the edge of finishing another one. Last year, I made my first donation to my school's annual auction, and I wanted to up the ante this year. Unfortunately, I was a bit behind, as the auction is this Friday. I am pleased with my donation, especially the penguin hat. Next year, I'll be trying to be prepared before the call for donations goes out. 

My little munchkin

We're still trying to enjoy the little-ness of our munchkin- but he's getting so big, so fast! I want to make so many things for him, but other projects are getting in the way. I'll be calling off custom orders at the beginning of December so I have time for gift crafting, and hopefully I'll get to some woolies.

For now, I will continue to be grateful and continue to pray for wisdom. Thank you all for your prayers and warm thoughts as well. 

Growing

Everything's growing in my neck of the woods. It's growing colder. My baby's growing. I'm trying to grow my home business. We're looking at food to grow next year. It's all very exciting.

I've been in the craft show business for at least 5 years now, possibly closer to 6. I enjoy doing 3 or 4 shows in the fall with my aunt, but I'm also looking at expanding. I'd like to get more of an online presence, but I'm not sure how. Any advice? I already have a Facebook page, which has been relatively effective up to this point. A photographer friend is using my items as props. What more can I do?

The weather also makes me more inclined to crochet away. Chilly winters means more woolies are needed. I have quite a few scarves, but I'd like to have a wider range of styles and colors. That may be my downfall, crocheting for myself.

However, I am crocheting quite a bit for my little one, who is getting more adorable and bigger by the minute. Going to work kills me, but right now it is needed. Hopefully next summer, we'll get a better planned garden together, which will cut back food expenses.

Living on a teacher's income is definitely not sunshine and roses, but I know this is where God wants me to be. I'm hoping and praying that working from home is in God's plan for me somewhere, as I can't imagine continuing this for more than one child. We shall see...

A finished hat!

You can see my Christmas decorations hiding in the back

The focus isn't great, because iPhone photos are not the best at night, but I have finished a slouch hat. Challenged by my sister, I came up with the pattern myself. I plan on making more of these, so there will definitely be more (& better) pics in the future!

The fact that I've been  able to finish this is most certainly an accomplishment, as I have been so busy with teaching, my time is not always my own. I still want to make a few more before my final craft show of the season- next weekend! I think with Christmas being so close, many people will be shopping for gifts, and these have been particularly popular. 

Linking up with Tamis Amis! 

WIP Wednesday Again!

I feel like several WIP Wednesdays passed without me noticing them. Being busy with student teaching and musical rehearsals and work and wedding planning has left little time for blogging and crafting. But I am still managing to work on a few things here and there.

I have so many pictures to share, but for today, I'll keep it to one.

Quite a mix today

I'm reading the World History textbook in preparation for my next round of lessons-- Kingdoms of Africa. Hopefully the students will take to it, as it is not my best area of knowledge.

There are 2 different hats in progress, both commissioned items. The black is the start of another Toothless hat, and the pink is a new design. To the far right is my finished Citron, which I will share on Friday. The green smack dab in the middle is my second Snowdrop, in Knit Picks Chroma.

I've finished my first audiobook of Lent-- CS Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Definitely one of my favorite books to read, and easy listening, especially when knitting or crocheting.

Linking with Ginny and Tami today!

Papercrafting and Last Minute Orders

My FOs this week are mixed media-- I have crochet, like normal, but also papercrafting. You see, I have been on the hunt for a circular paper punch, with the little scalloped edges, for several weeks. However, the stores don't seem to be re-stocking, so they've never had the size I wanted. Yesterday, my JoAnn's had the one I wanted, and it was on sale. I used it as soon as I got home, make new ornaments for our Jesse Tree. So now, my family is celebrating a mix of old and new as we prepare for Christmas and the birth of Christ.

new paper punch!

my ornaments for next week

this week's, up close

ornaments from years past

our Jesse Tree, preparing us for Christmas

I have made some crocheting progress, though sadly not with Christmas gifts. I had a woman who had purchased one of my scarves at a craft show contact me (2 months later?!) and wondered if I had any left. (I really wanted to tell her to go away, but business is business, right?) So I graciously offered two of my WIP scarves, since I would have the rest of the week to finish them. Those are now finished, and I'm waiting to hear back from her. For those of you who work craft shows, is there any good way to let people know that you won't take orders after a certain time? Because, I update that information on my Facebook page regularly, and people still think they can order stuff the week before Christmas. Like, I made the FB page so people could find me later, and contact me. Am I doing something wrong?

two new scarves

I'm looking forward to the weekend-- we're cutting our Christmas tree tomorrow morning, have a party in the evening, and on Sunday I'm going dress shopping with my flower girls. Anyone else have exciting plans?

