Karibu - Welcome

Crochet African Flowers

New skill that I learned last week - to crochet African Flower. Basically, it is the same as Granny Square but made as hexagon.

Crochet Pattern

Abbreviations:
sl knot = slip knot
st = stitch
ss = slip stitch (to fasten)
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
fo = fasten off
Rnd = round

Base Round – sl knot, ch 6, ss into first ch to make a ring.
Rnd 1 – ch 3, 1 dc, ch1, *2 dc, ch1, * repeat until you have six spaces and six 2dc. ss to the 3rd chain of the beginning round. fo
Rnd 2 – Change color: Start in a space. ch 5, 2 dc in same space, *ch1, 2 dc, ch2, 2 dc in next space – repeat * 5 times, 1 dc and ss into the 3rd ch of the beginning round.
Rnd 3 – ch3, dc6 in the 2-ch space, ch1, * dc7 in next 2-ch space, ch1, repeat * 5 times. ss the 3rd ch of the beginning round. fo.
Rnd 4 – New color: ch1, sc around and make a long stitch down in round 2 between each flower petal. End with ss. fo.

I found that, in the base round, it is easier to use "magic ring" than "ch 6". You can check youtube for instructions. Try "magic ring" or "magic circle" or "magic loop".

All Things Burlap

New treasury - All Things Burlap - by LaBelleParties

Sorry for not posting for almost a week, I started my job training Monday - Friday 8am to 4pm. Feels like I was in another universe whole week. Just now looked into my activity log and found this awesome treasury "All Things Burlap." My personal favorite is the vintage-looking journal.

Crochet flowers

Last few days I learned a few new (for me) techniques for crocheting flowers and hearts. I am seriously thinking of creating a new category in my Etsy store, something like "crocheted appliques". Though I have one concern - I really need to move beyond red-pink-white.

Sunny days are so rare ...

... in Southern California. In the middle of June, on the last day of school, my daughter wore boots and a sweater. Well, it was raining earlier this morning (and yesterday morning), and the temperature was 58F. After 10am it cleared a bit and I went to the lagoon to take a few pictures. After some "photoshopping" the pictures don't look that gloomy.

New feature on Etsy!

They added a new link that shows how many treasures an item was featured in, very convenient.

My treasury of Orange County

Yes, all sellers featured in this treasury are from Orange County, CA

Meet a new Friend!

Meet Audrey, the owner of thechristmascorner store on Etsy, it is never too early to prepare for Christmas!

Also, Audrey has this very yummy blog http://audreyscountrycrafts.blogspot.com/, her recipes look easy and very delicious.

Granny Squares... Not So Square

Do you remember that "Granny Squares" throw blanket that I finished just a few days ago? Look just two posts below.... So, that blanket made into a treasury. My personal favorite item from that treasury is the Halterneck Dress. I've got a rush to make one similar... 

Meet a new Friend!

Meet Emily, the owner of whichgoose shop on Etsy

When I showed this shop to my 16 years old daughter, she went completely crazy. She said it was 100% her style and she loved everything. I absolutely agree with my daughter, Emily makes most romantic accessories, simply out-of-this-world and out-of-this-time.

Besides the Etsy store Emily has a blog whichgoose.blogspot.com that features amazing photography, you just've got to check it out.

Granny squares blanket

That was the longest project that I've ever worked on - over 40 hours!
(click the picture to go to Etsy listing)

Meet a new Friend!

Meet Lisa, the owner of http://petitetuques.com/ and PetiteTuques on Etsy.

If you've ever thought about learning new knitting techniques, Lisa's blog will be a gold mine for you. She's got not just patterns but videos too!

How did they do that?

I just couldn't stay away, had to copy those "signatures"

´*•.¸(´*•.¸♥¸.•*´)¸.•*´
..♥•.*Amazing*.•♥.. 
¸.•*´(¸.•*´♥´*•.¸)´*•.¸



♥
(¯`v´¯)
.`•.¸.•´ ★WONDERFUL
¸.•´.•´¨) ¸.•¨)
(¸.•´(¸.•´ (¸.•¨¯`* ♥


*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•` ¤ So Lovely


░L░O░V░E░L░Y░


I hope it can be viewed on all browsers.

Week of treasures!

It has been a few days since the last post. And the news are:
1. It is almost the end of the school year! Every morning when I walk my youngest daughter to school, our cross-walk guard gives me the count-down..."six more days"..."five more days"... . It kind of sounds odd when she says that to every one "five more days, five more days, five more days", makes me wonder about level of her job satisfaction.
2. My endless "granny squares blanket" project is getting closer to its natural end. I mean, this morning my husband asked "How big are you going to make it?" I said "Till I am out of yarn." I would give it 2-3 more days (nights!)

Anyway, my items were featured in 2 more treasures below:

Pure Crochet by simplysweetcrafts10

On Sale by reflectsthemoon

Inspired by ~ Chicken Run

Very interesting choice by katecojewelry

Also, a couple of stores are having sales today:

WowWall - Wall Art Decal specials

carolinascreations - all jewelry on clearance!

Feeling a bit odd... - treasury by madistreasures

 

"Granny squares" project

Few days ago I learned how to crochet "granny squares". After I put a few squares together I decided to keep going untill the progect is size of blanket/throw/cover. So, here I am now:

Turns out making something with "granny squares" is very time consuming. The worst part is waving ends in, a LOT of ends to wave in. To crochet just that much took me watching 3 episodes of "Supernatural", thank you DVR. Last episode that I watched was extremely creepy, when some nasty poltergeist came out of a little girl's closet. Then Sam and Dean's mother (or her spirit) came to save all of them.

Anyway, what is good about "granny squares" is that you can use all bits and ends of yarn left over from other projects.

Memorial day sales - all handmade

TIMO-HANDMADE studio's online store

HCL Treasures - Scrabble Tile Creations



SweetPeaAndFayCrazy-Insane Pigments, and Other Cosmetics of the Sort

Dominique Ansari's Boutique, Luxury Knitwear & Swimwear

Down By The Sea - treasury on Etsy

Thinking of a vacation, and I seem to be not the only one. Tiffany - TiffanyDeMichele - created this fantastic treasury.