Long Time...

Well hello everyone. I just realized I haven't posted since 2009... and it's now 2013...Yes, I'm slacking.

So a lot has happened since my last post. I had actually quit knitting and crocheting for a while, and within the last year, have picked it back up. I am now a professional photographer, and I own a business of selling various items I have made. My biggest accomplishment lately is my critter/character hats. They seem to be a big hit. I also make weighted blankets for Autistic children, and for those who have restless legs, decorative travel wipes containers, hair accessories, and accessory holders of all types. I have also decided to get into writing down and listing my patterns on Etsy.

I decided to set a goal for this year...

I have soooo many unfinished projects that need worked on, badly. My attic is filling fast with totes of unfinished knitting, crochet, and sewing projects that were started many moons ago, and my husband is not so thrilled. So once my list of current hat orders are complete, the destash of unfinished projects begins. I can see this being fun -_-

My current OTN project is a knitted scarf/hat combo. I have made a couple that were crocheted, and honestly, they were a pain... so I decided to knit this one instead. Hoping the customer is happy with it. I will post a pic when it is finished.

So I'm off to finish this hat. I have until Monday to have it finished. Have a great evening folks. 

winter

Ugh. It is way too cold outside. But Im not complaining too bad. I havent had much of a chance to knit or crochet due to moving and classes. But classes are over and Im almost finished moving. Im down to 3/4 days a week working, and I am able to take what I work on with me so I cant complain. So far I have crocheted a hat. I was wanting to knit and crochet a bunch of hats to give to interchurch and salvation army for needy people, and get rid of my excess yarn. Eventually I will hopefully accomplish this,lol. I have a couple of works in progress. I am working on a hooded baby blanket and a large single granny square blanket. But once things get settled down, Im going to get things rolling again. Well, Im off for now. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

The Best Part of Waking Up.....

Is a nice hot cup of Maxwell House...Lol.

It is 9:30 in the morning. I actually woke up at like 8:15, but am still dragging. The kids got cute and decided to wake up at 2:30 this morning. All 4 of them...So now my daughter has bags under her eyes worse than I do, and she's 4.

I have been slacking alot on my blogging. I know, shame on me. In the wonderful world of knitting and crocheting, I have been slacking just as much. I ended up giving refunds to customers because I just have been to blah lately to even want to crochet or knit. My website is almost finished. I am excited about it. Its turning out great. The site is currently under construction, but everyone can go for a preview at www.studioldc.com/madelinegrace/index.html


I am going to clean the house today. But it isnt going to be your typical "cleaning"... I am actually doing my "spring cleaning" today. Joy!!!! So I am off for now :)

The wonderful world of needlecraft

I have been so busy the last month working on baby items. I am very proud of myself. I have built up quite a collection. I have completed one custom order for a lady on Etsy. She wanted a newborn hat, done in an oatmeal colored cotton. So I made one, and got 8 bucks out of it. I also have a local custom order for 2 baby blankets for a lady who came into where I work, and saw what I was working on. She is giving me 30 bucks for a blue and white shell baby blanket, and a yellow and white shell baby blanket.

I still feel somehow like I have shorted myself with this order though. But in one aspect, I guess I cant complain, because I am making these with yarn that I already have and so I dont really have to go out and spend the money to get materials for them.

So now here are some pictures of some recently completed projects:

Knitted Lilac Heart Dishcloth

My little haybug, modeling my newest project. I had bought a pattern from http://www.justcrochet.com/ and it was to be a little sweater, pants,booties and a bonnet, for a 0 to 3 month baby....and as you see, it is kinda bigger than that,lol. My 4 year old fit the sweater fine. I also modified the pattern, so instead of it being long sleeved, it is a cap sleeved, with purple edging. I am still working on the pants.

My beautiful Lace Halter. I bought the pattern for this at http://www.luv2crochet.com/ . Chelle has some absolutely beautiful designs, and I will be purchasing more here really soon :)

And this is my very own design....which is a first, and hopefully not last, for me. I actually came up with this when a customer on Etsy was being very picky and didnt like any of the halter patterns I showed her, and got rude really quick. So I got rude back. I spent a lot of time trying to find something for her, and designed this,just for her to turn it down. Was not happy!

Currently OTN/HOOK:

1. Matching pants for sweater

2. Cotton Shells Baby Blanket

3. Adult sized halter top

I am slowly getting the things built up so I can do at least one craft show this year.

So I am off here for now... :)

MIA

Ok. I totally have went off my whole new years thing, and have yet to continuosly post on here,lol.

Not much has gone on. I moved....if thats what you really want to call it. My neighbor and her husband split up and he moved out, so she asked me to switch apartments. So she has my old small apartment, and i have this GI-normous apartment downstairs. Pure awesomeness!!! 2 bedrooms on the main level, and a 3rd bedroom in the basement, plus 2 full baths. The basement has a "second" living room, a.k.a the bar/game room as it has a bar in it...hehe!

I actually have space for my crafts. But what Im even more excited about is that I got my skip stitch blade and rotary cutter in the mail the other day. Now I can start making my fleece blankets with crocheted edges around them. A great way to still be able to crochet, but have a quick project at the same time, since blankets tend to be time consuming.

Well, Im off to unpack some more and put things away. Happy valentines day to everyone :)

new year resolutions

So its the new year...and I have decided to think of a list...like everyone else does at the beginning of a new year. So here it goes:

Im actually going to try to post more than one blog a month... I was looking at the archives, and my blog was pitiful last year!

I am going to try to complete every project I start...I am soooo bad for starting a project, and never finishing it, or not finishing until 6 months after I start it...wish me luck,lol.

I have a goal of signing up for at least one craft show this year...and having enough projects to sell/present.

Get my STNA certification. I will do my best to get it this year. I want to go back to aid work so bad...

Lose a little weight(and sure enough...i am all gung ho for this,as I sit here eating oreo pudding...and come december 31st I will be thinking of how much I am going to try and lose for next year!!) Seriously, I do need to lose some weight. I'm almost positive it will help me breathe better and my hips and back wont bother me so much. No Im not ginormously huge or anything....but I am still overweight. I know I wont be the glorious size 4 I once was, but a size 8/9 would be rather nice.

Let things bother me less. Generally I am a pretty quiet person...but there are some things that drive me crazy....like kids being in my kitchen! I'm sorry, but when I was growing up, the kitchen was were us kids did homework, or ate.... and it was were the adults hung out to play cards and talk. Other than that, the kitchen was off limits...now kids think its the playroom because parents could care less..... But Im going to try to lay off, and not be so much of a meanie,lol.

Well...so far thats my list....I am going to say though, I am proud of myself. Last year, one of my goals was to have a job for the whole year...and I did it. For the first time in my life, from Jan.1 2008 to now, I have not went a day during the year without a job. I have been steadily working since September 2007 to now. And hopefully I can continue that.

my first Etsy listing!

I am so happy. I got my Etsy shop up and running, and listed my first item. I got my blanket done today and listed it. I am going to make a matching hat tonight and list it probably when I get off work tomorrow.

Here is the finished project:

buy handmade

So I made the pledge to buy handmade today. The site is http://www.buyhandmade.org/ and you put in your pledge that you will buy handmade items, and request that your family and friends do the same.

I think it is an awesome idea. I mean, how many of you knitters and crocheters have gone to an expensive store, and saw a sweater, and instantly thought "I could make that for half the price!"? Seriously, if more people bought handmade, it would be cheaper,greener,and it shows people that your gift was from the heart, because you are taking the time to pick a special handmade gift for whomever.

And for us people who make handmade things, it is good for us to, because it gives us a chance to show off what we can do, and get more people interested in what we have to offer.

I am almost finished with the baby blanket I am working on. About 6 more rows, than I have to do the border and make the braids. I can't wait to post the photos!

It's Christmas!

Well, Christmas Eve. I went shopping today,just for some basic needs, and OMG!! Traffic was flippin' CRAZY! So I did what I could to get out of there quick, which is a rarity, because when I go to WalMart, I'm there forever. What can I say, it's one of my favorite stores.

Here is a picture of my latest project. I can't wait to finish it. I'm going to list it in my Etsy shop. Hopefully I can make a little extra cash and get my things sold.

Hope everyone has a safe and merry christmas:)

project photos

my knitfy knitter scarf. It is about halfway done. I didnt think it would work up this quickly. Its kinda nice when you want to do something kinda quick.

Here is what I have gotten done of the eagle. Only a little bit left to go!!

I had to modify the head a little bit, but I think it turned out alright, considering it is my first major graph I have done.