Anyway, linking up with Tami for FO Friday.

End of the Season

Saturday marked the end of my craft show season this year. I was fairly successful, especially with the popularity of the infinity scarves. I attended 5 different craft shows, and each one was different. One of our shows this year was a complete dud, but a learning experience as well.  My aunt and I are looking into adding one more to our "regular schedule" -- which means there will be at least 4 shows for me next year (my fifth this year was independent of my aunt).

This is what my stuff at our last show looked like.

It is an enormous relief to not have to worry about making more items to sell-- Now I can work on it as I please.

It's also 2 weeks into Advent, which is the mark of the new liturgical year. After seeing a number of fellow bloggers (JOYfilled Family, Karen @ A Servant's Memories, Ginny @ Small Things)  talking about Jesse Trees, I remembered that we once had a Jesse Tree at my house. It's been many years (1996, we think), but I wanted to bring it back.
So there is a Jesse Tree in our kitchen. I've been slacking, because of finals, but my dad has been adding things. I love the idea of another mediation for Christmas.

Bare, for now

Warm Ears!

I've been super busy with the end of the semester (I think this happens all the time, but more so with school stuff) but I have been squeezing in some crafting time. My last craft show of the year is on Saturday, and I've been trying to make a good selection of child and baby sized hats. I really love crocheting for little kids, and I can't wait to see what they think of my creations. Between school and crafting and wedding planning, I can honestly say my life is not dull.

And!! One of my bridesmaids just got engaged, and will be getting married next winter-- she just asked me to be in her wedding, so the excitement just keeps on going!

I fell off the stash busting wagon on Cyber Monday, when I bought a bunch of pretty yarn from Knit Picks, but I am still trying to keep track of my yarn 'weight loss'. The scarf for Bro #2 got rid of 300 yards or so, and I used up an entire skein of Vanna's Choice on 2 child hats.

I'm also working on moving unwanted stash out of my room, because I am anticipating the move, and who really wants to move stuff that has no purpose. Basically, anything I don't want to use is being bagged up for a trip to my church for the fourth graders. Because of all the busy in my life, it's hard to find the spare time, but I totally believe that if you want to, you can make time. For each skein of yarn I donate, I've been trying to make an afghan square to donate too-- the fourth graders love seeing what the 'adults' make, so I try to have a couple of squares in with the yarn. 

If you come back on Friday, I'm going to try my best to get up photos of all the hats I've made. It's really exciting, because I tried a couple of new-ish designs. :)

Linking up with Tami for WIP Wednesday and Ginny for Yarn-along!

Holiday Stashdown Challenge Week 23

I'm still participating in the stashdown with Marie, even if most of my projects right now are commissioned items for other people. I'm still working mainly from stash, which I think is a major accomplishment (or a testament to the amount of yarn I have...) so I'm definitely stashing-down!

Chocolate cupcakes: Zero calories

On the menu this week... cupcakes! Last year, I made a ton, and they are still featured in my cover photo on my Facebook page. They are quick and fun and colorful! When I remembered last night that they were on my commissioned item list, I found some yarn and got straight to work. Well, straight to work meaning I assembled my materials, popped a bag of popcorn, and snuggled on the couch for the new episode of Castle. I know, who makes popcorn when they want to crochet? But, Mondays are my long stressful days at school, and I wanted something semi-healthy to snack on (Because I'm cheap and don't like buying campus food). Even including the food setback, I was able to finish 3 bottoms during the episode of Castle, and one more before I went to bed. Not exactly what I was hoping for, but at least it was a start.

