Gardening

Matthew and I worked hard on our garden this past summer. It was something we enjoyed doing together. And not TOO expensive. Sadly, we have let the weeds grow a bit, but I know our lovely plants will do well after we take some time to tend to them again. I took a bunch of pictures over the few weeks that we spent really tending to the yard -- here are some of them!

We grew these. I'm still in awe!

 

 

Not necessarily my garden, but this is how I save some of the herbs that I have grown. Basically, you freeze them in oil, water, or butter, and then you can just pull out whenever you need "fresh" herbs. It's great for having real herbs during winter months. I shared the step by step process at NewlyWife.



 

 

Totally unrelated, my friend sent me this adorable picture of her son with the blanket that I made for him. How precious, right?!

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Gallery Wall

Matt and I have been working on this entryway gallery wall for quite some time. I put the finishing touches on, just in time for his graduation party! I just realize that you cannot see the whole effect because of the Instagram crop. Oh well. I shall see if I can find another. I am so happy with the final look though. We have some great family pics from many years up there. And they are all "matted." I did most of the matting with cardstock and / or posterboard. It's cheaper, and we do what we can!

The making of fire cookies...

Leftover sangria definitely needs a place in my fridge!

Done any fun decorating in your house recently? Do you think a sangria dispenser is a must in your fridge?

Doilies

A few weeks ago, I was asked to crochet a bunch of doilies for a friend.  This is a huge paid order for me, so I'm pretty excited.  I'm also trying to stay motivated and just get them done!  I started with the two tiny doilies, they are only 4 inches across, but I love em!  Three of the doilies are for her daughter, and those are the purple variagated thread, but the rest are white.  Here are three recently finished doilies...

This first picture is to show what a difference blocking and starching make.  The doily on the left is blocked and starched.  The one on the right is not.  Once I block it (basically stretch it into the exact shape it should be with pins) and starch (ironing with starch) they will be identical.  So fun!  The pattern is Tea Time by Denise Augostine.

You find more about the easy doily and other completed projects in the completed projects page,  on top.  :)

Easy Doily

Finally!  I have pictures to share with you!  This doily was definitely a labor of love.  I still think it is a bit wonky, but I love it nonetheless.  Also, I'm not sure I can part with it (because it is supposed to be a gift)! So here is the reveal of September 17th's Easy Doily...

It actually ended up way larger than I thought it would be.  You can see the penny next to it in the below picture.... crazy, right?

I am so excited to have this finished.  And I think I'm officially crazy, because, as you all know, I started a new one.  The pattern for the easy doily was 27 rounds, the current doily pattern [September 4: Oh! Danny Boy] is a mere 14... and I'm already on 12!

Just in case you are interested, you can check out my project page on Ravelry.

November 17: Crochet Bowl

Pattern # 321:  Crochet Bowl

This pattern is from Laura over at Mountain Mama.  And, in case you were wondering, yes, she is giving away a pattern here later today.

Picture from Mountain Mama:

November 7: 8 Point Star Doily - COMPLETED

Pattern # 311:  8 Point Star Doily

This is just another sweet doily pattern.  I am definitely going to keep some of these for myself!

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Updated September 18, 2011:  I finished this in about three days. A friend requested one in a seventeen inch size.  This was just ten inches shy. haha  But its seven inch diameter is perfect!  I love how it turned out. If she does not want the small one, I will keep it for our house!  I used size 10 ecru colored crochet thread.  And now, the pictures!

November 1: Pumpkin Patch Pillow

Pattern # 305:  Pumpkin Patch Pillow

This fun pattern from Michele Wilcox is perfect to spruce up your house for the season.

Picture from Hooked on Crochet / Michele Wilcox:

October 22: Rose Doily #804

Pattern # 295:  Rose Doily #804

This is the last of our doily patterns, for now!  I found this during my searc for doilies for my mom back in September.  How fun are the 3D roses?