Busy month

I hate December. Well, I guess I wont say I hate it, but it is just way to busy for my liking. Too much to do and not enough time to do it.

My daughters birthday is tomorrow. Ms.Erinn will be 6. So I was going to get her a Wii or a nintendo DS for her birthday, but we decided to get her a phone. Yeah, so I can hear you other parents of 6 year old children gasp "Oh my god you got a 6 yr. old a phone? What kind of a mom are you?"

So here's my theory.... Wii system $265.44....Nintendo DS 175 bucks(Wal Mart website you can buy a bundle pack....just the system is like 129.00). Say she decides to get cute and breaks either one....I am out a nice chunk of change. So my husband suggests getting her a phone. With the restrictions, she can only talk to family. And I have it set to where she can only use her phone during certain times of the day. Plus if something does happen to it...I don't have to go back to the store, wait in line, and put the smack down on someone over a friggin game system, because it just happens to be the last one in stock. I call insurance, make a claim, pay a lousy 50 bucks and get a phone next day....Much easier. It in a sense teaches her a little responsibility, plus if she is at a friends house, and needs to reach me or her dad, she can.

So I guess if me wanting to teach my 6 year old some responsibility is wrong, than I guess that constitutes me as a bad mom. Boo-Hoo.

So I'm about 20 rows away from being finished with the eagle on the blanket. I have to add on both the top and bottom to make it blanket size, or its going to be good enough to be a wall hanging. I doubt it will happen, but I'd like to have it done for Christmas. I am also working on some hats for the kids and my niece. I also got me one of those knifty knitter long loom sets. I am working on a scarf right now. I am about halfway finished with it. It works up quick.

So if I don't get to post before Christmas...hope its great for everyone.

Thanksgiving

So it is thanksgiving. I got the day off work, but get to go tomorrow, but it is after the sale, so I am not going to complain too much.

About 2 weeks ago, my kids and I are in the living room, watching Noggin. Zee and Moose are talking about what they are thankful for. So I ask my youngest daughter, "Hailey, what are you thankful for ?"

"Apples"

"You're thankful for apples?"

"Yes, apples."

Trying not to laugh out loud, I ask my other daughter, " Erinn, what are you thankful for?"

"My family. Mommy,daddy, grandma julie,grandpa matt,etc......"

We have a lot of people in our family,lol.

Before I even say anything else, I hear "Mommy what are you thanksful for?"

I chuckle..."You and sissy,and Roo and Daddy. I am thankful for everything I have."

I can honestly say, kids have a way of making you feel thankful for what you have. It is amazing what children can do to even the grumpiest person. You can have the worst day in the world, and just a simple smile can make it all better. I love it.

Happy thanksgiving.

work

I havent had much of a chance to post. I got a job at walmart(yay!) So I have succombed to the joys of running around a store like a chicken with my head cut off, trying to smile and not snap at angry customers, and 9 hour shifts. All for a mere 8 bucks an hour. All because I do not have my STNA yet, so I cant get into any of the other nursing homes around here. I am in school for medical billing, but really want to be a nurse. I am supposed to go for a meeting at COTC on the 9th, so I can find out the prereq's for the ADN(associates degree in nursing). If I can get my ACT or SAT's done soon, I can get into the college of nursing I want to go to, and I can get my Bachelors Degree in nursing in 3 years instead of 4.

Anyway, I have started 2 projects. I had a third, but I think I am just going to take it apart. I am making a shawl for a former resident, and a baby blanket, that hopefully I can give to a friend of mine,if she has a girl....fingers crossed :)

So I am off here for now, going to bed just for another days work tomorrow. Cant wait...and if you believe that, I'll tell you another one.

stuck!

I am stuck. I am trying to upload a video on youtube. I successfully uploaded the video, but don't get any sound out of it. Any suggestions? And I keep downloading quicktime for real player, and it tells me that real player needs an update, which is quick time, but it still wont play!!

Maybe Im just not set out for uploading videos....

I finished the mittens. I gave them to Macyn yesterday along with the hat. She was so happy. I am continuing to work on the eagle blanket. I so wish I would just get it done already!!! I hate single crocheting. It takes forever. But hopefully I can get it done this week. The extra money for christmas would be nice.

Here is an update on projects....
This is the eagle blanket I am working on. It is a sideways view, as I was using the camera on my phone....

