Treasure Hunting...

Yesterday afternoon we took a little trip to one of our local thrift shops.... 

The sign outside says antiques...

But, most of the merchandise is from 40's, 50's, 60's, and 70's.  

I did come across two lovelies that I found quite inspiring...

And close-up...

"One of these days", I'd love to make an heirloom tablecloth like one of these.  Can you imagine the time that went into making something of this caliber?  Both were under $100...the more intricate one was $79 and the other was $55...

We didn't bring home any "treasures" from our adventure, but it was fun to look around.  

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

HDP

Serene Prayer Shawl or Wrap

I finished up the prayer shawl I was making last night, but needed to wait until daylight to get some photos...

The pattern for the shawl can be found in The Crocheted Prayer Shawl Companion.  I really liked the pattern and it worked up quickly.  

I did modify the border of the shawl, just playing around with some stitches, but I didn't write anything down...

I used a larger hook than called for which gives the stitches the more open look.  

I'm calling it Serene...

I envision the recipient wrapping it around her shoulders as she reads a book, studies her bible, or in the evening as she watches a favorite TV program...

I hope the warmth of the color will express the warmth of my feelings toward her and the shawl a hug that cannot take place due to the distance between us.  

Made with love...

HDP

Reverse Single Crochet Tutorial

I've had a lot of people ask me about reverse single crochet (abbreviated rev sc or rsc; I've seen it both ways), also known as the crab stitch.  

It is a bit of an awkward stitch at first, but once you get the hang of it, is really quite easy.  What makes it so awkward is that it is worked the opposite way we typically crochet.  The stitch is worked backwards; or from left to right.

I'm going to try to give detailed directions on reverse single crochet (rev sc/rsc) in my own words.  The stitch instructions can also be found in the back of most crochet books where the stitches are explained.  And, if you Google reverse single crochet (rev sc/rsc), I'm sure you will also find some video tutorials as well. 

Step-by-Step - Reverse Single Crochet

(rev sc/rsc)

Step 1:  Hold your project with the right side facing you.

Step 2:  I always chain 1 before I start my row (or round) of reverse single crochet (rev sc/rsc)

Step 3:  Insert your hook into the stitch to the right of your current stitch (you will be inserting your hook from the front of your work to the back).

Step 4:  Yarnover and pull a loop through your stitch, you'll have two loops on your hook.  (At this point I find it helpful to hold my hook horizontal to the top of my work.  This gives me a chance to make sure my stitches are not twisted or tangled over each other.  The loop you just pulled up will be closest to your hook and both loops should be level with each other.)

Step 5:  Holding your hook horizontally, yarnover and pull yarn through both loops on your hook. ( I try to keep my hook horizontal as I find it helps to keep my stitches even.)  

One reverse single crochet (rev sc/rsc) made. 

You'll need to complete five or six stitches before you'll be able to really see the cording emerge.  (Note:  You want to pull your stitches firmly, but not too tightly or else your fabric will pull.)

So, there you have it!  :-)

Reverse single crochet (rev sc/rsc), is probably one of my favorite ways to complete a project.  It creates a nice firm and professional finish.  I think this edge resembles a corded edging that you might find on a commercial item.

Good luck and I hope you've found this helpful.

HDP

In The Beginning...

My mom used to crochet when I was little.  She took some classes in the evening and I remember her making these hats for my sister and me.  She also made a couple of afghans in harvest gold and avocado green.  I remember asking her to "show me how" and she taught me how to make my chain stitches.  But at that time, that was as far as I got...

Fast forward to modern times....

About 4 years ago, I was looking for something to do in the evenings while my husband watched TV.  I started with a little needlepoint kit I had, but soon discovered my eyes just weren't good enough for the little stitches.  Then, I remembered my grandmother had taught me to knit when I was a preteen, so I looked at my minimal knitting supplies and just couldn't get excited about that either.

So, the next time I went to the library, I found some books on crochet that piqued my interest.  I checked out a few, bought a hook and yarn at my local craft store, and started playing around with it.  The rest, as the saying goes, is history; I was "hooked".  I've been crocheting up a storm every since.

My mom doesn't crochet any more, I think she stopped sometime in the 70's.  So, with that being said, I felt it was my obligation to make an afghan for everyone in the family.  :-)

Most people in my family have at least one blanket I've made for them, some have more.  One of the very first projects I made was this afghan for my sister and her husband.  I made it with Red Heart Super Saver yarn in "sage".  As far as I know, it's still holding up and they are using it.

 What are some of your first projects?  How did you fall in love with your craft?

HDP

On the Hook...

I have a new project on my hook....

I'm making a shawl from The Crocheted Prayer Shawl Companion.  The one I chose is called Sister's Shawl; it's a very pretty pattern with a soft texture.  

I'm using Red Heart Soft yarn in Toast.  I decided to use a larger hook than called for as I wanted the stitch pattern to be a bit more open and lacy than the picture showed.  I like the warmth of the color I selected and since it's neutral, it will go with anything.

The pattern is working up really quickly and I don't think this will take longer than a few days to a week to complete.  I'll probably do a different border than the one pictured in the book; I'm thinking some sort of shell...

If you like to make shawls, I highly recommend the book.  There are a nice variety of patterns ranging from Easy to Intermediate, with the majority of the patterns falling into the Easy category.  

I'm enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon doing the things I like to do.  I hope you are as well...

HDP

The Sun Came Out!

The sun decided to shine her glorious face on us today...

and we had the opportunity to explore our yard...

after the long winter...

and visit with summertime friends...

hello little frog...

hello old turtle...

 

hello rascally rabbit...

Until we meet again...

HDP

Daydreaming...

As I looked out on the gray day this morning...

I started to daydream...

about a warmer climate...

bright sunshine...

walking barefoot in the sand...

and the fresh smell of an ocean breeze...

I love Microsoft clip art.  

It can really brighten up a day.  

:-)

It won't be long until spring is here....

I'm looking forward to my springtime walks through the neighborhood, watching everything awaken and come back to life.

Wishing you tranquility in your day and a wonderful weekend ahead.

HDP

Good Advice...

This evening...

as we were sitting around the dinner table eating supper...

dear husband was telling me how a lady he worked with was sick with a really bad cold...

  He said, "I hope I don't get it."  

Before I could comment...

darling son...

with all his 5 years of wisdom...

said, "Daddy, don't kiss her."  

:-)

 Good advice from my dear son!  

HDP

A Quiet Day Planned...

I have a quiet day planned for today...

With an early start on my housework, I'm feeling pretty confident I'll have some time today to play with my new yarn...

My mom sent me a gift card to Michael's a few weeks ago.  With all the bad weather we've had, I haven't ventured out to do much shopping, but did end up going out one day last week.  Red Heart Soft was on sale for $2.49 each so I picked out some pretty colors.  Also, I haven't used Red Heart Super Saver in a long time, so I selected a couple skeins of that as well.  

I'm hoping I can get some ideas I have floating around in my head transferred to hook and yarn, then written out on paper...

Dear son is a little under the weather with a stomach bug or something.  I'm letting him sleep in and no school today.  Trying to keep a 5 year old on the sofa is no small task in itself, but I hope I can encourage him with some board games...

...and puzzles.  One of the small Valentine's treats we gave the little one, was a new box of 96 colorful crayons...nothing like a new box of crayons to light up an imagination.  

Hopefully a quiet day of restful play and he'll be feeling better soon...

Joy in a planned quiet day...and looking forward to some productive creativity...

HDP

Happy Valentine's Day!

The best and most beautiful things in the world

cannot be seen or even touched - 

they must be felt with the heart. 

 - Helen Keller -

Wishing you and yours

a day full of love and smiles;

colorful flowers and your favorite chocolates...