Picture from Celt's Vintage Crochet:

October 7: Comet's Tail Doily - COMPLETED

Pattern # 280:  Comet's Tail Doily

Today is my Mom's birthday!  Happy Birthday to my wonderful Mother!  This pattern was inspired by her, as she asked for doilys.  And yes, I still have yet to make one. But I have a good excuse.  I have been very busy working on tomorrow's pattern!

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Updated April 1, 2013: This doily is gorgeous. I was afraid it wouldn't lay out straight, but a hot iron + starch did the trick. I could have blocked it, but I'm lazy. Still, it's a beaut! I think it's going to be a Christmas or birthday gift for someone special!

September 25: Midsummer Moon Doily - COMPLETED

Pattern # 268:  Midsummer Moon Doily

It's our last doily pattern.  I do have something fun lined up for next week. Okay, so it's just another week of beanies. But I'm thinking of doing some giveaways.  What do you think?  Would you be interested in that??

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Updated 8/23/2011:  This bad boy is finished.  It only took me about a month, off and on.   I love how it turned out, but I should have blocked it better.  Oh well.  Iron and starch will do wonders when Easter arrives and it is time for it to be on display again.  :)

September 24: Touch of Irish Doily

Pattern # 267:  Touch of Irish Doily

Oh how I love doilys.  Can you tell?  Now -- I just need to courage to make some!  My time is currently occupied by baby booties (they are supposed to look like motorcycle boots for my friend's baby's Halloween costume) and a blanket (a Christmas request from the in-laws... see, I'm getting started early!).

Picture from Jacqui Cunningham:

September 23: Spider Web Doily #2 - COMPLETED

Pattern # 266:  Spider Web Doily #2

I just realized that it is only 13 weeks until Christmas.  Wow.  That means I have a lot of crocheting to do and a little time.  Okay, a lot of time.  But I feel like I have TONS to crochet.  And in case you were wondering, I still have a few years to complete projects from all of the patterns on the blog.  When I started, I knew I would not be able to complete a crocheted item every day.  Maybe if I wasn't working.  Or being a wife.  Or... yeah.... lots of things get in the way.  So I gave myself this year to post a pattern every single day, and then until 2014 to have everything completed.  So my first year of crocheted goodness is almost done, and I will have 4 years left once 2011 begins!!  It would be AWESOME if I could finish by like 2012, but I doubt it!

Other random thoughts.  I was thinking of doing a crochet-along.  I did one for the La Push! Blanket and really enjoyed it.  I liked having a deadline.  I also think it would be a fun way for us to get to know each other better.  What do you all think?  I plan to make it something easy, like an ornament or fall decoration.  But I'm not sure.  Would you be interested? Do you have any pattern ideas?  Let me know in the comments!

Oh yeah, and today's pattern is a sweet little doily!  :)

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Updated 3/23/2011:  It is finished!  I love how this doily came out!  And I definitely prefer the spiderweb type doily to the pineapple.  It takes so much less time! haha

September 22: Hearts Doily - COMPLETED

Pattern # 265:  Hearts Doily

I love hearts.  It's just a fact.  So it makes sense that I would love this doily!  What about you?  Do you love hearts too?  Or is a certain type of flower more your thing?

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Updated on August 1, 2104: This doily was the perfect plane project. I crocheted it on my way to Chicago and back. It turned out super cute. I love the rows of hearts! As always, blocking just makes each part (the hearts and the pineapples) stand out so much better!

September 21: Cluster Stitch Doily - COMPLETED

Pattern # 264:  Cluster Stitch Doily

How gorgeous is this bad boy?  Very gorgeous, very intricate.  I tried to pick up my hook and make one of these, but chickened out.  I blamed the head cold, said I could not process such tiny stitches.. hehe
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Updated 3/21/2013: I finished this last October. It was a birthady gift for my mom. She loves it. It did take me forever to finish it, but I am really happy with how it turned out. The pictures do not do it justice!

 

 

September 20: Green Leaf Doily

Pattern # 263:  Green Leaf Doily

I love the way the two colors are entertwined in this project (the white or neutral background doily, and the soft green leaves).  So very fetch!  Sorry the picture is kinda crappy -- means I need to get mine done soon!

Picture from Craftown: