Crochet Alligator Scarf

Been a while since I posted.  I have been trying to come up with something fast and easy to crochet, that would bring in some money (need fundraising money to go to D.C. 2013 Memorial Day Parade that my daughter will be marching in).  I finished my alligator scarf today, had to add his eyes.  Took about a week to do, with all the frogging I did.  Still not happy with the outcome.  He needs to be a bit wider for one and just not sure on the other.  So I will working on another and doing some tweeking here and there to see if I can come up with something I am really happy with.  I think the kids at school would like.  Our mascot is a Gator and our colors are purple and white.  I used 2 different patterns.  Crocheted Alligator Scarf by Kathy S.  & this one which is not free.  Pictures are not very good, probably should of waitted for the sun to be out better.  I used Caron Simply Soft in color Pine & a size I hook.  Tatting is on the back burner for now.  Waitting on some books from the Library.  Sure wish they would hurry!!  :)  Soooo how is everyone and what have yall been doing??

What a dreary day today

Well it is raining and I just can not get motivated today, so I figured I would update my blog today.  Yesterday I did manage to get 2 projects finished.  I was working on a crochet pineapple snowflake (can be purchased here) & heart's desire (a tatting pattern which can be found at here).

The crochet pineapple snowflake I plan on making 2 more and doing another 3-D snowflake.  If you are wondering how to make a 3-D snowflake, I do talk about it more here.  This pattern will make a larger 3-D snowflake.

The tatted heart's desire, well not really sure what I will do with it, but I did get more practice by making it.  I do have a boo boo in a join but I think it is not really noticeable.

Between working on those 2 project, I had a sick Deuce.  He is my 70 lb. white boxer.  I woke up yesterday to a mess on the kitchen floor.  Could tell he was not feeling well.  He ate breakfast but around 2:00 P.M. breakfast came back up.  He pretty much stayed at my feet and would stare at me with those puppy dog eyes (mom love me, I do not feel good).  For supper I decided to see if he would eat some plain rice.  He did not want that either.  Right before going to bed, I tried again to get him to eat some rice and he did.  This morning I gave him a little more rice and he ate it.  I also offered him a doggie kibble and he ate, but did not want to risk upsetting tummy again.  If the rice stays down, might go ahead and feed him normal at supper.  Right now he is sleeping on my bed, which is typical at this time.  LOL
When my boy does not go outside and bark at something (there is always something to bark at & squirrels to chase) then I know he is not feeling good at all. 

 

So how is your weather and what do you plan on working on today?

Latest Tatted Project

Have been spending alot of time tatting.  I think my crochet hooks are getting jealous.  LOL  I was working on what I call a snowflake.  The pattern says Base Motif #2.. I found on the internet and forgot to pin so I could offer a link.  I only printed and for some reason there was no printed url at bottom of page.  I hate when I do things like that.  I do have some boo boos but I am learning and also trying to make sure I work on tension.  I have problems with that the most.

 

Will take a small break and try to get some crocheting done.  I have a scarf exchange in Oct. with the ladies I meet with here at our local Books A Million.  If you happen to live in Lake Charles, Louisiana or close by, we meet every Thursday at 6:30 P.M.

 

Well I guess that is all for now.  Nothing new to report.  How are you spending your time??????

Frustrated:Learning from mistakes

I guess I will start at the beginning.  My daughter is in band and is in high school.  Her school band has been chosen to march in the 2013 Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.  So I have been on a quest as to ideas as to some small items I could make and sell.  I want to chaperon this trip.  The estimated cost per student is $900 this does not include food.  The kids will have tons of fundraisers between now and then.  But I need to try and raise my $900 plus extra for food.  Ok so I decided to make Carnival Earrings over at yarnplayertats.  So I loaded up my shuttle like she states for the beads.  I get he 1st ring made and notice my beads are not sitting like hers, and somehow my thread has twisted and my stitches are not sitting properly.  I try to undo the stitches to start over but was unable to do so.  So decided to trash and start over again.  Still not understanding why my beads do not sit properly, I started again.  This time I got to the point where I was adding the 9 beads and just could not figure out how to do it.  I have not added beads to rings so was a little confused, but after stopping and then thinking about the pattern and instructions, it hit me as to what I was doing wrong with beads and why they where not sitting properly.  The pattern says to slide up beads, which means when you are ready to start that ring you slide beads for that ring onto the thread that is held in your left hand.  I was sliding beads into place from shuttle which means they where on the shuttle thread when worked.  Soo once again I try to undo as many stitches as possible to save thread.  I am working with Lizbeth size #20 color #131 and is tiny thread.  I ended up cutting and removing my beads and starting all over.  So 3rd try is always a charm, right?  Well I did it, after all day I finially finished the 1 earring.  Came out pretty good too.  So to hide ends I decided I would knot like some of the others I have heard done.  Well I think I knoted wrong and after I cut the ends the knot came undone.  All that work done the drain.  Said a few words, decided to take break and catch up on my True Blood episodes.  So after I cooled down, decided okay need to find way to hide ends and had heard of few methods, so decided to visit youtube.  Good old youtube, such a wonderful place.  I found 2 videos that show how to hide beginning thread if just working with shuttle and also found video that shows how to hide your finished thread ending.  I hope this information helps you. I did take picture before taking apart to salavage beads and earring part.  Is rather hard to see the round bead in center, but it is a pearl in an ivory color.  Seedbeads are also ivory in color.  I did not have a teardrop bead for long loop so I added a few extra seedbeads.  Today I will attempt again and use the knowledge of hiding thread.