Can't Stop Crocheting

When I got home from Washington, I couldn't stop crocheting! I went to the store and expanded my supplies:

And then I attempted to make the same slouchy hat I made when I was at my sisters, this time using the correct stitches. That was another disaster. It would even be safe to say that it was worse than the first! I don't have a picture of it, because I threw it away, but it was not good. This time it was WAY too big. It was more like a hat for Shrek. My gauge was too loose. So I attempted it again, took it apart, tried again until it came out right. The only difference is that I did a two tone using a dark and light purple. I must say, I was pleased.

After I finished that one, I decided to make one as a birthday gift for my best friend. She has several favorite colors so I decided to use green. I did the two tone again with a dark green around the face and light green for the back.

When I was finished, it just didn't feel like her. It seemed to plain for such a spunky gal. So I decided to add a little extra to her hat: a flower. I made it and placed a gem like button in the center. I then secured it to a broach like craft pin so that she could add, remove, or move it anywhere she'd like.

Here is what it looks like all together:

I Learned to Crochet!

I'm not really sure where I get my crafty side from. It's possible it just runs in my blood since my mom's side is made up of full-blown Amish and Amish Mennonite, but maybe not? The only thing that I was ever given that was made for me was a baby blanket my grandma on my mom's side made for me. It was pretty simple. Not even one of those fancy Amish quilts. I know my grandma can sew, but I think that was the extent of it. Sewing clothes for her nine children. I really know her more for her cooking. She made delicious food and amazing cookies and pies! I don't think my grandma on my dad's side is crafty either. Don't really know to be honest.

Anyway- growing up I was always doing some sort of craft. Coloring (is that considered a craft?), making pot holders with a loom, braiding friendship blankets, etc. But as I got older, I grew out of those things. I had attempted to teach myself to knit, but I couldn't figure it out by reading the instructions. I'm much more a visual learner. So I gave up on that. But when I went to Washington, I found out that my sister likes to crochet. So when I did, I asked her if she would teach me. She said she would so we went to the local Walmart and picked up some supplies.

My sister and I didn't exactly grow up together. I always knew I had an older sister, but growing up on almost opposite coats (Nevada/Indiana), it didn't exactly allow for us to bond. So the inner child in me was more than excited that I was given the opportunity for her to teach me something.

Below is a picture of my first project. I took this baby apart many times, and after finishing it, realized that I was doing the stitching wrong. It still looked decent.

Kelsey's Baby Bedding

When my friend told me she was pregnant, I got this crazy idea. And then I proceeded to blurt it out in a question format to my friend, before really thinking what I might be getting myself into! I had asked her if she would like me to make the baby bed stuff- she said yes.

That happened in early October. We had attempted to meet several times so she could pick out the fabric, but it never seemed to work out. So instead she gave me this requirement, "make it girly." I was in a panic trying to figure out what colors to use, what type of pattern, etc. I was so afraid that she wasn't going to like it.

I delivered the baby quilt, hanging organizer, and bed skirt to her on Wednesday and assured her that the bumpers were on its way. She said she loved it, as did everyone else. Here are the finished pieces minus the bumpers and the bed skirt. The bumpers will just be solid brown. I didn't take a picture of the bed skirt yet either because there wasn't a good way to do it. The bed skirt is brown with pink polka dots. I think I'll take a picture once she gets it all in the room.

Back of quilt:

Front of quilt:

Hanging Organizer: