California Dreaming...

Wow! How things can change overnight! One day I'm shopping at Hobby Lobby and planning my next project, and the next day my whole life takes a new turn! My husband just got accepted into a new job in California and they want him to start working on Nov. 1st! That's less than three weeks away! So, needless to say I have not been updating this blog because I have been a busy, busy bee! I didn't want anyone to think that I've abandoned this blog, so I thought I'd better let you all know what's going on. For the next couple of weeks, I'll be sorting through everything in my house (from my kids' toys and clothes they've outgrown, to all of my knick knacks that have been stashed away in closets). We'll be downsizing big time! We're going to be selling our 4 bedroom house and moving in with friends out there until we can find a place of our own. Everything will be in storage and I may not have internet access for a couple of weeks. I've already donated tons of things to NCCS, and I am also Freecycling alot! So, if you don't hear from me for awhile, never fear! I will definitely be back as soon as we get settled in somewhere (hopefully by Thanksgiving)! My California Dreaming is becoming a reality! No more bitterly cold winters! Until next time...

SweaterBabe.com's FREE Scarf Pattern Download!

Can you believe it? Fall is just about officially here and who couldn't use a new comfy cozy scarf for the chilly days ahead? I know I could! Here's a gorgeous one that you won't want to miss! And the pattern is FREE!

Every month, a different knitting or crochet pattern will be downloadable for free for 2 weeks at SweaterBabe.com.

Only those subscribed to their Knitting or Crochet Newsletters will be notified of each month's free pattern offer, so go subscribe to take advantage!

ONLY 3 more days to download the free pattern for this month!

The Star Stitch Crochet Scarf Pattern - Click here to Download it now

Warm Up America

I've decided to participate in the WarmUpAmerica project this holiday season. You can find out more about it by clicking on this image to visit their site:
This is such a good cause, and I find it so relaxing and enjoyable to make the "squares"... It's also a great way to use all of those odds and ends of yarn that I've been accumulating! If any of you decide to participate in this ongoing project, I'd love to hear from you! I think their only rule is that the sections measure 7" x 9"... Kinda funny how I call them squares... I guess they're more like rectangles!

Are you knitting daily?

I just joined Knitting Daily this afternoon. It's the new online knitting (and crochet) community, pattern library, and newsletter brought to you by Interweave Press, publishers of Interweave Knits, Knitscene, Spin-Off, and Interweave Crochet magazines, as well as a lot of really cool knitting books. Best of all you can sign up for free!

They have tons of FREE patterns for members to download... and I found this humorous and all too true little article titled "Why Knit a Bag?" Now I LOVE handbags... so that caught my eye. I have already crocheted a handbag, so maybe I'll try knitting one next! They've got at least a dozen free bag patterns! There's even a whimsical "credit card bag"! So what are you waiting for? Sign up for your free membership today!

Monkey Baby Boutique Update!

I have been a "busy bee" lately... Staying up until all hours of the night... researching products, contacting companies, and working on stocking my inventory for my new online Baby Boutique! Nobody told me that this would be so time consuming! LOL But I'm loving every minute of it! And I can't wait to find the next "gotta have it" item to add to my store! I'm also definitely planning to incorporate my crochet into this project as well... I'm planning to list some of my crocheted stuffed toys (hmmm... wonder if I can make something similar to sock monkeys with my crocheting skills?), blankets, hats/caps, and more... (Time permitting!) Once I get my store a bit more stocked, I'll have time to relax a little and get back to working on some of my crochet projects!
I also started teaching myself how to knit, which I wrote about in some of my previous posts! Oh and by the way, I actually bought myself a pair of knitting needles yesterday! Yay! Bye-Bye chopsticks! LOL
Can you say I have a bit too much on my plate at the moment? Sometimes I wonder how I can even get half of it done! But, most of my work happens late at night after the kids are in bed. Anyways, I'm off to make lunch for the kids right now... I'll try to post more later today!

p.s. I received my first issue of Interweave Crochet magazine yesterday and there are some wonderful articles I'd like to share with you! If you scroll to the bottom of their page you can get a FREE TRIAL ISSUE! Until next time!

Stitch 'n Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker

Lacy, sexy summer tops. Chic, cozy sweaters. Chunky, funky hats and colorfully crafty afghans— it all starts with the single, simple act of wrapping a hook around a strand of yarn. Then come the stitches, the flourishes, the unlimited creativity. Stylish, cheeky in tone, chock-full of information and inspiration, this is the indispensable guide. Learn the skills. Speak the lingo. Make the stuff. And give old granny square a chance. Click the image below for more info.

The Crochet Answer Book

This book has Solutions to Every Problem You'll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You'll Ever Ask! I highly recommend this book as it is one of my favorites and it has helped me countless times out of jams! Just click on the image for more info!






Wouldn't it boost your confidence to have an experienced and confident crocheter on call, day and night, offering assistance when needed? Most of us aren't fortunate enough to have that kind of aid, but now there is help available 24/7 with The Crochet Answer Book. Being a good crocheter is not about making perfectly stitched, elaborate, artful creations. It is rather a matter of confidence. You need to be confident in what you are doing and in how to figure out what to do if things aren't going quite right. Understanding why you do certain things and why they turn out the way they do increases confidence and leads to successful crocheting. This book answers some of the most common questions crocheters have, and anticipates some questions you didn't know you had. The Crochet Answer Book will lead you down the road to gaining the confidence that makes for good crocheting.