More half-finished hats

Another bonus, I got paid this weekend! I saw both my cupcake lady and my boyfriend's sister this weekend at the retreat, and got paid for my services. All nine of my creative hats were delivered (and are out of my room!!!) and well received! I can't wait to see the response from the kiddos at Christmas time! As a college student, on a college student budget, getting paid is awesome. But, since my stash has overwhelmed me (temporarily, I hope) I will not be buying any more new yarn until I absolutely need it.

I'm still thinking about and working on some Christmas gifts, but with 3 craft shows all within a  5 week period, I really need to focus on those as well as the ever-growing list of commissioned items. I am thankful though. All this work means I practically have a job that pays me to do what I love: knit and crochet.

I really really want to have a proper gift crossed off the list next week, so stay tuned!

Taking a Break

I've been on a bit of a break from blogging for the past week or so. I'm still here, I've just been really busy with school and everything else. And then a craft show snuck up on me, and I wasn't as ready as I thought I was. So I spent a week trying to prepare more items for the craft show, and I took a pause from personal knitting as I suddenly had a list of commissioned items.

6 new skeins of Homespun, plus one in Thick & Quick

A friend of my sister's ordered a pair of crocheted slipper-socks for his girlfriend-- luckily the picture he saw was attached to a pattern-- this one from Drops Design. My cousin asked for a frog hat for her youngest, to look like a tree frog with red-orange eyes and everything. My boyfriend wants a Viking hat for his godson, modelled after the characters in How to Train Your Dragon. Barb from my women's group saw a cool poncho in a yarn shop window 'Up North' and the woman at the shop gave her the pattern-- I was asked to make it. Anne, Barb's daughter (also in my women's group) found a cute child's tunic pattern (more like a hooded sweatshirt, but the pattern said tunic) that she would like made for her 2 youngest boys. One of my co-workers, Kelly, saw my Toothless hats and requested one for her goddaughter. She also keeps finding ideas on Pinterest-- I think she wants me to remake her entire wardrobe. Bri, a woman I worked with at summer camp, wants a sweater for her husband. Luckily, she understands the time and effort, and is willing to pay. So my list grows longer, and my personal time shrinks.

Due to that huge list of commissioned items, I simply *had to* buy more yarn. Well, actually, I did have to buy more yarn. Last week, I  purchased quite a bit of Lion Brand Homespun for craft show items-- if I haven't mentioned it before, it's my favorite yarn to use for scarves. It required a trip to JoAnn's, even though I currently hate our store because they are remodeling and everything is a mess, but the yarn was on sale, and I had a 20% off everything coupon. I also was able to buy a skein of the new Homespun super bulky, in Purple Haze, this beautiful purple/blue color that they don't make in regular Homespun. (Yes, none of this yarn actually has to do with commissioned items).

Bernat Super Value

My next stop was Meijer, oddly enough. It's the only store in my area that stocks Bernat Super Value yarn, which has a nice range of colors, and one of the nicer acrylic yarns that I've used. Their prices are also really decent, considering they only carry a small range of yarns. Even though I was only after Carrot orange for the "Crochet a Pumpkin Pin" class that I'm teaching next week, they also had a lovely green- "Lush"- that I thought would be good for the frog hat, and a rich red- "Berry"- that would work for the slippers. And because I apparently have no self control and wanted a few more color options for craft show items, I also bought a skein each of "Peacock", "Super Pink" and "Light Damson". I can probably get at least 2 child sized hats from each skein, along with numerous flowers. (I still have this thought in the back of my head of this epic scrap yarn afghan, but with everything else, I don't have time yet.)
And then, last week Friday, my Knit Picks order came. I had to order yarn for the sweater- she asked for natural fibers- and more yarn for the poncho. Barb and I discussed the yarn possibilities, and she wanted something in a natural color, and a bit finer, since it was lacy. I had on hand some Bare Superwash Fingering that fit the bill. But, since I did buy that yarn to dye for projects, I ordered 2 more skeins for Barb's poncho. I wound one skein so if I wanted to, I could start before the yarn came. (I didn't get to it). I also order 2 skeins of Stroll Tonal Sock for me, in Pearlscent. I want to knit this for a formal event in November, but I don't know if I will have the time.

