Tic Tac Toe: Spring Edition

For my second Pay It Forward gift, I made the same Tic Tac Toe board, but because I hated making the X's I needed a new theme. The flowers and butterflies make it very springlike and I absolutely LOVE the color combination for this one. It's just gorgeous.

 

A closeup of the flower applique piece

 

A closeup of the butterfly applique piece

Details: The board: Ch 35, sc in second ch from hook and each chain across. Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across. Repeat until the board is approximately 10" x 10". Using contrasting color, evenly stitch lines to make the squares. Join two stitches from a corner, sc across to corner, sc 3 in corner sc, repeat for each side, joining with a slst to first sc. Pattern for flower applique is here. Pattern for butterfly applique is here.

Tic Tac Toe

Here is the first of my Pay It Forward projects to be completed. Tic Tac Toe! I got the idea from a Lion Brand pattern, but it seemed so complicated and there was so much sewing involved I got nervous. I looked on Ravelry at some of the other people who had modified and went with an idea they had given me. In the end, it's all improvised by me. The "board" is approximately 10" x 10". I'm not satisfied with the X pattern, so for the next project I plan to change it.

Pay It Forward Update

Two projects partially done!

Super Secret Gift One

This is the beginning of the first of the five Pay-It-Forward gifts. This is also an example of single crochet, in case you were wondering.

Washcloth Bunnies

I needed a last minute baby shower gift and luckily I remembered I had made a washcloth with some super plush yarn. So I grabbed some Lily Sugar and Cream in Faded Denim and made a companion washcloth. Then I folded/rolled them into bunny shapes and tied them with ribbons. The pattern and directions for bunny shaping can be found here.

Stumbling Blocks

Sometimes I go to crochet something and I'm just not into it. I've started quite a few projects and midway through I'm just...over them. A couple have taken hours of my time and they're currently just sitting in the barn (aka, the living room that is now my craft storage room) waiting for completion. Someday, I hope to finish these projects. Today is not that day.

Right now, I have five projects on my docket. They are for a Pay-It-Forward event. I am completely stumped as to what to make these people. They have seen what I am capable of and are therefore expecting something awesome. However, I'm sitting here thinking - What in the world can I make for 5 different people, who have 5 different personalities, that is completely awesome, but is easy, cheap, and quick?

So, that's what this post is about. I'm baffled. I'm stumped. I've hit a few stumbling blocks. And I'm wondering why in the world I signed up for this.

At some point, I will definitely post pictures of my un-finished wips (works in progress) so that you can be amazed. But for now, I'm sitting here thinking about how insanely hard it is to turn a crocheted sphere into a doll's head. Hair is annoying.

Also, going into the Ravelry.com pattern search and just going through countless patterns is not helping me narrow down my search.

I am frustrated.

-cr

Birds Filled With Anger

Crocheting critters is called Amigurumi (Japanese for Crochet Animals). These are some of my favorite Amis because they are obviously recognizable from a certain game played on cellular devices. Unfortunately, the person who wrote the patterns for these bad boys got a cease and desist from the people who are making millions of dollars off the games, so she can't sell the patterns anymore, and absolutely no one can sell the Amis they make. So, yes I was able to get the patterns before they became persona non grata, and sadly no, I cannot risk my monetary future by providing them to anyone else. These Amis are not for sale, but they did make great birthday presents.

Scarves

Scarves and stuffed animals for the Not-Nieces-Because-They're-Cousins. I was actually pretty amazed how well they matched since I bought the yarn and the animals separately. The scarves are made of Lily Sugar & Cream variegated yarns.

This is the One-Hour-Scarf, a pattern I found on Ravelry. I probably shouldn't have used such bulky yarn (I used Softee Chunky) because it uses three strands held together. Its really pretty, but it is definitely warm. Probably just a little too warm for the San Diego climate.

I call this the Seahawk Peacock Scarf. I made it for the 2011 Pay-It-Forward gift exchange. It's one of my favorite scarves because it's simple and fast, but looks gorgeous.

Afghans Take Forever!

I made this lapghan for my Grandma for Christmas. It's based on the Carson City Baby Afghan pattern, using Loops and Threads Impeccable Big! yarn.

And this is the Carson City Baby afghan I made for my friend Sarah's baby. I modified it a bit because the pattern makes an insanely small afghan. I made this one with Lion Brand Baby's First yarn. It's super soft and really big, which makes for quick work, but it splits pretty easily and hiding ends on this afghan was a nightmare.

New Year, New Blog

So, I've had a blog over on a different blog site (cough:wordpress:cough) but it seems like more of the blogs I interact with are on blogger/blogspot, so it's easier to connect and follow them by jumping ship. So, to blogger/blogspot I jump. I'm really really going to post stuff here, and not let this fabulous blog just sit there taking up server space like the other blog. I promise. ;) Of course, it'll take me a bit to get used to this place. Everything's so blue and easy...I'm confused. So, forgive me for looking rather bland and un-hip at the moment. I'm under construction.

-cr