Happy Valentine's Day!

HDP

Thank You...

Yesterday I reached a little milestone on my blog...

100 Followers!

:-)

Thank you for choosing to follow my blog...

and 

thank you for taking time to leave comments when you can.

Wishing you a bouquet day!

Thank You

HDP

Hearts...A Cake...And Flowers...

Inspired by the beautiful hearts that Sarah is making over on Sarah's Sweethearts, I started looking through some of my crochet magazines for something fun to make for Valentine's day...

I found a cute little heart garland that is made in thread.  I didn't have any pink thread and with the snow coming down, it wasn't the time to head to Michael's or Joanne's.  So I dug out some 100% cotton yarn and made this cute heart.  The pattern is in Crochet World, February 2010 issue.  I used an "f" hook to try to keep it smaller in size.  I thought I'd make several to set on the table for a festive Valentine feel...

This past weekend, dear hubby celebrated one of those mid-decade birthdays.....

We had plans to go out to dinner and see a movie, but hubby was feeling a little under the weather, so I picked up some juicy thick rib eyes, baking potatoes, and made asparagus casserole for his special dinner...it was a relaxing and enjoyable celebration. 

I thought I'd leave you with my friendly bouquet of flowers that the hubster brought me more than 10 days ago......

..and, they are still pretty.  I love daisies.  There is something so beautiful in their simplicity...

Joy in the simple beauties in life.

HDP

Waiting for Spring...

"There is no season such delight can bring,
As summer, autumn, winter and the spring."

- William Browne, Variety, 1630 -

Isn't it so true!  

At the end of each season, I look forward to the coming of the next and the specialness that particular season holds.  As I look out at the gray skies, brown grass highlighted by white snow, I look toward the renewal of spring.  I can almost see the buds on the trees, the daffodils popping up, and breathing in the fragrant fresh air on a morning walk.  

It won't be long and Spring will be here and I for one, can't wait!

Wishing you a day filled with visions of spring.

HDP

It's a New Me!

Isn't is wonderful how a little self pampering can put a lift in your step?

I usually take the inexpensive route and color my own hair.......nothing fancy, a little L'Oreal or Nice and Easy in a warm shade of brown......

But my hair had gotten so long and I was just dreading the whole process.  So I made an appointment with my hair stylist and had it done professionally.  What a treat! 

I did take my my own books to look through while I waited for the color to set.  But, for a little levity, I ended up browsing through the gossip magazines the salon provides loaded with photos of Hollywood's finest in their skimpiest swimsuits displaying their plastic surgeon's latest work...such a fantasy world they live in...  

Now the gray has magically disappeared, I feel 10  years younger....well, maybe 5....

I left the salon a new woman........I feel rested........refreshed and I'm walking a little lighter in my shoes.  I hope this feeling lasts a few days anyway.......maybe it will get me through to spring!  :-)

Joy in a little self pampering!

HDP

WOW! What a Storm!

We had a big ice storm here last night and lost power around 8:15ish, with no electricity until just after Midnight.  Nothing like the dead of winter with no heat.  Luckily, the house didn't get too cold in those 4 hours and we have plenty of crocheted blankets to keep us warm! 

I stumbled around looking for candles in the pitch black darkness, while dear husband looked for a flashlight.  Dear son soon claimed the flashlight as his own and was running around the house with the adventure of it all.

Ice was covering everything outside.  It was raining icicles from the sky and the wind was blowing...it was a storm of epic proportions (I might be exaggerating a bit).  

This morning, there isn't a trace of ice on the trees......a very "Twilight Zone" type of thing.  It is plenty cold though with temperatures in the 20's.

Worst part about the storm are all the branches down in the yard....and one HUGE tree limb down in the front yard...that just lays there...resting casually between our light post and our River Birch...like it's been there all along.

I'm not sure what type of weather we have in store for us today, but I do have to say, this has been one strange (weather related) winter!

Thankfully, no damage!

HDP