Our booth

I keep seeing things that I want to make, and I keep noticing defiencies in my wardrobe-- you know "If only I had a scarf in x color..."-- but I don't really have time to craft for myself. And school is demanding a good portion of my time, leaving even less for crafts. I'm hoping to make good use of my time at work, being efficient and finishing my homework so that when I go home and relax in front of the TV, I can be knitting or crocheting. Well, and between craft shows and custom orders, I have my hands really full.

Speaking of craft show, I worked one this past weekend. It was only one day, but in that one day, things went really well. My aunt sold a lot of sweatshirts, and even got an invitation for another show at the end of November. We're still deciding about that show.

A closer look at my crochet table

Last show, I sold out of my infinity scarves, so I was determined to have a good supply for this show. I started with 9, and took home 2. Many people came back and wondered if I had more stock, but I was not prepared for the interest that I received. I hope to have more items available for the show at the beginning of November. I'm trying to better sort out my priorities, trying to evenly divide my time between this- my "second job"- my actual job, and my full-time schooling. My boyfriend's been pretty impressed with me so far, so I must be doing something right. I'm definitely buying more yarn this week, as I know if I load as much business crafting as I can in this first week or two, I will be able to move back to personal crafting sooner. This month will definitely be a busy one, though, as all the commissioned items that I mentioned before need to be started and finished in an efficient manner.

I did have more to talk about, but I'll spare you all right now. I'll try to be back on Wednesday, but my WIPs will be similar and boring for the next 2 weeks.

One (or 2) shy of the Finish line!

I've mentioned multiple times in the past few weeks the hat order that I am filling for E's sister. Well, I can officially say that I only have one left!

Wednesday night I powered through cutting and fastening yarn, and Thursday I spent re-arranging flowers, so now Rapunzel is complete! I have all sorts of tight muscles in my neck, shoulders and back, but the finished product is so worth it.

(My second Toothless is still in pieces! Nearly done though!)

The one that is unfinished- a dinosaur- is only due to my lack of yarn for it.

So here are all the hats I made!!!
2 Yodas, 1 Toothless, 1 Rapunzel, 1 monkey, 1 pirate, 1 crown

Linking up with Tami for FO Friday!

New books, more hats

My top priority this week has been my large hat order. I know I talked about getting some bigger projects done, particularly my 2 blanket projects, but technically business comes before pleasure. So even though my 2 blanket projects are cluttering my room, I have been crocheting hats.

Currently, I have 2 adult sized bases complete, waiting for embellishment. I have one child sized hat nearly complete, also waiting for final embellishment. I have 2 baby hats nearly done, which leaves 2 more child sized hats with yarn available, I just haven't started hooking them yet.

On the book front, I've been scratching the surface of my history books for class this semester, but was side-tracked by a biography on my supervisor's desk at work. My mom, sister and I have been quite absorbed in the PBS/BBC TV series "Downton Abbey". Season 3 is currently in production, but won't be released in the US until January next year. We watched the first 2 seasons in rapid succession, and are now more slowly going through them again (now that we own them). The book that I just started reading is Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle. Highclere Castle is the building that  provides the exterior for the fictional Downton Abbey. Written by the current Countess of Carnarvon, it discusses the woman who lived at Highclere during the same period as the TV series "Downton Abbey". I'm not very far in yet, but from what I can tell, the real story of Highclere Castle is just as dramatic as the story of Downton Abbey.
I'm still listening to Harry on audiobook- nearly done with the Half-Blood Prince already!

my Mish-Mash progress

Linking up with Work-In-Progress Wednesday @ Tami's and Yarn-Along @ Ginny's. I hope you stop by on Friday-- I should have a few hats completely done!

So many projects, so Little Progress!

I have been a busy bee this past week. We had really bad weather most of the weekend- lots of rain and chillyness- so I hid away in my bedroom.

Audiobooks have been my really good friends all summer, because I can read and knit/crochet at the same time. This week, it's been Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Of the 7 books, I like this one the least of all. Harry did so many stupid things, and I think after the long wait (GoF was published in 2000, OotP 2003), it was a disappointing book to me. However, I still love Harry, as the majority of my adolescent reading was comprised of him. I'm more than halfway through the book, and have made progress on a variety of things, but nothing has made it to completion yet.

I'm still working on my hat commissions, having stalled on the adult sized hats. In all my time making smaller child and baby sized hats, I've forgotten how long it takes to make normal adult sized hats. Oops! I'm trying to finish the adult sizes first, otherwise I would probably be making more progress.

I started a pair of fingerless mitts with the Felici yarn I bought a couple of months ago, and I love the self-striping nature of the yarn!! They look like they are requiring a lot of effort, while in reality the yarn does most of the work for me! I'm crocheting with it, which requires a smaller sized hook than what I regularly work with, but I love the look of the tiny stitches!

During the last few days of the Olympics, I've decided that getting out one of my hibernating knitting projects, and I've nearly finished the back of a knitted vest! This is the one I've been working on for a number of years, and I've had issues finishing for at least 3 Christmases. It is meant to be a gift to my oldest brother. I'm hoping that this renewed energy will inspire me to actually get it done this year.

I also have a variety of smaller projects- simple scarves, headbands, flowers, and the like- floating around my room, in different stages of progress. I only just realized that my first craft show is the weekend after Labor Day, and I haven't made any of my regular wares. So in between bigger projects, I've started some flowered hair-ties and have made myself the goal of a dozen, all in different colors.

I have been doing some actual book reading, usually a chapter or 2 before bed. A few weeks ago while blog hopping through Ginny's link-up, I noticed someone was reading Theology of the Body for Beginners by Christopher West. My dad's been trying to get me to read more religious stuff, especially stuff written by JPII. While this is not really written by JPII, it is simplifying and expanding upon his work. So far, its been really interesting, and definitely eye-opening.

Other then that, my progress is mostly involving cleaning my room up. I have to make myself clean it every few months, or else it'll get out of hand. I'm hoping that by the end of the year, my mess will be more under control.

I'm linking up with Tami and Ginny today-- be sure to pop over there and check some other things out!

A Different (but not new) Craft

My crocheting progress this week is mainly invisible, so it's not really fair to share it in my FO Friday post. I finished all of my Ravellenic Games projects (I only committed to 2) and have 2 of 9 hats finished for my big hat order. There are also 3 more hats on top of the large order, and I plan to have all of them done in the next few weeks so I can focus on school once it starts.

In an effort to clean in my room (again!), I was sorting through my jewelry making supplies. Did I ever tell you that I spent my last 2 years of high school making jewelry? I have lots of jewelry making supplies, and haven't touched them in a couple of months, as I put most of it aside when I got into more serious yarn crafting.  I had made up a half -dozen or more stitch marker sets the last time I had my beading stuff out, and all that was needed was assembly. So that's how I spent the majority of my Thursday afternoon. Look at all the pretties!

I made all but 2 of the sets that I had prepared, and would've gotten into a beading stride if I hadn't had the afternoon shift at work. The ones I made up were all using jump rings, and will fit on knitting needles up to US 10. I have plenty of beading wire to make snag-less stitch markers, but didn't realize that I was all out of crimp tubes. (This is definitely a reminder that I need to inventory all of my beading supplies in the near future.)

If there is any interest, I'll photograph and write up a basic tutorial for everyone :)

I'm linking up with Tami's FO Friday today, so hop on over to see what other people finished this week!

When Work is Fun!

This week, I've been spending a bit more time on some of my hat orders instead of my holiday stashdown. These are projects that have been commissioned, and several of them are actually stash-busters! I am actually enjoying the challenge of making new hat designs, and some of them might stay in my notes for future use.

Girl monkey hat and boy pirate hat, both sized for a child 3-10.

What do you think?

I mentioned yesterday that I have been also working on my Smorgasbord blanket and I am finally starting to see real progress! I still have quite a bit of felt left to edge, but once that part is out of the way, the rest will be smooth sailing.

As for the hats, I have 3 dragons/dinosaurs on the list, so that's the next bit to tackle!

It is Wednesday, so I'll be joining up with Tami and Ginny! Check out all the exciting things going on!