This is a pair of mittens I am working on. I got the pattern from www.bevscountrycottage.com. It is a great pattern, because you can work both mittens at the same time. I love it.

And this is the hat I made while I was at work on Saturday. It also came from Bevs Country Cottage. Her site is great site, because it has so many free patterns.

I am making the hat and mittens for my niece Macyn, as a belated birthday gift. She is a halloween baby, and I didnt have the money on her birthday to get her a gift. So the set should be perfect for her. I am also trying to use up excess yarn that I have, so I am making more hats and mittens, and donating them to Interchurch and Salvation Army, for kids who dont have any.

I took a small break from the eagle blanket to work on some of the hats and mittens. I know it is probably a bad idea, since I really have a severe case of knitters ADD, but I promise I wont stay off track too long :)

excited

So I decided that I am going to start a video series on youTube. Yeah, I know, everyone and their brother have the same thing, and mine isnt anything new. But I am going to post these on my blog. Of course, its a knitting/crochet video series. I have a palm centro, so I am going to use it to my advantage.

So I joined this site, called mom bloggers club. Im guessing it is a site for moms(hence the word "mom") that blog. I really like it.

I got stuck working today. It isnt my weekend to work, so Im not that happy. But in the same aspect it adds 8 hours to my normally 20 hours every 2 weeks paycheck. For those of you who dont know, I am a laundromat attendant. It is a decent job, because I literally get paid to sit on my butt. I am aloud to work on my projects, and I can take my laptop, and I can have my kids,or my friends at work with me. Couldnt ask for a better job.

So I am halfway done with the eagle blanket. I am about 5 rows away from the head of the eagle. Yay!! I cant wait to get this done and get it sold. I just hope the person who is supposed to buy it doesnt back out. I wont be happy.

sick

Ugh! I have not been sick(flu type)in almost 2 years. So low and behold, I am currently sitting on my couch, feeling like I have been hit by a mac truck. Last night I started getting sick, and then the girls both got sick too. I love being sick, and having to take care of sick ones as well, not!!

Today wasnt so bad. I just ached all over. And I still do. But hey life goes on.

So I have a job interview at Wal Mart tomorrow. I am kinda excited. No it isnt really the type of job I want, but until I graduate college, its what I have to deal with. So hopefully I get the job.

I might work on my project. Just havent decided yet. A hot bath and bed sounds better.

Cold

It is really cold out today, and kinda gloomy. So here I sit on my new loveseat...I got a new couch too. I love it. The love seat has two recliners on it. So I have my new comfy spot when I knit and crochet,or play guitar hero,lol.

I havent worked much on my projects. I actually went through all of my craft totes Friday evening, and have reduced my stash from over 4 totes, down to 2 totes. I took apart most of my projects, except for 2, and all the tangled yucky yarn got pitched and the yarn I knew I would never use, I gave away. So now I have one large tote with yarn, and a tote for projects, and now I just need to go through all of my books, and weed out what I will never use. I literally have books that I bought just for one project in it. So yeah, time to go through them,lol.

I am currently working on my eagle afghan. It is turning out pretty good. It is my first big chart afghan, so I am kinda proud. After I get finished with it, I have one more blanket I need to finish. Then I can get started on the pair of socks I want to make for a resident at the nursing home I used to work at.

projects

I know this is probably some sort of "sin" for a crafter to say, but I can honestly say I am getting bored with my latest project already. Call me weird, but I guess I never have been into the big projects. I get bored with them easily, and have a tendancy to put it aside to start a new one. But I know I can't on this one, because I am getting paid for it.

I don't really know what to charge though. I know the project is 177 sts across and approx. 100 rows, give or take a few. It isnt going to cost me much to make it, but it is going to take some time. At this moment I have around 6 rows done. I think the toughest part of this will be the eagle. hopefully it turns out good.

well i am off to grab a bite to eat. then i will attempt to work some more on this "great" project of mine.

finished

so my blanket is now finished.

it took me almost a year,lol. but it's finally done. and now i am working on my next project, which is a paid project. my neighbors dad saw the train blanket, and said he wanted one with an eagle, and he would pay me for it. so i found a good chart with an eagle, and created a pattern with it. hopefully i can get it done in a fair amount of time.

but i am going to get back to working on the new project. hope everyone has a great evening.